Preventing Drain Clogs

Eventually you will experience a slow drain, likely in your kitchen or bathroom. Fortunately, a slow drain could mean it is fairly easy to fix the clog. When a drain becomes fully backed up, more problems could arise. Preventing drain clogs is always easier than having to fix them.

For your bathroom sink, hair, soap scum, and other gunk or debris will inevitably find their way down the drain. When this gathers up, it will slow the water from draining. Regularly check on your drain stopper and make sure it is clear from this kind of clog.

With your bathtub or shower drain, putting a screen over the drain will stop hair from flowing into the drain and ensuring a smooth flow. For the toilet, you will never want to flush any other paper products besides toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to not clog, but thicker materials like tissue can become a problem.

In the kitchen, there are a few different tips depending on if you have a disposal or not. Without a disposal, you should not be putting any food scraps down the drain, no matter what. Put a strainer in place to catch waste or other debris. Some grease might end up down the drain no matter how hard you try, and you can help loosen up possible clogs by pouring a kettle of boiling water down the drain a couple times a month.

Even with a disposal, there are certain types of food waste you should not throw down there. Coffee grounds and eggshells are the common offenders, but also refrain from potato skins or fruits and vegetables. When you run the garbage disposal, have a stream of cold water running at the same time to help carry waste all the way through the drainage system.

Another tip for all sinks and drains around the house is to have a drain screen, regardless of the drain. Also, having a drain cleaner on hand can help with some of the worst clogs. There are even some low-budget options using items already around the house to help loosen clogs, like using a wire hanger or combining vinegar and baking soda.

Like most common household issues, prevention is always easier, and less expensive, than having to fix or repair the problem. For more information on preventing drain clogs around the house, call the professionals at Sunrise Heating and Plumbing today at (616) 293-9326. We pride ourselves in providing nothing but exceptional customer service.