Clogged drains are hard work. They can disrupt your daily life, cause serious damage, and lead to expensive and messy repairs in your home. The good news? Just getting in the routine of a few simple habits can help to keep the nightmare of blocked drains at bay.
Here are nine tips to keep your plumbing flowing freely.
1. Don’t pour cooking grease down the drain
When cleaning dishes, washing leftover grease and oil on plates down the sink can feel like second nature. However, it’s actually one of the worst culprits for clogged pipes. Unfortunately, warm grease cools and hardens and then sticks to the insides of your pipes. This can lead to full blockages over time.
Instead of swilling grease in your sink, pour it into an empty milk carton or jar and then toss it in the trash once it’s cooled and solidified.
2. Don’t dump coffee grounds
You might be surprised to hear that coffee grounds are another nemesis for healthy waterways. After you’ve finished your morning brew, don’t empty grounds into the sink — they can clump together and take on a new life, building slowly in your drains.
The best solution is to either throw them into your food recycling or add them to your compost pile outside.
3. Rinse sink with hot water
Hot water isn’t a silver bullet for drain cleaning, but it can help to move things along when used in moderation each day. After washing dishes, try to run hot water down the sink for around a minute. This will help melt away any lingering grease or soap scum before it solidifies. It’s a small habit that can make a difference over months and years.
4. Use drain-friendly cleaners
Follow up a daily hot water rinse with a more thorough clean by using drain-friendly products. Pouring these chemical or natural substances into your sink can dissolve and break down any materials that have built up. You only have to do it around twice a month to get the job done. Just make sure to choose a safe product that won’t damage your pipes.
5. Install drain screens or grates
Drains need protection, too. Leaving them exposed can result in all sorts of food debris, soap scum, and hairs being washed away. This can eventually cause big problems in showers and kitchen sinks with major blockages that require more extensive drain repairs.
Installing a simple screen or drain gate in your most-used drains will filter away with these nasties while still allowing water to pass. Disposing of this debris is easy enough, and it will make the task of drain cleaning much easier.
6. Clean with baking soda
The old ways are the best ways. Baking soda is very much the unsung hero for household cleaning. All you need to do is pour some down your drains once a week, followed by a flow of hot water. It acts as a natural deodorizer and helps to get rid of any buildup before it gets bigger and results in a messy (and costly) blocked sewer pipe.
7. Add vinegar to the mix
Take your natural drain cleaning to the next level by pairing baking soda with vinegar. When combined, it creates a fizzy chemical reaction that can break down more persistent masses of gunk and grease in your pipes.
The instructions are simple. Just pour half a cup of baking soda down your drains and follow with a cup of vinegar. Then, let it fizz for around 15 minutes before flushing it away with hot water.
8. Say no to cement and grout
Planning home renovations? Be very cautious with cement or tile grout as these can be incredibly damaging to pipes and lead to full blown plumbing disasters. Cement turns into concrete with water. You don’t need us to tell you that this material is very strong and solid.
When cement or joint compounds harden in your pipes, it’s likely to completely block your drainage system. Never think about pouring them into your drains. Always dispose of them properly.
9. Use a pop-up stopper
A pop-up stopper can save the day. It’s a simple device that catches hair and debris before it slips away into your drains. They’re useful for bathroom sinks and tubs where loose hairs are a common problem. A pop-up stopper will help you to avoid the inconvenience of a blocked sewer pipe down the line.
Stay one step-ahead of blockages with Drain Fixers
Preventing clogged drains doesn’t take a lot of effort — just a little effort and consistency month by month. However, if you’re already contending with a serious blockage or are seeing warning signs pointing to bigger issues underground, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals.
Drain Fixers offers expert drain inspections and drain repair services across Melbourne. No blockage is too big for us. Our team is equipped with the latest tools and years of experience to get things flowing again, fast.
Contact us today to book a drain inspection or one of our high quality drain repair services.
