4 Tips For Avoiding Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are a common problem for homeowners – happens to the best of us. Clogged drains, if left alone for long enough, can have a serious impact on your plumbing and cause more serious issues down the road. That is why it is so essential for you to take care of things like this as soon as possible.
However, the best solution is prevention, not repair. Make sure that you are doing everything you can to properly maintain your pipes on a regular basis. There’s nothing worse than having clogged drains, but luckily you can avoid them by following these simple rules.
KNOW WHAT CAN’T GO DOWN THE DRAIN
There are a number of things that aren’t supposed to go into drains or garbage disposals. If you are questioning whether or not something should go in the garbage disposal, don’t do it! Chances are that it will do more bad than good, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are quite a few things that you should definitely never put down your drain. First, and most damaging, on the list is grease. Grease can solidify in your pipes and cause a major build-up that’s expensive to repair. It sticks to the sides of your pipes and builds up over time.
Also, remember that garbage disposals don’t work great with all foods. Fibrous foods, such as broccoli or celery, are bad to put down the drain. The stringy structure of these items are problematic for the garbage disposal. Obviously, don’t put non-food items in the garbage disposal, either. By putting only recommended foods down your disposal you can keep your drain damage free for years to come.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Often times clogged drains can be attributed to a build-up over time. The best way to prevent this is to take an offensive approach. Every time you put food in your garbage disposal, run the drain a little longer than you think is necessary. The extra couple of seconds of water every time you use the garbage disposal can push small particles through instead of allowing them to stick.
It is also a good idea to take the initiative and pour boiling water down your drain about once a week as well. The hot water facilitates the breakdown of items that have built up in your drains. Something else you can do is take time to clean your drains on a regular basis. By doing that you are preventing buildup from happening and can make sure your pipes are staying healthy and clean.
CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS
Sometimes hot water won’t be able to do the trick. Luckily, there are tons of products out there that will do wonders on your drain, such as sulfuric acid 25% and 50%. This type of product is colorless, so it will not stain or leave much of a mark. It is also extremely corrosive when mixed with water. There are also tons of other name brand cleaners that can be a great help as well. If you pour something like this down your drain you can help take down build up and get your drain unclogged in no time!
CHECK THAT YOUR PLUMBING IS WORKING WELL
Sometimes drain problems are a lot more intense than you realize. If you are having regular problems, be sure to contact a plumber as soon as possible. The longer damage is left untreated, the worse the damage can get. Extensive damage also means a bigger bill, too.
Always call sooner, rather than later. By doing that you can end up saving yourself a lot of money and can avoid the problem getting worse. That is also why it is a good idea for you to regularly be checking up on your pipes. That way you can make sure that there are no problems and nothing is looking out of the ordinary. The sooner you catch a potential issue, the better.
Thank you for reading. I hope you found this information useful.
Jeff Pittman, Realtor in Ladera Ranch – Orange County, California