Clogged drains bring chaos and inconvenience, but fear not! The cost of fixing them can be a thing of the past. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to keep your drains flowing smoothly.
Natural remedies like a baking soda and vinegar reaction can help dislodge simple clogs, such as those caused by soap scum or grease. Use a plumbing snake or plastic drain cleaning tool for more stubborn clogs.
Don’t Flush Hair Down the Drain
Hair is a common cause of drain clogs. It can get caught in your drains if it lasts long and doesn’t dissolve in water. Shower and bathtub drains should be regularly cleared of hairs and other debris using a bottle brush or plunger.
Place mesh filters in all your drains, particularly bathtub and shower drains. This will prevent hair, food particles, and other gunk from getting into your pipes. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to prevent clogs!
Don’t Overfill Sinks
Clogged drains can be very messy and frustrating to deal with. But there are some things you can do to help prevent them from happening in the first place.
Keep your drains clean using a hair catcher in the shower and a plunger in the sink. Also, ensure to empty garbage disposals periodically and clean their traps. Certain foods like flour, coffee grounds, egg shells, and rice expand when they enter the water, causing blockages. Also, avoid dumping fats, grease, or oils down the drain; these solidify and stick to the pipes.
Don’t Overfill Toilets
A toilet overflowing is not only a nuisance but also a safety hazard. It is typically caused by a blocked drain that must be attended to immediately by a professional plumber.
Essential cleanliness and maintenance can prevent many drain clogs from occurring. Always use a hair catcher in the shower and clean your sink stoppers periodically. Never flush anything other than waste and toilet paper down your toilet; feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, Q-tips, writing, and soap bits should all go in the trash can. Also, avoid pouring cooking grease down your drains, as it can stick to the pipes and cause a clog.
Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain
Grease will cling to other garbage and cause a buildup that can impede proper draining. Instead, dispose of oil in a dedicated container that can be thrown away once it solidifies.
Hot water can help liquefy and flush grease, but keeping grease out of your pipes is best. If you notice a grease buildup, try using a plumbing snake to remove it. If a clog persists, it may be time to call in the pros. Then, you can prevent future damage and save money in the process.
Don’t Pour Oil Down the Drain
One of the best and cheapest ways to avoid drain clogs is by performing basic cleaning and maintenance. Many typical clogs result from materials slowly accumulating inside your pipes over time.
Oil can coat and damage your drain pipes and sewer lines. Even if you chase it with hot water, the liquid will harden and catch other debris. It’s best to err on caution and put cooking oils into a container for disposal. This will keep your home safe and the environment free from major sewer backup problems.
Don’t Pour Chemicals Down the Drain
A clogged drain can be expensive and frustrating to deal with. It can also cause damage to your pipes. If you are trying to avoid these issues, it is best not to pour chemicals down your drain.
While pouring that quarter bottle of hairspray or sunscreen down the drain may not seem like a big deal, those little liquids can add up and cause a clog over time. The same goes for other products such as paint and cooking fats. They will stick to the insides of your drain and pipes and clog them over time.
Don’t Overuse Plungers
Clogged drains can cause severe problems. It is best to prevent them from occurring in the first place. However, if a DIY solution doesn’t work, it is best to call professional help from clogged drain repair in New Braunfels, Texas.
A plumbing snake (available at home centers and hardware stores) is an excellent tool for breaking up stubborn clogs. Push it into the drain until you feel resistance or hook into something, then twist and pull to break it up and remove it. Be careful to use this tool sparingly. It can damage pipes if done too often.
Don’t Overuse Drain Cleaners
Clogged drains aren’t just a nuisance; they can lead to expensive plumbing repairs. The good news is many clogs are preventable!
Ensure to run hot water down every drain after each use and clean your p-trap weekly. And don’t forget to keep a few household items handy, like a basic plunger and white vinegar. When you mix these ingredients, they can create a foam that powers through clogs and drain buildup. Try it! It’s safe and effective. Plus, it’s cheaper than calling a plumber.
Don’t Overuse Drain Deodorizers
Clogged drains can be a huge hassle and expensive to repair. It’s essential to be mindful of what you put down your drains to prevent clogs from occurring in the first place.
Hair clogs, food & grease buildup, and non-food items (such as toys, gum, and paper product labels) can cause severe problems for your home’s plumbing. Fortunately, homeowners can use several easy at-home drain cleaning techniques to keep their pipes clog-free. Using these methods regularly can prevent the need for professional drain cleaning and repairs in the future.
Don’t Overuse Drain Cleaners
Clogged drains can be extremely costly and often require professional help. But if you take the time to learn some simple strategies, you can limit the buildup and prevent future drain clogs.
For the simplest way to unclog a drain, try plunging. You can use any bell-shaped plunger that covers the drain completely (Photo 2). Start by forcing air out of the pipes, then pump vigorously in and out. Keep up the effort 15 to 20 times or until the water flows freely. Then flush with hot water.
