Clogged drains come in many forms. Whether you’re watching the water in your toilet get perilously close to the rim or you find yourself standing in ankle-deep water as you shower, having a drain clog is no fun.
While many clogs can be solved with relative ease, that’s not always the case. When your system clogs over and over again, it usually means that there’s a more significant problem. Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can prevent clogs from occurring in the first place, which can help to keep your plumbing system from developing these more problematic blockages.
Watch the Kitchen Sink
One of the most common reasons for clogs in your kitchen sink is that someone has put the wrong things down the drain. If you’re disposing of cooking grease, for instance, you should avoid putting it down the sink. No matter how hot your water gets, it won’t be hot enough to prevent the grease from sticking to the sides of your drain, and that build-up can cause major problems down the road.
You should also avoid putting food waste down the drain, even with a disposal. While a garbage disposal can help to grind up anything that makes its way into the drain, it’s not meant to process all of your food waste, including vegetable peels and coffee grounds.
Hairnets for Your Drains
Hair is one of the biggest culprits for clogs in tubs and showers. While brushing or combing your hair before getting into the shower can help, the best solution is to get a cover for your drain. Available in stainless steel or silicone, these covers trap hair, while allowing the water to pass through.
Clear Your Pop-Up Sink Stoppers
While these built-in stoppers are convenient, they also tend to collect hair and other debris, as well as soap scum and other gross stuff. While it helps to keep clogs from forming further down your drain, it can create a blockage on its own. That’s why it’s important to occasionally clean your built-in stopper, which is easily removed from under your sink. Getting rid of the hair and soap scum should keep your drain flowing nicely.
Flush Your Pipes
While this is especially good advice for sinks or tubs that don’t get a lot of use, even drains you use every day can benefit from being flushed with hot water. You can fill up your tub with hot water and let it drain or run hot water through your sinks and showers. Doing this can help keep any build-up on the sides of your drains from hardening, which would then require much more intensive cleaning.
Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like a Trashcan.
Out of sight, out of mind, right? While it’s tempting to imagine that everything you flush down a toilet disappears, the fact is that it has to go somewhere. That usually involves narrower pipes than you might imagine. When it comes to your toilets, you should only flush human waste and toilet paper, which is designed to break down quickly.
Avoid flushing paper towels, dental floss, hygiene products, or anything else that doesn’t degrade fast. This includes so-called flushable wipes, which are increasingly notorious for causing clogs. While these products may all go down the hole, there’s a good chance that sooner or later, they’ll create a significant clog—and a massive headache for you.
Just Say No to Chemical “Cleaners”
While several chemical cleaning products promise to remove clogs and remove the build-up on your pipes, the harsh nature of these cleaners can end up doing more harm than good. Instead, opt for biological enzymes or bacterial cleaners. These natural products will eat away at the sludge in your drains without harming your plumbing.
Regular Maintenance
The best way to avoid having to search for “clogged drain repair near me” is to have your plumbing system regularly serviced by a licensed and insured plumber. You should have your plumbing inspected at least annually, during which a plumber will review your entire system and provide cleaning and repairs to keep your water flowing properly.
A plumber can catch problems that you might not be able to, including degrading piping, slow leaks, and damage caused by tree roots and other underground issues. Bringing in a professional to keep your plumbing in top shape won’t just save you money—it’ll give you peace of mind.
Clogged Drain Repair Near Me
If you need a clogged drain fixed or you’d like to schedule an inspection, contact us at Moffett Plumbing today! Our team can’t wait to serve in communities within and near Orange County, CA.
Having issues with your garbage disposal? Call Tom Moffett Plumbing today at (714) 541-6407 or contact us online for service!