How often do you worry about your home’s drains? You might not give them any thought unless there’s a clog or you notice a weird smell. You might use some drain-clearing products and call it a day. But is there a better way to keep your drains clean and in good condition?
While your home’s drains might not seem like a big deal, they are crucial. Without working drains, it’s nearly impossible to complete everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, or even accessing drinking water.
If you want to prevent expensive plumbing problems and keep your drains from clogging, it’s a wise idea to brush up on tips from plumbing professionals.
In this guide, you’ll find tips for maintaining your drains, so you don’t wind up with expensive plumbing issues.
Tip 1: Perform Routine Maintenance
If you want to keep your drains free from clogs, experts suggest running hot water down each drain once per week. You can also use vinegar as an alternative to harsh chemicals. Some drain cleaning products can damage your drains and pipes, so it’s best to leave them to the experts.
Tip 2: Use Drain Catchers
Another way to maintain your drains is to keep them from clogging in the first place. The build-up of hair can be a major issue in bathrooms, while food can accumulate in kitchen sinks.
Consider products that catch hair, food, and other materials. They might not work perfectly, but they can help keep your drains clear.
Tip 3: Keep The Right Plungers On Hand
Did you know that many plungers are made for sinks, not toilets? You’ll need at least a couple of plungers in your home to handle clogged drains or toilets. Ensure you have both a sink plunger and one created specifically for the loo.
Finally, you can purchase a drain snake for stubborn clogs and hair issues. Often, these remove build-up in drains much more effectively than drain cleaners.
Tip 4: Use Baking Soda For Bad Smells
A smelly drain is unpleasant at best. So, if you notice a foul odor from one of your sinks, try a natural solution to remove the stench. You can pour half a cup of baking soda down each drain, as this product is great for deodorizing.
If this doesn’t work to remove the smell, calling a plumber is your best bet, as you don’t want to accidentally damage your drains while trying to make them smell better.
Tip 5: Be Careful With What Goes Down Drains
For the most part, the only thing that should go down drains is water and other liquids. However, you should be cautious of harsh chemicals.
If you have a kitchen disposal, ensure you don’t put anything too hard in it. Some foods you should never put in the disposal include:
- Coffee grounds
- Potato peels and other tough peels
- Grease and other fats
- Egg shells
As far as toilets go, the only thing that should go down them is waste and toilet paper. Even wipes marketed as flushable often aren’t safe.
When To Call A Plumber
The tips above will help you maintain your drains and avoid expensive plumbing problems. Finally, to keep your plumbing in good condition, call a plumber whenever you have issues like leaks, persistent clogs, and more.
It’s always better to ask an expert than to try and handle everything yourself and end up making things worse!
