Clogged drains are common household problems, but you don’t have to let them keep you back from your plans. As a homeowner, you have many ways to prevent drains from clogging. Using these strategies will keep your home’s drains clear and odor-free.

Avoid Treating the Kitchen Sink Like a Garbage Can

Many people view their garbage disposal as a catch-all for cooking debris. While the disposal is designed to crush up small amounts of soft food that make its way down the drain, it can’t handle most types of trash. Whether you’re doing cooking prep or clearing the dinner table, make sure to put leftover food, vegetable peels, and other debris into the trash to prevent major clogs. This also applies to grease that solidifies and creates clogs as it cools in the drain.

Use Hair Catchers In the Shower Drains

Anyone with long hair knows the pain that comes from having to remove those beautiful strands after they get stuck in the drain. Hair often combines with soap to create odorous clogs that stop water from draining freely. If you find yourself standing ankle-deep in water in the shower, then it’s likely that hair is the culprit. Placing hair catchers in the shower and tub drains makes it easier to quickly remove errant strands to stop them from going further down the line.

Remind Family Members to Only Flush Toilet Paper

Similar to garbage disposals, some people view toilets as an easy disposal option for eliminating feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, and swabs. Unfortunately, these items often get stuck in the sewage line, where they can stop wastewater from getting through. Flushable wipes are a common reason why people call plumbers for sewage line clogs. Make sure to only flush toilet paper, and remind anyone else who uses your home’s bathroom to do the same.

Consider the Hazards of Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

Once a clog begins to form, it’s normal to want to fix the problem as quickly as possible. However, chemical drain cleaners that you find in your local store often do more harm than good. These cleaners work by using caustic chemicals that can corrode plumbing lines. Many also generate heat that further damages pipes. Using chemical drain cleaners can potentially expose you to hazardous fumes, and having any of the fluid splash back toward you could cause physical harm to your body.

Know When to Call a Plumber For Drain Cleaning

Contacting a professional plumber is the best way to avoid being harmed by a chemical drain cleaner. Plumbers use several methods to remove drain clogs that protect you and your loved ones from harm. As a general rule, drain cleaning is easier when you reach out for help early. Depending upon your household’s needs, a plumber may recommend regular drain cleaning services that help to prevent clogs from forming. When you notice that drains are slow or leaving behind standing water, it’s time to call a plumber for help.

Preventing drain clogs helps to keep your household running smoothly. Whether you need to put a sign up to remind people not to flush non-paper waste or you arrange for routine drain cleanings, you’ll be happy to see the results when every fixture whisks wastewater away as quickly as it forms.

Published by: Martin De Juan