Steps You Should Take To Prevent Clogs In Your Drain Pipes
Hiring a plumber to unclog a drain for you can be costly and inconvenient, which is why you may want to do all you can to prevent clogs from forming in the first place. To do this, it's important to start off by learning what the main enemies are to your pipes. Once you understand that, you can take the following steps, and this might help you prevent most clogs from forming.
Understand The Main Enemies Of Your Pipes
Drain pipes tend to work best when they are completely clear and clean; however, because of the purpose of your drains, it can be hard to fully keep them clean. The first step in keeping your drains clean should be understanding what harms drains to begin with. Some of the things that harm drains can be hard to control, such as mineral deposits from water, but others are within your control. Here are some of the main things that harm drains that you can control:
- Grease – While grease may be in liquid form when you place it in a drain, it does not stay that way. Grease hardens as it cools. If this occurs in your pipes, it can clog the lines.
- Hair – Hair is something too that can attach to things inside your pipes, and this can also lead to clogs.
- Food – Placing food down your drain is not a good thing, because it can get trapped inside. Once this happens, a clog will begin to form.
- Sanitary items – Sanitary items can also get trapped inside your drains, so you should avoid placing them in your toilets.
By keeping these things in mind and taking the right steps, you can make sure these enemies do not harm your lines.
Place Drain Screens Over All The Drains In Your Home
You can purchase drain screens for all the sinks and tubs you have, and the main purpose of drain screens is to stop hair from entering through the drains. While you may not need these in all your plumbing fixtures, you should at least place one in each of your bathtubs and showers.
If you want to save money, you could try making your own screens for your drains. There are many ways to do this, and some options include using wire mesh, old window screens, or fabric softener sheets.
Clean Your Drain Lines Monthly
Baking soda and vinegar are two of the most versatile products you may have at your home, and you can use these with boiling water to keep your drain lines clean. While this method may also help you free up minor clogs, it is best when used as maintenance on your drains. You can use this method monthly, or more often if you would like. Here are the steps you will need to follow to clean your drain pipes with this at-home remedy:
- Boil two pots of water and pour one pot down your drain to begin the process.
- Place at least 1/2 cup baking soda in the drain.
- Pour a cup of vinegar in the drain and cover the drain.
- After 10 minutes, pour the second pot of boiling water down the drain.
This mixture will help loosen items that are stuck to your pipes, and it will leave your lines cleaner and fresher.
Treat Your Water
If you have hard water, it will damage your pipes over time, and this could increase your chances of developing clogs. To reduce your risks, you may want to consider installing a water-treatment system. These systems remove minerals and other things from water, leaving it cleaner. In addition, a water-treatment system may also help you eliminate bad odors from your water, and it could make your water taste better.
If you are currently experiencing any problems with your drain lines, contact a plumber that offers drain cleaning services. To find a plumbing company, pop over to this website.
Share
