Drain Maintenance 101: Why It’s Important To Keep Your Drains Clean
Keeping your drains clean is the best way to keep your home free from common plumbing problems. It can also help prevent disasters, save money, and improve pipe longevity.
The first step is to build a few simple daily and weekly habits that will keep your drains clear of blockages. For example, pour boiling water down your kitchen sink once a week to dislodge any grease that has built up.
1. Prevent Clogs
A clogged drain is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to your home. It can lead to expensive repairs, and it can be difficult to resolve. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to prevent clogs and leaks in your drains.
A lot of drain problems can be resolved by following simple maintenance routines. It may seem like a chore, but by getting into the habit of doing basic preventative maintenance, you can save yourself some serious money down the road!
Start by removing any food particles that have been sitting in your drain for too long. This will help to clear away any accumulated grease and allow the pipes to work efficiently again.
Next, use a mesh screen over all of your drains to catch hair and other clog-inducing debris before they can reach the pipes. This will keep your drains free of anything that might cause a problem, and it’s a really easy, cheap, and convenient way to make sure your plumbing is always in good shape.
Then, periodically flush your drains with hot water and baking soda. This helps to dissolve any solidified material that has accumulated in your pipes, which will also help to clear odors and kill bacteria.
Another important thing to do is regularly wipe down your stoppers and drain covers to remove any gunk or buildup that can collect there over time. This will ensure that the drains in your bathroom sinks, showers, and tubs stay free of clogs and debris.
In addition to keeping your drains clean, there are a few other things you can do to help prevent clogs in the first place. This will keep your drains free of waste and clog-inducing substances, which will save you a ton of time and hassle down the road.
Trash is the number one reason that drains get clogged. Cigarette butts, paper, gum, and other trash items can clump together and clog the drains.
2. Prevent Leaks
Plumbing leaks are no joke, and if they aren’t addressed quickly they can cause major damage to your home. They can also add up to an enormous bill, so preventing leaks and finding them when they happen are both vitally important.
A good way to prevent leaks is to regularly inspect your home’s pipes and plumbing fixtures. This can be done by yourself or by a professional. Ideally, you should inspect all of your exposed pipework at least once a year, or more frequently as needed.
Regularly inspected drains will reduce the likelihood of clogs and other problems caused by debris or sludge that can build up over time. Having a regular maintenance routine of cleaning and unclogging drains will help to ensure that your plumbing system works at peak performance throughout the year, as well as keeping your water bills low and reducing the need for expensive plumbing repairs in the future.
To prevent clogs in the first place, be sure to use natural cleaners for your drains, rather than harsh chemicals. These cleaners contain bacteria and enzymes that break down food waste, oil, grease and other fatty substances that can clog your drains and septic tanks over time.
The same goes for other types of clogs, like soap scum or hair. If these clogs are left unattended, they can become a serious problem and may require drain repair work from a plumber to fix.
If you have children or pets, make sure to always keep your drains free of soiled diapers, waste and other items that can clog them. It’s also a good idea to clean your sinks and showers at least once a week, and use a drain stick once a month to keep your drains in tip-top shape.
Another great way to prevent a drain blockage is to avoid pouring cooking grease down your drains. Grease coagulates and clings to the drain pipes, making it harder for the water to flow freely and can cause severe damage.
3. Prevent Damage
Drains are an essential part of any home’s plumbing system. They help carry waste water away from the property, and a well-maintained drain can prevent issues like clogs or leaks.
To properly care for your drains, you must understand what causes a clog and how to avoid it. Then you can take steps to fix the problem before it gets worse.
The most common causes of clogs are grease, foods that expand with water, soap scum, and hair. These can cause serious problems if not cleaned up regularly.
Grease can cause clogs in both kitchen sinks and bathtubs, and it can also clog the sewer drains. It can lead to costly repairs and even health problems.
Foods that expand with water, such as pasta and rice, are another common cause of clogs. They often get stuck in the pipes and can even make them collapse.
Toothpaste, soaps, oils, and other liquids can also clog up your drains. Be sure to use a good drain cleaner and run hot water after pouring them down the drain.
If you do encounter a clogged drain, you’ll need to get it cleaned out by a professional plumber. Most professional plumbers are happy to do this for you, and they’ll do a thorough job so you won’t have any more problems with your drains.
You can also prevent clogs from occurring in the first place by being mindful of what you put down your drains. Don’t put down items like eggshells, coffee grounds, or unused medications because they can clog your drain.
Don’t let food go down the disposal, either. It’s designed to handle small amounts of food and softer materials, but it can clog up very quickly when it’s used on bulkier foods or anything that has grease or fat deposits on it.
You should also avoid using chemical cleaners on your drains, as they can damage pipes and even cause a clog in the septic system if they aren’t cleaned out regularly. If you do choose to clean your drains, be sure to use natural products that don’t have harsh chemicals.
4. Save Money
Many homeowners ignore the pipes in their homes until they’re clogged or in need of repair. This is a big mistake, because drain maintenance can help you save money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs later on.
Every day, tons of waste – from soap scum to hair and toothpaste particles – makes its way down your drains. Even if you’re careful, this gunk builds up and slows down or clogs your drains over time.
You should clean your drains at least once a year to keep them in good working order. Using baking soda and vinegar to hinder buildups can be a great DIY solution, but it’s still best to hire a professional drain cleaning service to help prevent clogs before they happen.
A clogged drain can lead to costly damages, like a backed up sink or toilet, and it can also be the perfect breeding ground for molds and bacteria. These organisms can cause a variety of diseases, infections, and other problems that could negatively impact your family’s health.
Hiring a professional drain cleaning company will help you avoid expensive repairs in the future. They use specialized tools and equipment to get rid of the clogs that can be difficult for homeowners to fix.
They can also locate and remove the problem at its root, preventing further damage to your pipes. This is important if you have a large home or business that experiences frequent flooding or water infiltration.
Another benefit of hiring a professional is that they can catch leaks and other issues early on, saving you money on future repairs. This can prevent corroded pipes, broken drains, and other costly home repairs down the road.
During an annual drain maintenance, a plumber can send a camera down the pipe to spot any signs of leaks or other problems. A hidden leak could be causing your water bill to rise, or it might be the reason for a faulty or worn-down plumbing fixture.
Getting your drains cleaned regularly can help you avoid costly repairs, and it’s an easy project to do yourself or with a professional plumber. The results of a thorough drain cleaning are well worth the effort.
