October 09/2024
Tips on Avoiding Drain Issues
Drain issues can bring your household routine to a halt, expose your home to water damage, and lead to expensive repairs. This article provides top tips to avoid drain issues and keep your plumbing in good working condition. Mr. Rooter Plumbing is the plumbing contractor to call when you’re in need of professional drain cleaning.
- Flush Your Drains with Hot Water Regularly
The first step towards preventing drain clogs is rinsing your drains with hot water at least once every two weeks. Hot water keeps the pipe walls clear of debris, food waste, soap scum, and other items that may cause clogging. For stubborn clogs, try a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it up with ½ a cup of vinegar solution. Cover the drain with a plug and wait for 15 minutes. Flush the drain with hot water to clear the solution.
Installing drain strainers in your kitchen sink drains, shower drains, floor drains, and trench drains is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent clogs. A finely spaced mesh drainer catches solids that may otherwise flow down the drain. It’s important to clean the strainers regularly to keep them in good working condition and eliminate odors. Reach out to a licensed plumbing repair service for help with installing drain strainers.
- Keep Grease Out Of Your Kitchen Sink Drain
Improper disposal of grease is one of the leading causes of clogged drain lines in homes. Some people believe that pouring liquid grease down a drain cannot cause a blockage, but in reality, it eventually cools down and turns into a solid mass. Rather than discarding cooking fat, oils, and grease down the kitchen sink, pour it into a heat-resistant container, let it solidify, and throw it in the trash bin.
- Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
You’ve probably seen chemical drain cleaners being touted around as an alternative to hiring a plumbing service and a quick fix to clogged drains. The truth is, they aren’t the best option when you consider the harm they can cause to your pipes and the environment. If you have a clogged drain, try to use a plunger or drain snake to clear the clog. However, stubborn clogs caused by mineral deposits and tree root intrusion require professional intervention from an experienced plumbing repair service. Call the pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing if you need help with cleaning your drains.
- Have a Qualified Plumber Inspect Your Drain Lines Regularly
Most of the stubborn clogs that homeowners deal with are preventable. Unfortunately, we tend to neglect our drains as long as the water is going down the drains until we are stuck with standing water or offensive odors. It’s important to schedule regular drain line inspections to identify potential problems before they escalate into expensive problems. Here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we recommend you schedule a professional drain inspection at least once a year. It’s advisable to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to drainage.
- Use Your Garbage Disposal Properly
Improper use of a garbage disposal is one of the major culprits behind drain issues. Our plumbers recommend you avoid hard-to-grind foods, run cold water while using the appliance, and avoid overloading the disposal.
Professional Drain Cleaning Services
If you are experiencing drain line issues, then it’s time to call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for clogged drain line repair. Our plumbers will use specialized tools to determine the nature of the clog and resolve the problem once and for all.
