Clogged drains are one of the most common causes of plumbing problems. A simple clog can cause drains to back up, making a big mess and even doing some damage to your home. Luckily, performing a bit of routine maintenance on your drains can help prevent serious clogs from ever occurring. So, take a few minutes and do these tasks today.
Shower or tub drains. We all shed hair daily, and a lot of it ends up in the shower or tub drain. This is a particularly bad problem for those of you with long hair. Most hardware stores actually sell a nifty device that will only set you back a few dollars, but it is invaluable for removing hair clogs in drains. Look for a long, plastic device with “teeth”. Using this tool once or twice per month can remove most of the hair that ends up in your shower drain.
Another bathroom tip. Pour about one tablespoon of table salt into your sink or tub drain, then follow with ¼ cup of plain vinegar. Wait about an hour, and then flush the drain with hot water.
Kitchen sink. Every so often after cleaning your kitchen sink, pour a small amount of bleach down the drain and let it sit for an hour or so. Then flush with hot water. Remember, if you avoid washing any grease down your kitchen sink, you’re much less likely to experience bad clogs. When you do wash greasy pots and pans, use a paper towel to remove as much grease as possible and throw it in the trash. Then use plenty of quality detergent when cleaning your dishes. Also, if you don’t have a sink trap for the kitchen, it’s time to buy one and remember to use it each time you wash dishes.
Flush your garbage disposal with cold water, not hot. Hot water keeps grease in a more liquid state, helping it to coat the insides of your pipes. Always flush your disposal with cold water instead.
Dishwasher trap. In the bottom of your dishwasher is a small “trap” or screen that catches food particles. Remember to clean it regularly, and you can prevent wastewater backup from your dishwasher.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, clogs are just going to happen. Give us a call at the first sign of a clog, so that we can take care of it before you have a major backup problem on your hands.
