December 24, 2021
Clogged drains can be a pain and arise in the most inconvenient times. Our Plumbing Today team has compiled a quick list of things you can do to keep your drains flowing no matter what. Continue reading to find out how you can keep your drains clear this year!
Saving your cooking grease will also save your kitchen drains. Cooking grease and oils are some of the worst things to dispose of down your drains. Warm cooking grease cools and solidifies to form a perfect clog in your pipes. Grease allows other food debris and soap scum to latch on and obstruct water flow altogether. All you have to do is grab a spare container and be conscious when cleaning up to pour grease into it! You can even choose to reuse your cooking grease and cook with it again if you prefer.
Drain screens or grates are one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to prevent hair and soap scum build-up. You can stop by your local hardware store and find the correct size for your drain. There is also an option for drain plugs with built-in screens! Make sure to regularly clean out your drain screen of hair and soap scum build-up over time.
Another easy preventative maintenance drain trick is running hot water down your drain after each use! This will help break up any build-up or oils from running down your drain rather than sticking to the interior of your pipes.
Chemical drain cleaners are abrasive and toxic to your home’s drain systems. In older homes, the chemicals can corrode pipes resulting in leaks. Even in plastic pipes, the chemicals create heat which can warp and melt the pipes causing additional leaks. The chemicals are also dangerous to the environment and septic systems. This is why natural homemade drain cleaners are safer, less expensive, and just as effective! Simply mix and pour baking soda and white distilled vinegar down your drain. Rinse this mixture with warm water to break up any mild clogs!
If your kitchen sink is equipped with a garbage disposal, this is an inexpensive DIY trick! Fill an ice cube tray up with half vinegar and half water. After it freezes, toss a few cubes down your drain and turn on your garbage disposal. Vinegar is a natural mild acid that will aid in cleaning your disposal while the ice simultaneously sharpens your disposal’s blades. The ice will also chill and scrape any grease or scum off the interior lining of your pipes. If you dislike the smell of vinegar, you can always chase it with a slice of lemon to freshen up your drain!
If your plumbing problems persist after implementing these preventative measures, give our Plumbing Today team a call! We would love to give you the BEST plumbing service while you enjoy the best from today. Call today to schedule an appointment for our $99 Anytime Drain Cleaning at (800) 226-2636.
Posted in: Tips