As with any case, prevention is always better than cure, and this applies to plumbing practices as well. Although it’s easy for your drains to accumulate various items and get obstructed over time, there are a few steps that you can take to prevent your drains from getting clogged.
With a few preventative steps, you can avoid obstructing and allow water to flow out of your house consistently. Taking these preventative measures will also help you save money, time, and effort from costly and exhausting plumbing repairs.
In this article, we will share with you four preventative maintenance tips for clogged drains:
1. Use baking soda to clear clogged drains
The use of baking soda is the most common household solution for a clogged drain. All you have to do is to mix a cup of baking soda with a cup of apple cider vinegar (lemon or salt). Once you have the solution, you can then pour it down the drain along with plenty of hot water. The solution will produce a chemical reaction that will get rid of the obstruction. Performing this step regularly will keep minor blockages out of your drains.
2. Pour boiling water as an alternative
Many households simply resort to using boiling water, as this will discourage solidified fats and oils from accumulating in the pipes. Yes, if you don’t have baking soda around the house, you can pour boiling water down your drain regularly. However, make sure to pour the water into the drain directly and carefully so that you avoid damaging the porcelain or plastic fixtures at the opening.
3. Use a wet or dry vacuum to suck up built-up items
Another household item you can use for drain clogs is either a wet or a dry vacuum, as this device is effective at sucking items built up in your drain. All you have to do is to set the vacuum to the wet setting and put it to the highest power. From there, the vacuum will pull the grease, fats, and oils in your pipes, preventing these items from causing clogs.
4. Keep items away from your drains
To avoid clog drains, keep in mind that you should never pour grease or food items down your drains. Unfortunately, many households aren’t aware of this, and they end up throwing many things into their drains. Chances are that they just put coffee grounds, fruit peels, and other kitchen scraps in the sink. For this reason, you should make sure to keep items away from your drains and dispose of them properly into the trash so that you can effectively prevent any drain clogs at home in the long run.
Conclusion
The preventative measures mentioned above are straightforward and easy to follow. Make sure to abide by these maintenance tips, whether you plan to use baking soda, boiling water, or vacuum. At the same time, you should never throw grease and other food items down the sink. If you are already confronted with a clogged drain, you can take some steps depending on the severity of the issue. If you are unable to do it by yourself, it will be best to contact a licensed plumber in Fort Worth to address the problem.
If you need a licensed plumber in Fort Worth to help address your clogged drains, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!