Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, it’s nice to have a healthy plumbing system. Luckily, there are simple things that you can do to maintain your drains year-round. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts that can save you a lot of headaches regarding your drains in the long run.
1. Be Aware of What Goes Down the Drain
Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, you need to be mindful of what goes down the drain. This is a preventative approach that can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. A good rule of thumb is to only pass organic liquids down the drain and small amounts of soft, non-fibrous foods. Oils, fats, seeds, rice, pasta, and eggshells should never go down the sink drain. If you have a garbage disposal, you may be tempted to put some of the manufacturer-suggested food scraps down the drain. Keep in mind that just because the garbage disposal can handle certain things doesn’t mean that your pipes can manage those things. Improperly using your garbage disposal can lead to needing a drain unblocking Maidenhead.
2. Install a Screen
One of the best ways to keep solids out of the drain is to install a drain screen. It allows liquids to pass through and catches the solids. The best way to utilize a drain screen is to scrape off any food scraps into the trash or compost bin before taking them to the sink and washing them. You’ll need to empty the screen regularly to avoid slow drainage, pests, and other problems. Screens also help keep soap scum and hair from going down the drain.
3. Flush Mindfully
Be mindful of what you flush down your toilets. Toilets can only handle water, toilet paper, and human waste. Even if a product claims to be “flushable,” it’s not. It does not belong in the toilet if it’s not water, toilet paper, or human waste. Flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, flushable kitty litter, and wet wipes do not belong in the toilet. Note that “flushable” wipes don’t dissolve in their liquid-filled containers. They won’t dissolve in your sewage system or septic tank either.
4. Pour Soap Down the Drain
This is another preventative step to take to ensure the safety of your drain. Periodically, pour a grease-cutting soap down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Plug the drain and fill the sink with hot water before releasing the plug and allowing the water to rush down the drain. The soap should help loosen any residual grease in the drain and the pipes. A powerful soap is just as helpful in bathroom and shower drains as it is in kitchen drains. Many brands of soap can do the job well.
5. Natural Unclogging Methods
Chemical drain cleaners are a big no-no. They are extremely harmful to drains and pipes. Instead, you should use natural methods that are gentle on your plumbing and the environment. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar works well, as does a combination of salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda, and borax, salt, and vinegar. Each of these combinations requires you to chase it with hot water to be effective. You may even need to do several courses or use a drain plunger or drain snake to ensure the blockage is removed.
The last thing you want to do is call a plumber for a costly and avoidable repair. What you do to your drain today will affect its performance tomorrow. These five tips can help you maintain a healthy drain all year long.
