At some point, most people have had to deal with a clogged drain. When this happens, there’s no question the entire situation can be quite frustrating. The good news is, there are some steps homeowners can take to help keep their drains clear, which will save them quite a bit of time down the road.
Bathroom and kitchen drains are most susceptible to getting clogged. This is due to the various substances flushed down them on a daily basis. Keep reading to learn more about keeping residential drains clean and flowing freely.
- Don’t Ignore the Problem
Most drains in the bathroom are going to become clogged slowly over time. Also, bathroom and kitchen drains become clogged due to different substances.
While one option is to call drain specialists for help, there are other things homeowners can do. If it’s the bathroom drains that need attention, using ordinary table salt can be an effective method.
Simply pour a single tablespoon of salt into the drain, and then follow it with a quarter of a cup of white vinegar. Allow it to sit for an hour and then flush the drain with hot water to clear out all the debris left inside.
To achieve the best results, do this more than one time.
- Provide Maintenance for the Sinks
To make sure the drain remains clear after cleaning it, pour a small amount of bleach in it. Allow it to sit for a minimum of an hour before flushing the drain again.
- Get Rid of Grease
If grease is allowed to build-up in the kitchen sink it can be fixed by using liquid dish detergent along with a large amount of boiling water. The method here is to squirt at least a tablespoon of soap into the drain and then pour the boiling water into it a little at a time.
The water is going to melt the grease deposits, and the detergent is going to help dissolve the oil and grease, while allowing the water to flush it away.
- Use Hot Water Often
While this may seem obvious, just putting hot water down the drains a few times a week can go quite a way to helping them stay clear and clean. In the kitchen, this hot water can help to melt and the flush away light deposits of grease.
A bathroom drain can also benefit from hot water. After all, most people don’t use very hot water to wash their hands in most cases.
- Use Cold Water Smartly
While hot water is good for the drains, it’s also good to use cold water from time to time – especially when running the garbage disposal. When doing this, keep the cold water running – not hot.
The cold water keeps the grease and oil solid, allowing them to be broken down by the disposal. If hot water is used, it’s going to soften or melt the grease, encouraging it to coat the interior of the drain.
Keep Your Drains Clear with These Tips
For homeowners who want to ensure their drains remain clear and flowing freely, keep the tips and information here in mind. They will come in handy and help avoid serious clogs and other problems now and in the future.
One Response
Thanks for letting me know that different substances might be the reason behind our clogged drains. I don’t remember flushing weird things down our kitchen drain so I guess there’s something about the cleaners that we use. It might be a good idea to call plumbing professionals and let them check if the drain needs to be repaired.