Keeping your drains clear and clog-free is essential for the proper function of your plumbing system.
A clogged drain can cause several problems, from water backing into your sink or shower to complete drainage failure. This guide will discuss some tips for keeping your drains clear and debris-free.
We’ll also cover some common causes of drain clogs and how to prevent them. Stay tuned for more helpful drainage tips!
How to Clear a Clogged Drain
One of the most frequent plumbing issues is clogged drains.
They are an annoying, messy problem that can ruin a day. Luckily, they can be easily fixed.
Here are some top tips to help you clear a clogged drain:
- See if pouring boiling water down the drain can clear the obstruction. Although it won’t always work, it’s worth a go.
- Try using vinegar, baking soda, and hot water for clogged drains. This can help break up the blockage and allow the water to flow freely.
- Try using a plunger to unclog the drain. A plunger will normally dislodge any large blockages in your pipes.
If all else fails, contact a local professional company for drainage repairs. They will be able to help fix problems in no time and offer many services such as drainage repairs, leaking and burst pipe water repairs, unblocking drains and drainage maintenance.
Common Causes of Drain Clogs
Clogs can be very frustrating for homeowners because getting rid of a clog usually means calling someone in.
However, some clogs are caused by a homeowner’s actions. For example, many people put grease down the sink or flush foreign objects down the toilet.
These actions can cause blockages. Other clogs can be the result of bad plumbing design or shoddy construction.
For example, cracks in a pipe can cause debris to accumulate and cause a blockage. Lastly, clogs can be caused by malfunctioning drain traps or drain pipes.
For example, if the drain pipe is misaligned, debris can build up and cause a clog. To help prevent clogs, clean grease traps and drains regularly and call a professional if you suspect a clog.
Inspect Your Drains Regularly for Clogs
You should set up scheduled maintenance and inspect your drainage systems and pipes for clogs regularly to help prevent future issues from occurring.
This will help you avoid costly repairs and inconveniences. By regularly inspecting and cleaning your drainage systems, you can prevent many common types of damage like leaks, flooding, and even fires due to accumulated grease buildup.
If you need any assistance with your drainage system, be sure to contact a qualified professional.
How to Prevent Drain Clogs
There are many ways in which you can prevent blocking up drains in your home in many ways.
The best way to prevent clogging is to be careful what you put down in your sinks, toilets, showers, and tubs. Below are some tips:
- Use small amounts of toilet paper.
- Only flush the human waste down the toilet.
- Clean out the tub plughole after use.
- Wash dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
- Do not pour grease down your kitchen sink.
- Keep food scraps out of your garbage disposal.
- Do not throw feminine hygiene products down the toilet.
- Do not flush paper towels or other paper products.
- Never put cotton swabs and other foreign objects down the toilet.
- Remove the hair from the bath or shower plughole.
- Keep your garden free from falling leaves and other debris.
What to Do if Your Drains Keep Getting Clogged?
Suppose your drainage keeps getting clogged regularly, and you have ruled out it being caused by anything in your household. In that case, it may be time to call a professional company to conduct regular maintenance checks on your drainage systems.
A professional company can conduct CCTV surveys on your drainage systems to help pinpoint where the problem lies. They can also carry out routine checks for cracks in your pipes and any other potential problem areas that may need repair.
Use a Drain Snake to Clear any Clogs That May Form
Other methods can help clear clogs from drainage and pipes.
For example, some people use snakes to dislodge clogs from drainage and pipes. “Drain Snakes”, otherwise known as “Plumber’s Snakes”, are flexible augers (drill bits) that are used for dislodging clogs in plumbing systems.
Plungers are not always strong enough to fix the problem, so snakes are used instead. A drain snake works by travelling forward until it hits the impediment or blockage in the line, at which point the snake turns its auger end to hook onto any clogs and draw them back out of the drain.
You can pick up a drain snake from your local hardware store. They usually come with a manual that gives instructions on how to use them properly and safely.
Always wear eye protection when using a “Drain Snake” and read the instructions carefully before using one! Be sure to avoid misusing these dangerous tools!
If you are unsure how to use these tools, you should contact a local professional company for assistance.
Pour a Pot of Boiling Water Down the Drain to Help Dissolve Any Built-up Grease or Hair
Hair and grease can build up in your sink over time and clog your drain.
This build-up can cause your sink to smell bad and make your kitchen look dirty. To get rid of this build-up, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain for 5–10 minutes.
This will dissolve the grease and hair and unclog your drain. You can then run hot water down the drain afterwards to help flush out the gunk and debris left behind.
There are some instances in which you might find this doesn’t work, and then you end up with a large amount of water sitting that won’t drain away. If this is the problem, then you will need to call a professional to fix it for you.
Be sure to keep children away from boiling water as it can cause serious injuries!
Use a Commercial Drain Cleaner Every Couple of Months to Keep Your Drains Free of Buildup
Drains are an amazing invention. They allow us to eliminate waste and wastewater from our homes and businesses.
However, drains can become clogged with grease, hair, and other waste products, which prevent them from functioning correctly. Using a commercial drain cleaner every couple of months can help prevent the buildup of waste in your drains.
Place a Screen Over Your Sink’s Drain to Catch Food Particles and Other Debris
You can purchase covers for your sink’s drainage holes, which will help catch food particles and other debris before they enter your kitchen or bathroom’s main drainage line.
These screens can be washed and kept clean with regular household cleaning products. These can help to prevent blockages in your kitchen’s drainage lines and keep the rest of your home free from odours and unpleasant smells.
You can pick up these covers at your local hardware store. These screens are designed to fit over standard-sized sinkholes.
You can also buy devices that sit in the plug hole and contain filters to catch food waste before it enters the pipe. These devices also help keep your kitchen free from unpleasant odours and prevent smelly water from backing into your bathroom.
Install a Garbage Disposal to Chop up Food Waste Before it Goes Down the Drain
Food waste is one of the biggest problems facing the environment today.
Each year, 40% of the food produced is wasted. This amounts to roughly 62 million tonnes of food loss.
To reduce food waste, many restaurants are installing garbage disposals. These machines quickly chop up food waste into pieces small enough to wash down the sink or drain.
This helps restaurants reduce their carbon footprints. As a result, garbage disposals help restaurants save money and limit their environmental impact.
That’s why installing garbage disposal is so important for restaurants today.
Conclusion
Clogged drains are a common household problem.
While they can be frustrating to deal with, there are things you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place and ways to deal with them if they do happen. We hope this guide has provided you with a few helpful tips for keeping your drains clear and running smoothly.
If you have any further questions or need help clearing a clog, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is here to help!
