Homeowners who have experienced clogged drains understand how messy, inconvenient, and sometimes expensive it can get to get rid of the clogs. A home’s drainage system is an intricate system of pipes connected to safely eliminate solid waste and wastewater and prevent sewer gas from making its way into the home’s living spaces. Unfortunately, as the drains remain out of sight, most people often ignore them, resulting in clogs and other severe plumbing issues.
The only way to keep the drains functioning optimally and ensure the good overall health of the home plumbing system is to invest in their regular care and maintenance.
Here is a simple maintenance guide for homeowners to help them keep their drains clog-free and in the best possible shape:
Do not put certain items down the drains
An essential thing that every family member should understand is that they should never put certain items down the drain. For example, avoid pouring liquid fats, oil, and grease into the drain. When these substances cool, they solidify and cling to the inside of the pipes, eventually leading to severe clogs.
Some other things that should not enter the drains are eggshells, coffee grounds, fruit peels, unused medications, hair, soap scum, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, diapers, and toxic chemicals. Consider installing drain traps over the sink opening to collect hair, soap scum, and food crumbs and prevent them from flowing down the drain.
Follow the best DIY drain cleaning practices
Another tip for drain upkeep is to flush them with hot water every week, especially the kitchen drains. After pouring hot water, open the taps to let the cold water run. While the hot water cleans trapped particles and loosens the debris, cold water flushes out the loosened materials to clean the drains. Alternatively, pour a half-cup of baking soda into the drains, then pour an equal quantity of vinegar. Let it sit overnight before flushing out the drain with hot water.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners
Although chemical drain cleaners may seem effective in breaking down the clogs, experts do not recommend using them as they do more harm than good. The problem with drain cleaners is they contain harmful chemicals, and their repeated use can damage the pipes and cause more clogs. In addition, over-the-counter drain cleaners can create toxic fumes and lead to chemical burns. They are also dangerous for children and also harmful to the environment.
Keep clog removal tools handy
Every household should have essential tools like an auger, drain snake, and plunger to remove big and small clogs and keep the drains clean. These tools help unclog drains and prevent plumbing disasters. While plungers work well on minor clogs, a snake can clear stubborn clogs.
Call a professional plumber for occasional drain cleaning
Invest in annual drain cleaning by professionals to ensure they perform seamlessly throughout the year. Regular inspections and cleaning by a trained and qualified plumber prevent major clogs and other severe drain issues down the line. Calling a professional to clean the drains yearly is far less expensive than dealing with significant clogs and plumbing emergencies.
Practicing regular drain maintenance keeps the drain functioning like new. Reach out to a local plumber to learn more ways to clean and maintain the drains.
Royalty Plumbing offers high-quality residential plumbing services in the areas of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin.