Although you may not think about it often, your home’s drains have to handle a lot. Your drains are subject to food waste, hair, and other household products on a regular basis. They can only handle so many things. You will soon find yourself in a situation that only a professional plumber can fix.
Here are some key elements of drain maintenance you can do yourself to reduce the need to call a plumber. Here are some ways to maintain your drains.
USE A DRAIN CREEN
Your drains can be clogged by hair and other debris. A mesh drain screen, or any other device that captures hair and debris can prevent major clogs. Clean the screen as often as necessary.
GREASE NOT DOWN THE DRAIN
You should not drain any grease left over from cooking with oils or greasier ingredients like bacon, sausage, and oils. The oils will build up on the pipes’ inner lining as they cool. This can lead to a blockage that is quite serious. Keep an old coffee cup or other resealable container under the sink to prevent this. Let the grease cool in this container.
You can dispose of the container in the trash once it is full. You can also reuse the oil by straining it beforehand and keeping the container in the refrigerator.
FLUSH WHAT YOU DO
Your toilet is only intended to remove human waste and toilet paper . You should not flush feminine hygiene products, dental floss, or other paper products.
HOT WATER BEFORE THE DRAIN
After each use, flush your drains with hot tap water to remove any clinging materials. If you don’t have the time to boil water, boiling a few cups of water in a kettle will make hot water available.
BAKE SODA IS SUITABLE TO CLEAR MINOR BLOCKAGES
Baking soda can be used to clean your pipes. Let the baking soda sit in the drain for a while. For the best results, flush the drain with hot water.
USE VINEGAR FOR BUILD-UP REMOVE
The vinegar’s acid does a wonderful job of removing mild organic buildup. One cup vinegar can be used to clean out your drains and clear any minor blockages. Let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing the drain with hot tap water.
USE A BACTERIAL DAIN CLEANER
Experts recommend using a bacterial drain cleaner once a month. These are a more environmentally-friendly option than chemical drain cleaners and work just as well. You can avoid major problems in your home by addressing drain issues before they become serious.
REGULAR INTERVALS: CLEAR YOUR PTRAP
If you are not as handy, take a look at what is visible under your sink. The u-shaped section may be obvious. This is the “p trap”. It is possible to clear the pipe whenever you notice signs of a clog. Before you do anything, turn off the water supply and place a bucket underneath the pipe.
PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE
Sometimes, even if your pipes are treated with care, there is still a chance of serious clogs or other problems. If your pipes are not responding to any of the above methods, it’s time to call a plumber in Long Beach, CA.