When it comes to clearing clogged drains, you have a variety of options. There are organic solutions, chemical cleaners, plungers, plumbing snakes and more! So, why go to the all the trouble when it is easier and cheaper to just prevent clogs in the first place?
Taking care of a drain would mostly require you to just be careful. Add to that just a few proactive cleanings annually, and your chances of developing a serious clog can actually be very low!
So, what is the worst thing that could happen?
When you do not take good care of your drains, the first problem you might encounter would be a foul smell. This issue is more common in kitchen drains where organic food particles can actually rot, bringing noxious air into the kitchen. However, even the floor and bathroom drains can also be the source of offensive odours.
After the problem of smell, the next would usually be clog formation. Be careful as this problem happens gradually, causing your drains to simply work slowly at first, then followed by a complete closure of the drainage system. Finally, once drain systems are neglected, this is when permanent damage can occur. While it is true that no drain is built to last forever, basic care can still extend a drain’s useful life for decades.
Know What You Wash
The most important factor when doing preventative drain maintenance is being careful on what goes down the drain. In showers and bathtubs, the biggest problem usually is hair. Use a wire mesh filter over the drain to avoid this issue. Cleaning out that filter after every shower only just takes a couple of seconds.
In the kitchen, however, you should not put anything but water down the drain. Among the most common culprits for disposals and drains are coffee grounds and grease – make sure to put those in the trash can instead.
For floor drains, you should watch out for debris as those can fall in inadvertently. If you have floor drains in your laundry room, basement or elsewhere, be sure that they have suitable drain covers.
Extra TLC
On top of taking precautions, it also pays to clean the inside of a drain about twice a year to prevent the buildup of hairballs, biofilm, and other clog-causing gunk. White vinegar is mildly acidic, but it is also powerful enough to dissolve most of the particles that form in your drains. Simply pour two cups of vinegar down your drain and wait for at least ten minutes. Afterward, flush the drain with very hot water.
If you do get a stubborn clog that you cannot clear, remember, you can always count on our team of licensed plumbers!
