4 Tips to Prevent Blocked Drains
Posted on: 29 December 2021
One of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners face is that of blocked drains. Smelly, annoying, and inconvenient, a blocked drain can be a major hassle, but the good news is that prevention is possible. The following tips can help to keep the plumbing in your home running smoothly.
1. Be Careful When Cooking
One of the most common causes of clogs is grease from cooking getting into the pipes and congealing. You should never pour hot oil down the drain, as it becomes more viscous when it cools and can cause or contribute to a blockage. You also need to be careful when washing dishes, as traces of oil or fat can wash from the plates into the drain, leading to a clog.
Reduce the risk by pouring excess cooking fat into a container and putting it out with the household solid waste. After washing dishes, run the hot tap for a couple of minutes to flush any fat through your plumbing before it can congeal and cause a problem.
2. Catch Hair in a Drain Cover
One of the easiest ways to protect your plumbing is to place drain covers over the drains in your shower stall and bathroom basin. A mesh drain cover catches hair that falls into the drain, preventing it from travelling down into the pipe and causing a clog. Remember to empty the drain cover regularly to prevent it from getting blocked.
3. Have Your Drains Cleaned Regularly
If you notice your drains slowing down, then it is time to schedule a professional drain cleaning with a local plumbing service. Do not wait until your drains back up completely. Plumbers can get rid of any clogs that are starting to develop in your drains, preventing problems with them in the future.
4. Consider Installing a Water Softener
In areas that have very hard water, soap scum can be a major contributor to drain clogs. A reaction occurs between the minerals in the water and the chemicals in the soap, leading to a sticky scum forming. When this scum washes into the drains, it can combine with other substances to form a clog that is difficult to dislodge.
Installing a water softener deals with this problem at its source by removing the minerals from the water as it enters your home. In addition to fewer drain problems, you might also notice that you get a better lather when you soap up in the shower. Softening your water could even make your skin and hair less dry and your clothes feel softer after you wash them.
Contact a local plumber for more tips.
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