Proper Drain Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Drain clogs are caused by the littlest things found in a house.

Unlike renters, homeowners have to learn to be self-reliant when inspecting, cleaning, and repairing their homes. In addition to the typical items, from gutters and downspouts to changing out air conditioning filters, homeowners should include drains on the list of items that need routine maintenance.

Knowing what to do will help save money, time, and effort. Drains that aren’t maintained will eventually become clogged, which means hiring a plumber to clear the drain and make any needed repairs.

But if homeowners have a few DIY tricks to clearing clogs in their toolboxes, they can save time and money when one occurs. However, prevention is always better than cure. Thus, homeowners also need to know the best practices for drain care so that repairs are rarely necessary.

It’s the “little things”

Drain clogs are caused by the littlest things found in a house. Anything from cotton swabs, feminine care products, coffee grinds, tea bags, toothpicks, cooking grease, paper towels, and vegetable peels can become lodged in the line, slowing the water or blocking it completely. Although homeowners may not think these little items will clog a drain, they certainly can.

To prevent the “little things” from causing big trouble, limit what goes down the sink drains and the toilet. Purchase mesh drain covers to prevent large food items from going down the kitchen drain, and a hair catcher to use in the bathroom drain

Outdoor drains

Besides properly disposing of organic and inorganic waste, cleaning the drains outside of the house will go a long way. Remember that a home’s plumbing system is interconnected through the drains, so if the drain outside the house is blocked, the indoor drains will be backed up. 

Blocked outside drains can cause plumbing problems, which will cost more than cleaning the drains. In fact, a homeowner may need to replace their plumbing system as a result. Thus, homeowners should regularly maintain their outdoor drain lines. 

Natural Drain Cleaners

Homeowners should clean their drains using natural products rather than chemicals whenever possible. It always sounds so easy to buy store-bought cleaners with strong chemicals to dissolve any material that has clogged a drain. However, the downside of these chemicals is they will eventually cause corrosion and can lead to plumbing and drainage problems. 

There are natural methods that work wonders on drains. At the top of the list is using a combination of baking soda, white vinegar, and boiling water to clear a clog in a drain. These inexpensive, natural kitchen ingredients are handy cleaners and will clean anything from toilet bowl stains to clogged drains. 

The critical point is that regular drain cleaning and maintenance will help homeowners avoid any plumbing and household problems. However, when homeowners suspect a severe problem outside of their abilities, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact a licensed, reliable plumber for assistance.

With over 25 years of experience, American Discount Plumbing has offered expert plumbing service and repair in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding cities at affordable rates for both residential and commercial properties. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing company offering 24-hour emergency service. We provide lasting general plumbing, water leak detection and repair, toilet repair, pipe repair, and water heater repair or replacement solutions. Call 602-883-2787 today!