We all have a drain or two that could use a little help. Maybe it’s a shower, the laundry room sink, or a toilet. And we think about drain maintenance for that particular drain, but then it fades into the back of our mind and we forget about it until it becomes a nuisance again. Maybe it’s time to learn a little more about drain maintenance so you don’t have to call a plumber in an emergency.
Drain maintenance is an easy process, really, once you get into a
schedule. The important parts are what
you can do to prevent drain problems.
First, make sure everyone knows what is and is not acceptable.
Removing hair catchers in shower and bath drains is a bad idea. Cleaning the hair from the hair catchers
should be part of regular drain maintenance.
Kitchen sinks with in-sinkerator units are particularly prone to
problems if the family hasn’t been educated.
No grease. No peelings, and
particularly no potato peelings, carrot peelings, or egg shells. Orange and
other citrus peels are actually good for cleaning out the drain, but only in
small pieces, and definitely NOT an entire half of a grapefruit.
Also avoid any pits (apricot, peach) and all unpopped popcorn.
And frankly, your city sewage system (or your septic tank) will
thank you for not running all your moldy leftovers down the kitchen sink. Just
because the blades will chop it doesn’t mean it is good for the sewage system.
Finally, remember that baking soda and vinegar and hot water are
good for clearing clogs, but liquid chemical drain cleaners aren’t easy on your
pipes, and eroded pipes can burst at the most inconvenient times.
When you need bigger maintenance for your drains than these basic
processes, call the professionals sooner rather than later and avoid big bills
for big problems!