Different Ways To Clean Your Drains
Cleaning your drains is probably not something you do very often. Mostly because it’s not a very fun task to do, or you’re not actually sure how important it is to perform this task. The main reason why cleaning your drains often is so important, is to avoid having a build-up of garbage or food which can cause the drain to become blocked and start to smell. Keeping your drains healthy and clean is vital to not just your home plumbing system but to the noses of everyone in your home too!
So here are some useful plumber recommended tips for how you can help keep your drains clean and prevent them from getting clogged.
How Should I Clean My Drains?
There are two main areas of the house that you should be concerned about – the bathroom and the kitchen. These two areas are most likely to have unwanted debris going down the drain which could lead to a blockage.
If you find that you have a clogged drain in your bathroom or kitchen, there are a few things that a plumber can do to clear the blockage.
A Rooter Service
A plumber will use something called a rooter machine to unblock stubborn drains that may have been blocked due to overgrown tree roots or other unwanted debris. This machine should only be used by a professional to avoid damage to your pipes if it is not used correctly.
Bio-Clean
This 100% natural product is a plumber’s drain cleaner of choice. It contains food eating bacteria enzymes that will clear the waste that is causing a clog in your drain. This natural product does not contain any of the harsh chemicals such as other store-bought products that can damage your plumbing system over time.
A Drain Plunger
Often a plumber will use a drain plunger and brush. The plunger will pull the water in the drain upward to help loosen the clog, while the unwanted debris sticks to the brush to help remove the clog. If the clog is further down the pipe then the plumber will need to add rods to the plunging device to lengthen it and maneuver its way down the pipes to locate the clog. It is important that this is done by a professional as an inexperienced person can easily cause damage to the intricate plumbing system resulting in more problems such as pipe leaks.
As always prevention is better than cure so there are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning your drains.
- DO use drain traps and catches: a simple way to prevent your drains from getting clogged is to try using drain traps and catches. These can be used in both the bathroom and kitchen and will help keep unwanted food and other debris from going down your drain and clogging your pipes.
- DON’T use chemical drain cleaners: the number one plumbing rule is to avoid using chemical drain cleaners. These harsh chemicals are a quick fix that will lead to far worse long-term damage for your pipes and your home plumbing system.
- DO pour hot water down your drain: every so often you should run the hot water down your drain to loosen any stray food scraps or hair that could have gotten in and stuck.
- DON’T pour boiling water down your drain: pouring boiling water down your drain can damage your pipe joints and fittings in the long-run.
- DO pour warm vinegar down your drain: if your drains are starting to smell, a natural home remedy you can try is by heating up some white vinegar and pouring it down your drain. Follow this with cold water to rinse the rest of the vinegar out.
- DON’T put lemon peels down your garbage disposal: some people think the acidity from the lemon and citrus smell will both clean your drain and take the bad odor away but mainly it will just result in a clogged sink.
- DO call in a professional for annual inspection: it is always best to have a professional inspect your drain annually and conduct a thorough cleaning.
The best method to keeping your drains clean, however, is to try and avoid putting anything down your pipes that could get stuck or cause a clog. Always make sure you throw away any foods that could get stuck such as coffee grinds, eggshells, or anything greasy – and always make sure you run hot water while you are throwing out other food scraps down the garbage disposal. Also, make sure to avoid throwing drain clogging foods down your pipes.
If you haven’t been regularly cleaning your drains, or if none of these tips have helped you clear your drains of clogs, then give one of our plumbing professionals at Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning a call – 1-888-773-1524 – to request service today. Sometimes pipes can have a blockage further down due to years of grease build-up. This type of problem really calls for a professional and will save you time and long-term damage to your plumbing system.
