You want your home to feel warm and inviting when you are expecting guests, no matter if they will be staying for an hour or a whole day. It’s easy to forget about your plumbing until it’s too late. Are your bathroom sinks draining correctly?
Do you have any smells or other problems? Are your shower drains working properly? Are your toilets flushing properly? Regular maintenance can help ensure your home is always ready for guests.
How to clean drains
It is pivotal be able to clean drains to maintain a home’s working order as well as to make sure guests have a pleasant experience. You can take a few steps to keep your sink drains clean so you don’t have to deal with bigger plumbing problems later. Each drain has its own problems, but once you understand what to do you will be able clean them easily.
How to clean sink drains
Regular maintenance will make sure that your sink doesn’t become clogged just before company arrives. To help clean a sink drain, our Long Beach plumbers suggest you:
- Remove the stopper from the container and thoroughly clean it, taking out any hair, dirt, or other attachments. Put the stopper away.
- Non-toxic drain cleaners include vinegar and baking soda. Pour the baking soda and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio down the drain. Next, pour the white vinegar slowly.
- Let the vinegar and baking soda sit in the drain for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
- Pour at least one quart of boiling water down your drain to rinse it out and remove any residue.
- Place the stopper in the drain.
This process has three benefits: It’s simple (which is great since you want to clean your sink drains once a week or so), it deodorizes the drainage and uses materials most people already have in their homes.
How to clean shower drains
Shower drains can quickly become clogged by hair, soap scum and other debris. Knowing how to clean them can help you save time and make your home ready for guests. To clean shower drains our Long Beach Plumbers recommend you:
- Take off the drain cover. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to scrub it or use a mold and mildew removal product.
- Use the same baking soda, vinegar and water method to clean your drains.
- You can flush the vinegar and baking soda with boiling water.
- You can pour bleach down the drain if you don’t have a septic system. If you have a septic system you should not pour bleach down the drains. It can kill the bacteria that is essential to the tank’s operation.
- Install the drain cover.
This process should be repeated every other week to maintain a clean and clear shower drain.
How to keep a toilet drain clear
First, pay attention to how often you use the toilet each day to keep it clear. To avoid clogging the toilet, don’t flush too many toilet paper. Do not flush feminine hygiene products, wipes or any other items.
These steps will help you keep your toilet bowl clean, our Long Beach Plumbers recommend that you:
- To get rid of any solid matter, give the toilet a good plunge.
- Turn off the water supply to your toilet. Then flush the tank to empty it.
- Let the baking soda and white vinegar in a 2:1 ratio down the toilet. It should sit for around 20 minutes.
- Once the mixture has cooled, turn on the water again and flush the toilet. Any small clogs and deposits will be removed by the baking soda and vinegar, and flushed away.