How to Prevent Clogged Drains

A clogged kitchen or bathroom drain is one of the more unpleasant situations that a homeowner can encounter. Not only does it leave you with a sink or a tub full of dirty water, but the smell and the ensuing mess of unclogging it can be a real hassle. You can always call a professional plumber who’s experienced in drain cleaning to deal with such a situation—but there’s an easier way.

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There’s an old saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and this axiom applies to your plumbing as well. Preventing clogged drains is worth the investment in the money spent and heartache experienced when a disruption occurs.

Read on for some more tips about how to keep your drains flowing freely and your repair bills down:

• Install lint catchers on washing machine hoses: Many folks have washing machines that drain via a hose directly into utility sinks in their basements or laundry rooms. While this can be handy, it can also be an express lane for debris like hair and lint to enter your pipes. These can easily clump up and create a situation where drain cleaning is necessary, so it’s best to use mesh lint traps (available online or at most hardware stores) to strain the water coming out of the hose.
• Collect grease: Grease dumped down kitchen sinks is probably one of the top reasons that we get called out to do some drain cleaning for homeowners. Many greases are liquid when they’re still warm but will quickly return to a solid state when they cool down. It’s best to keep an old coffee can (metal only) handy; when you’re done cooking, simply pour all of the excess grease into this and let it cool before putting it away. When it’s full, you just throw it in the trash and start again.
• Prevent hair clogs: Similar to the washing machine tip above, it’s in your best interest to prevent hair from getting down your pipes, especially in the bathroom. Install mesh screens or other apparatuses that are made to prevent this, and remember that, when performing drain cleaning due to hair, it’s always best to use drain snakes instead of harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes.
• Compost food waste: Garbage disposals can seem like a miracle product, but, in fact, food scraps can be a key cause of drain stoppages. Food chunks can still build up, and some tougher items can’t be shredded, which can lead to the need for drain cleaning. Prevent this by keeping a compost bin nearby—modern versions can easily prevent odors. Plus, you can rest assured you’re living a greener lifestyle.

Keeping drains clean is a relatively simple endeavor as long as you’re mindful of what you put down them. They’re only as reliable as their usage allows them to be, so it’s largely up to you to prevent the need for professional drain cleaning services. If the day does arrive where you need a set of helping hands to manage your drains, we hope that you’ll call our team here at Affordable Rooter and let us put our two decades (and more) of experience to work for you.

Categorised in: Drain Cleaning

This post was written by Writer