Clogged drains and pipes – How are they prevented?
Clogged drains and pipes are a nuisance that quickly escalates into a messy, smelly, and expensive plumbing emergency. Keeping your home’s plumbing in good shape will prevent clogs from occurring.
Be mindful of what goes down drains
Being careful about what goes into your drains is one of the easiest ways to prevent clogs. Avoid pouring grease, oil, and fats down the drain, especially after cooking. After allowing the grease to cool, dispose of it in the trash. Use sink strainers to catch food scraps and empty the strainer into the trash rather than the drain. Hair, feminine products, cotton swabs, dental floss, and other debris cling to pipes and accumulate over time. Throw these products in the trash. Never flush wipes or paper towels, even if they claim to be flushable. These items do not break down and lead to mass accumulation in pipes.
Limit the use of garbage disposals
While convenient, garbage disposals increase the chances of clogged drains when used improperly. Avoid putting starchy foods like rice or pasta down the disposal, as these swell and stick. Restrict disposal use to small amounts of leftover veggies, fruits, and small bones. Overuse of garbage disposals causes blockages in plumbing. Simple maintenance tasks like cleaning sink drain strainers, running disposals with clean water, and flushing drains prevent grease and debris buildup. Invest in a plunger and drain snake and use them to clear minor clogs as soon as they happen. For tubs and showers, install hair catchers and remove accumulated hair regularly. Clean grit and debris from the bath and sink drain periodically with baking soda and vinegar. Flushing drains prevents accumulation and keeps pipes clear.
Manage Tree Roots
Invasive tree roots are a common culprit of serious sewer main and exterior drain clogs. Root cutting and root barriers are required to manage this issue. Identify any trees near drainage pipes and inspect for root intrusions annually. Left unchecked, roots completely clog pipes and cause immense damage. Sewer pipes are vulnerable to clogs from items like grease, wipes, debris, and even roots. Annual professional sewer drain cleaning prevents accumulation. Some municipalities even provide free sewer camera inspections to stop clogs before they occur. These preventative maintenance services are available. Cleanouts provide direct access to pipes so blockages are cleared. Make sure cleanouts are present near the kitchen sink and laundry room drains. If not, a plumber install them. Having cleanouts eliminates the need to dismantle pipes to clear clogs.
Know when to call a professional
Some severe clogs require a plumber’s expertise. plumber Vaucluse professionals have snaking equipment and high-pressure water jet tools to clear blockages you can’t tackle on your own. Don’t hesitate to call for help if you can’t resolve a clog with household methods. A minor clog turns into an expensive disaster if left unaddressed.
