Clogged drains are a common problem in many homes. They can occur in the kitchen, bathroom, or sewer lines,and many factors cause these issues.
Fortunately, they are preventable if you take timely precautions.
This discussion focuses on ten preventive tips that will save you clogged drain headaches.
Keep reading to discover more and stay on top of the preventive game.
1. Don’t Pour Leftover Food in the Drains
Pouring leftover foods in the kitchen drains is a direct ticket to clogged drain challenges.
All coffee grounds, banana peels, eggshells, and food fragments shouldn’t enter the drains.
You have to dispose of these food remains in trashes or compost heaps.
2. Know Where to Pour Grease
Grease is another leading culprit that blocks household drains.
Never pour it in the kitchen sink because it easily cools and solidifies, leading to clogged drains by sticking to the drain pipes.
Instead, pour all grease in a sealable container in the trash.
3. Pour Hot Water Down the Drain
You can also prevent drain clogging by regularly pouring hot water down your kitchen sink.
Doing it every week melts all the grease or fat that was accidentally collected inside the drain pipes.
Be sure to do it slowly and avoid splashing the water lest you burn yourself.
Further, you can throw a handful of baking soda into the drain before pouring the hot water.
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent that also absorbs foul odors the sink might emit. It leaves the sink smelling like a rose.
4. Keep Soap Scum and Hair Out of Bathroom Drains
Keeping hair and soap scum out of your bathroom’s drains is another way of preventing drain clogging.
You can cover your tub and shower drains with a hair catcher to stop hair from running down the drains.
Alternatively, replace your shower or tub stopper with one that has a built-in screen.
5. Never Pour Paint or Paint Thinner Down Your Drains
Do you have painting projects on your compound? If you do, never pour paint or paint thinner down the drains.
It’s safe to pour the remaining paint or thinner in another location. It’s critical to confirm your local paint disposal laws before pouring it.
This step is critical because it will save you legal battles revolving around environmental degradation.
Why shouldn’t you pour paint or paint thinner down the drains? Because these products can damage our drains and pipes.
6. Proper Drain System Maintenance
Proper and regular drain system maintenance is another preventive measure that guarantees you clog-free drains.
Ensure that all your pool, floor, and laundry drains are assembled correctly.
Cover all open drains with strainers to stop soap scraps and other objects from falling into drains.
You also need to equip your floor drains with backflow prevention tools and straining plates. Otherwise, their blockage could cause flooding.
7. Flush the Toilet in Bits When Necessary
It isn’t a must to flush the toilet once. Special situations arise when you have to flush down some stuff in bits, twice or thrice.
It’s prudent to wait until the bowl is full again before flushing. Otherwise, you might end up with a big toilet mess.
You can also teach the kids the same thing. For example, tell them not to flush excess toilet paper down the toilet at once.
8. Your Home Septic System Regularly
If you have a septic system in your home, make a point to inspect it after a few years.
This inspection lets you detect any possible issues and promptly act before they spiral out of control.
You have to hire professionals with the right tools to inspect the system because they are better placed to give you an accurate diagnosis.
9. Use a Sink Strainer
Fitting your kitchen sink with a strainer is another way of protecting your clogs against blockage.
It pays off to invest in a high-quality filter because it will save you costly unclogging repairs.
Ensure that the strainer fits the sink well. If you buy a smaller one, it’s most likely to fall in, while a larger one will still allow food to slip through into the drain.
Lastly, ensure that the strainer is in place before washing your dishes.
10. Remove and Clean Stoppers
Removing stoppers from tubs or sinks is normal.
However, the removal can accumulate grime that can accidentally end up in the drain, causing clogging.
Thus, keep removing and cleaning the stoppers. It’s also critical to master how to replace them before removing them.
Otherwise, you might end up in a bigger problem.
There you have it. Go ahead and use these tips to prevent clogging in your drain systems and enjoy peace of mind in your home.
