One of the common plumbing issues most people face is clogged drains. About 15% of homeowners spend most of their time trying to fix blocked pipes, which can be a hassle and cause delays in their daily chores. But the thing is, drains don’t get clogged overnight. It usually starts when things like hair, food particles, fruit seeds, and other debris are thrown into the kitchen or bathroom drainage. Over time, all these objects will build up, block the drains, and eventually cause leaks, flooding, and sewage backup.
Although clogged drains are reparable, having them fixed will cost you a lot of money and time. Thus, it’s certainly easier and cheaper to know the maintenance and preventative tips to avoid this problem in the future. This article will show you some practical tips to maintain a clog-free drain and prevent any blockages from happening in your home.
Table of contents
- 1. Schedule regular drain cleaning and maintenance with professionals
- 2. Upgrade old pipes
- 3. Pay attention to your water heater
- 4. Invest in drain guards/drain protectors
- 5. Collect grease and used cooking oil in jars
- 6. Flush your drain with hot water and dish soap
- 7. Be conscious of what you flush down the drain
- Wrapping Up
1. Schedule regular drain cleaning and maintenance with professionals
Like other aspects of your home, your plumbing system requires regular cleaning and maintenance, particularly your drains. This is even more important if it’s been a long time since you’ve had the drains cleaned or if you’ve recently moved to a new home and are unsure if the drains were well-maintained and regularly cleaned. Issues like the sink flooding or leaking could already mean the drains had been clogged for a long time.
In this case, you can search online for a “plumber near me” and let the professionals do the cleaning. They have the specialized tools and products necessary for cleaning drains and clearing clogs to prevent future blockages. Furthermore, hiring professional plumbers will save you time and money, as they can help prevent any drainage-related issue before it escalates.
2. Upgrade old pipes
The average life span of pipes can be between 40 to 70 years, depending on the type of material and the environment they’re used in. Once these pipes are old or have reached their intended life expectancy, they tend to rust and corrode, and their interior surfaces become rough and pitted. As a result, food particles, hair, and other debris could easily snag within the pipes and accumulate to form clogs.
Thus, if you notice water draining slower than usual and you’re aware that your pipes are aging, consider replacing them to ensure they stay clog-free and clean. You may browse for “plumber near me Centennial, CO” or other plumbing services in your local area and let them replace your old pipes with new ones. This will help prevent future clog problems and improve your plumbing system’s overall efficiency.
3. Pay attention to your water heater
Clogged drains can also happen in your water heater, often due to the excess sediment build-up inside the tank. When it’s not checked and drained regularly, the sediment will clog the drain valve, reducing the overall efficiency of the water heater unit.
Thus, plumbers recommend flushing your water heater yearly to remove sediment build-up and avoid a clogged drain valve. This video explains the importance of flushing your water heater and the best time to do it:
You may also call professional plumbers so they can flush the water heater for you.
4. Invest in drain guards/drain protectors
Drain guards or drain protectors can help prevent hair, food particles, and other items from going down the drains and causing clogs. They are also handy in catching objects that you might accidentally drop while doing chores, such as jewelry. Be sure to buy drain guards of the right size and shape for your drainage so you can be worry-free.
5. Collect grease and used cooking oil in jars
Approximately 47% of blocked sewage flows and drainage systems are caused by grease. Some people may have the habit of immediately washing pots and pans filled with grease or cooking oil, pouring the substance into the kitchen sink instead of disposing of it properly. Unfortunately, when these liquids are poured down the drain, they’ll soon solidify and stick to the debris in your plumbing pipes, forming clogs and blockages.
To avoid this, make sure to remove as much oil, fat, and grease from your cookware and dishes as you can before washing them in the sink. You may collect them in a jar and dispose of them properly once the jar is full.
6. Flush your drain with hot water and dish soap
Even after you’ve removed most of the oil and grease from the dishes and cookware, there may be little globs of the substance left, and they’ll still end up in your drain when you wash them off in the sink. Fortunately, you can prevent them from accumulating and building up over time in your pipe walls by flushing your drain with a mixture of steaming hot water and dish soap. Do this for about 20 seconds to help loosen the grease and flush it out of your plumbing system.
7. Be conscious of what you flush down the drain
The people in control of what clogs your drain are none other than yourself and the people in your household. Thus, the easiest tip to maintain a clog-free drain is to be mindful of what you flush in it. Everyone in the household must know not to throw or flush the following items down the kitchen or bathroom drainage:
- Food scraps
- Grease and other oil-based products
- Trash (even small pieces)
- Hair
- Cotton products (e.g., paper towels, wipes, and tissues)
- Dental floss
- Bandages
Keeping these things out of your drains will protect your pipes and overall plumbing system from clogs and blockages.
Wrapping Up
Keeping your drains clean and clog-free must be among your priorities when it comes to home maintenance. With the tips above, you can maintain your drainage system and prevent any potential blockages in the future. But if you have any concerns or questions regarding your drains, you can always contact your trusted plumber for help.