Three Tips to Avoid a Clogged Drain
A clogged drain can be really unpleasant and inconvenient, putting a sink or toilet out of action while costing you money to fix. Luckily, as described below, there are a few things you can do to avoid a blocked drain.
Be Mindful of What You Put Down Your Sink
The best thing you can do to avoid a blocked drain is to be really careful about what you put down your sinks. In your bathroom, that might involve installing a hair catcher so long hair doesn't get washed down the drain, while in the kitchen, you might choose to get a compost bin for food waste rather than pouring it down the drain. Think carefully about everything you put down your drain, especially in the kitchen — avoid pouring grease from cooking down the sink, as this can solidify and cause a blockage. You should also avoid pouring paint and other similar substances down your kitchen sink, and instead dispose of it elsewhere.
Be Careful When Flushing the Toilet
A clogged toilet is always inconvenient, but it can be avoided if you're careful. Make sure that you don't use too much toilet paper, but also that toilet paper is the only thing you flush down your product. Just because face wipes, sanitary products, dental floss, cotton buds and other bathroom essentials can be flushed down the toilet, doesn't mean you should. They can lead to blockages deep in the pipe, meaning you have to spend money getting it fixed — as well as not having a working toilet. Even small blockages are really unpleasant to unclog, so make sure your whole family is on the same page about what can be flushed.
Regularly Maintain Your Drains
In addition to avoiding blocking your drains, you should also do proactive maintenance to prevent clogged drains. Today explains some methods of keeping your drain clean, such as pouring very hot water down it once a week, sometimes accompanied by vinegar. There are also lots of drain-cleaning products available for purchase. You should also keep an eye on how your drains are running, and call a plumber if one seems slow — a small clogged drain repair is cheaper and more convenient than a large one if the issue is left too long. Finally, your plumber can perform regular drain cleaning treatments to prevent problems down the line, which will be more convenient than an emergency repair.
By being careful with your sink and toilets, and performing regular preventative maintenance, you can vastly reduce your chances of a clogged drain. If one does occur, or you suspect a problem is developing, speak to a plumber as soon as possible to stop the problem from getting worse.
For more information on a clogged drain, contact a company near you.