Cleaning household drains isn’t typically at the top of someone’s list of favorite things to do. While professional plumbers take satisfaction in clearing clogs that disrupt water flow, it’s always better to prevent them from developing.
If you’ve been avoiding cleaning the household drains, then it helps to know that a small amount of effort goes a long way toward keeping them clear. In fact, drain cleaning should only take you a few minutes each week. Following this guide protects your home’s plumbing system and gives you confidence that the water runs smoothly away from your house.
Prevent Drain Clogs From Forming
Drain clogs are typically made up of multiple types of debris. In the kitchen, you can prevent drain clogs by learning how to use the garbage disposal properly. Certain types of foods, such as potato peels, won’t break down well in the disposal.
Making sure to avoid putting fibrous foods down the disposal prevents it from clogging. You’ll also want to run cold water as you use the disposal and leave it on for around 30 seconds after you finish.
For the rest of the drains in your house, make sure that only water and the expected types of waste go down the pipes. In the bathroom, this might mean placing strainers over the drains to stop hair from going down.
Preventing solid objects from entering the pipes can dramatically reduce your need to call for emergency drain clearing.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Dealing with a clog generates a sense of urgency. Although you may feel pressured to quickly clear your household drains, using the wrong type of cleaner can do more harm than good. Many of the drain cleaners you’ll find on the grocery store shelf contain caustic chemicals.
The harsh chemicals can cause corrosion in the pipes, which leads to breaks and leaks. If you don’t follow the instructions for proper use, you could also face potential injuries due to chemical burns on your skin. Breathing in the fumes can also cause respiratory distress.
Professional plumbers carefully choose the drain-clearing methods they use to prevent personal injuries and damage to the pipes and the environment. Since some drain clogs are the result of tree limbs growing into the pipes, drain cleaners might not even work.
When we arrive at a house with a major backup, we use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose the source of the clog. Then, we can choose the most effective way to resolve the problem.
Choose Safe Cleaning Methods For Household Drains
Fortunately, addressing minor buildup in the drains can help prevent clogs that can lead to mold growth and other issues in your home. Once a week, you can pour hot water down the drain to help break down soap residue and flush the waste through the pipes.
On a monthly basis, you’ll want to do a deeper cleaning of the household drains. To do so, simply put one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar down the drain’s opening. The acidic nature of the vinegar combined with the bubbling effect the combination generates helps to break up debris.
After letting the solution sit for an hour, you can then flush the drains with hot water. On top of reducing buildup in the drains, this method also has a deodorizing effect that improves the smells in your kitchens and bathrooms.
Learn How to Safely Remove Small Clogs
Sometimes, clogs develop near the drain opening, allowing you to remove them yourself. Usually, this occurs somewhere between the opening and the p-trap. For example, you might notice hair accumulating around the stopper in the bathtub drain. When this happens, you can often remove the stopper and pull off the hair around it.
Using a plumber’s snake could also be an option for minor clog clearing. However, you’ll need to be cautious if you choose this option. Sometimes, you might accidentally push the clog deeper into the line and create a blockage that is harder for you to reach.
If you have any doubts about clearing a clog or fear you’ve made the problem worse, then contact a plumber right away. Our team understands your desire to remove a clog as quickly as possible, and we’ll help you schedule services as soon as possible.
Watch for the Early Warning Signs of Clogs and Backups
Most of the time, you can notice warning signs of a clog starting to develop. Slow drainage is a serious signal that something is happening further down the line. If you need to wait excessive amounts of time for the water to go down, then there is almost certainly something blocking its passage down the pipe.
Unpleasant odors are also a common sign of a clog developing. Food and other debris that sticks in the pipes will eventually begin to generate bacterial growth that causes foul scents. Hearing gurgling noises could also mean that air bubbles are forming as the water tries to push through debris.
When you call for drain cleaning, let the plumbing team know about any unusual signs you witness. If you’re dealing with a water backup, then we’ll schedule your appointment with urgency. As we like to say, “If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.”
On top of making sure you can use your bathroom and kitchen comfortably, eliminating clogs ensures your house stays sanitary and hygienic.
Plan for Annual Professional Drain Cleaning
Over time, larger amounts of debris can build up deeper within the plumbing lines. Professional plumbers use special techniques to perform thorough drain cleanings that halt major issues. During the annual drain cleaning services, our crew can also perform an inspection of your home’s plumbing system.
This is also a good time to mention any issues that you notice developing such as gurgling coming from the home’s fixtures. As with many types of plumbing maintenance, taking care of small issues early gives you the best results.
Know When to Call a Plumber for Sudden Clogs
Even with routine cleaning, household drains are susceptible to clogs that can develop over time. If you notice the signs of a clog, then reach out for help. Our crew at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is equipped to clear drain clogs safely and quickly.
We can also help you schedule annual drain cleaning that eliminates the risk of hazardous backups. Give us a call today to clear any worries you have about drain cleaning from your mind.
