Drains have a way of clogging at the most inopportune moments, whether it’s your kitchen sink drain unable to flow freely when you are getting ready for a big holiday meal or your shower drain not opening up while guests are staying with you from out of town. Although it is not possible to stop every drain clog from forming, there are steps you can take to prevent many of the more common types of clogs.
Here is a look at 11 ways you can prevent the drains in your home from clogging.
Bathrooms
There are several ways you can prevent clogs in the drains in your bathroom sink, shower, bathtub, and toilet.
Clean Your Drain Stoppers Regularly
One of the most effective methods of preventing clogged drains in your bathroom sink and tub is by cleaning your drain stoppers regularly. Hair and soap scum are prone to collecting in these stoppers, and they can slow down drainage over time and lead to full blockages in your drains.
Do Not Flush Anything Other Than Toilet Paper
It is also important to avoid flushing paper products or anything else down the toilet. Besides human waste, toilet paper is the only material that is suitable for flushing in a toilet. Nevertheless, it is important to avoid using excess paper as it can clog the toilet and potentially even the entire sewer system.
Brush Your Hair Before Showering
Another way you can reduce the potential for clogged drains in your shower or bathtub is by brushing your hair prior to bathing. This helps remove loose hair and prevents it from clogging your shower drain.
Protect Your Drain When Bathing Pets
It is advisable to bathe dogs outdoors whenever possible. If this is not an option, however, and you must bathe your dog inside your shower or bathtub, place a washcloth over the drain before your pet gets in to prevent clogs. Experts say that the amount of hair dogs shed during a bath is enough to clog shower drains, even if they have been equipped with hair catchers.
Clean Your Drains Regularly
Once a week, pull out your bathroom sink’s pop-up drain stopper, remove any debris that you find in the drain, and then rinse the stopper thoroughly before replacing it. Moreover, you should also perform a similar procedure with the drain stopper in your shower or bathtub, using a hair-catching brush or a bent wire to remove any hair or other debris that you find.
Use Bacterial Drain Cleaners Regularly
Once a month, use a bacterial drain cleaner to maintain your drains. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, these products are not corrosive and are biodegradable, which means that they are unlikely to damage your pipes the way that other products can.
Kitchens
Extra care and a bit of preventive maintenance can go a long way toward preventing kitchen sink clogs.
Keep Food Scraps Out of the Drain
If your sink is not equipped with a garbage disposal, it is important to prevent food scraps from making their way down the drain. You can purchase a drain strainer to help stop food from going into and blocking the drain.
Don’t Place Problematic Foods in Your Disposal
If your sink is equipped with a garbage disposal, avoid putting problematic foods such as egg shells, potato skins, coffee grounds, and banana peels in it. These foods do not grind well and can build up over time to create clogs.
Run Cold Water While Using Your Disposal
Run a constant stream of cold water from your faucet each time you use your garbage disposal to ensure that waste material is carried away through your drainage system.
Flush Your Kitchen Sink Drain Regularly With Hot Water
Once a week, pour a kettle full of hot water down the drain to help melt away any grease or fat that may have collected in the pipes. Pour it slowly to prevent the possibility of splashing.
Keep Oil and Grease Out of Your Sink
Importantly, avoid pouring oil or grease down the sink drain. If you need to dispose of oil or grease, such as after frying food or cooking bacon, pour it into a sealable container and throw it in the garbage once it has cooled. Disposing of even a small amount of these substances down the drain can result in grease becoming stuck to the inside of the pipes, which is a common cause of kitchen sink clogs.
Reach Out to the Drain Maintenance Professionals at O’Connor Plumbing
Clogged drains are a common plumbing problem that may still occur from time to time, even if you take the right preventive measures. For help with a water or sewage backup, reach out to the experienced plumbing team at O’Connor Plumbing to learn more about our drain maintenance and repair services.