One of the most frustrating problems any homeowner can have is a clogged drain. This seemingly simple issue can be a major headache and even cost thousands in water damage (maybe that’s how they got the phrase “money down the drain”) if not dealt with promptly. In fact, according to Home Advisor, the average cost of water damage repair is a staggering $2,582.
While even the best-kept homes will eventually need professional residential drain cleaning, there are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of a major clog.
Make sure you keep an eye out for signs that your drains need to be cleaned. In the meantime, use these proven solutions to keep your pipes clog free.
1. Don’t Overuse Your Garbage Disposal
Despite its name, the garbage disposal is not designed to be used as a trash can. Far too often, homeowners overload their disposals with plate after plate of food debris, grease, and even chicken wing bones.
Overusing your garbage disposal will eventually result in a clog. To make matters worse, after so much misuse, you are likely to ruin your disposal. At that point, you will need to replace it, which can cost anywhere from $150 to $950, according to Home Advisor. This does not include the costs of drain cleaning and plumbing services.
The lesson is you should only use your garbage disposal to get rid of small food debris. Any bits of food that make it past your strainer or drain screen can easily be handled by your disposal. However, you should not intentionally scrape large quantities of waste down your sink drain. You should also avoid putting pasta, rice, and other starchy foods (which will expand when wet) down the garbage disposal.
Your garbage disposal is not the only commonly overused drain in your house. Oftentimes, homeowners use toilets as another quick disposal tool. This can quickly turn into a major clog that will require professional plumbing drain service. Nothing but human waste and toilet tissue should be flushed down the drain.
2. Stop Hair from Entering Your Drains
Grease is the biggest enemy of your drains, but hair is not far behind. Every time anyone in your household takes a shower, clumps and clumps of hair get sent down your shower drains. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can cause you major issues in the long term.
Hair-related clogs tend to be especially difficult to clear. They can sometimes even necessitate an emergency drain cleaning to prevent serious damage to your home.
Fortunately, keeping hair out of your drains is fairly simple. For starters, you should brush your hair before taking a shower or bath. This will remove most loose stands ahead of time so they won’t end up in your drains. You should also install a shower drain screen or in-drain hair catcher, but more on that a bit later.
3. Clean Your Drains Regularly
It can be easy to neglect the drains in our home and forget how they figure into our plumbing systems. After all, in most homes, the majority of plumbing is out of sight. But, as noted above, the consequences of clogged drains can be devastating, so it’s very important your drains don’t go neglected.
To keep your drains clear, you should give them a good cleaning about once a month. As long as you implement the other tips in this guide, you shouldn’t need to clean them more often than that.
While all your pipes and tanks need to be cleaned at some point, too, you should pay special attention to your sink and bathtub drains. These two areas are the most common sources of clogs and other malfunctions.
Fortunately, DIY drain cleaning is quick and easy. We recommend cleaning your drains before you start other housekeeping projects since the cleaning supplies need time to work. By the time you finish mopping, doing laundry, or completing other chores, the drains should be good and clean.
Note that, if used repeatedly, the chemicals in commercial drain cleaners can do serious damage to your plumbing and even harm the environment. If a commercial cleaner fails to do the job the first time, call a professional plumber.
Instead of commercial products, you can try using vinegar and baking soda. Pour them down your drain, give them some time to work, and then run hot water for a few minutes. This process should wash away any debris and reduce your risk of encountering a major clog.
4. Use Drain Screens
Drain screens are a simple and cost-effective way to prevent clogs. You can pick up a pack of drain screens from your local home improvement store for only a few dollars. Simply place them over each of your drains and periodically dump out any debris that accumulates.
Drain screens will reduce the risk of major clogs by catching large debris that shouldn’t be in your pipes. If the screens get damaged or worn out, simply replace them.
Superior Drain Cleaning and Emergency Drain Service Near Me
While the tips above can certainly help you avoid clogs, there may come a time when you need emergency drain cleaning in Charlotte, NC. If that happens, partner with the trusted team at Superior Plumbing and Drains, LLC.
Our expert plumbers provide a full array of commercial and residential services. Schedule our drain and sewer cleaning services today and protect your home from the dangers of water damage. Once you experience the high quality of Superior Plumbing and Drains, LLC, you will never want to do business with anyone else. We look forward to serving you. If you need help clearing your drains, give us a call today at (704) 289-6858.
