How to Avoid Clogging Your Drain
Do the drains in your sink, toilet, bath, or shower always seem to be getting clogged, even when you thought you took the extra precautions to ensure it doesn’t happen again? We know how frustrating that can be. As professional plumbers, our 1st Choice Plumbing Heating and Air technicians know the value of having working drainage systems.
From backflow to smelly odors, a clogged drain is nothing short of a big problem in your residential or commercial building. A blocked drain can also contribute to or exasperate health problems, such as asthma, for those residing in your home or utilizing your commercial facilities. The buildup of moisture due to a flawed drainage system can additionally create an environment for mold and pests to thrive. If it is not tended to in a timely manner, a clogged drain has the potential to eventually damage walls, baseboards, and/or your foundation if and when flooding occurs.
The best way to stay clear the latter problems is to avoid a clogged drain from the start. The following are some of the things you can do to reduce the chances of frequent drain clogs.
Install drain grates or screens.
Drain grates or drain screens are devices that you fit over the openings of your drains to help block out the things that contribute the most to a clogged drain such as hair, soap scum, large pieces of food, and other things your drain doesn’t like.
Never pour or place these items in any of your drains.
These are just some of the many things you should never intentionally place in the drains of your toilet, bathtub, shower, or sink – even if you have a garbage disposal:
- Egg shells
- Banana peels
- Paint
- Paint thinner
- Coffee grounds
- Cooking oil
- Butter or margarine
- Grease
- Pasta
- Rice
- Flour
- Paper towels
- Produce stickers
- Potato skins
- Cat litter (including flushable litter)
- Thick or sticky foods
Run or pour hot water down your drain after use.
Running or pouring hot water down your drain can help eliminate food, fat, and grease that’s stuck and may otherwise contribute to a clog. Engaging in this simple task can also ensure that stuck debris doesn’t end up smelling up your house as it is left to sit and rot.
Avoid flushing non-paper items down your toilet.
As much as we like to believe our toilets are indestructible, they can still get clogged like our sinks. That said, never flush non-paper items like diapers, wipes, or feminine products down your toilet. Even when it comes to flushing paper products, be mindful that there’s only so much quantity your toilet can handle at a time.
Run water when using your garbage disposal.
Although you may have complete confidence in the strength and efficiency of your sink’s garbage disposal, never take it for granted as it too can get clogged with improper use and poor maintenance. As one solution, our team recommends running a steady stream of water while your garbage disposal is in use to ensure stuck-on debris has the opportunity to travel through the end of your drainage system as it’s intended.
Already have a clogged drain and/or garbage disposal in Southern California? Get in contact with our 1st Choice Plumbing Heating and Air team today at 866-437-0205. If your situation is urgent, we offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service for your convenience.
