Because clogged drains are such a common problem, it’s generally not a surprise when they happen – usually at the most inconvenient moments. What may be surprising is that there are a number of things you can do to avoid having clogged drains in your home that can lead to more serious plumbing problems. These tips apply to homes connected to a sewer system.
TAKE PROPER CARE OF YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL
Although it may seem that you should be able to put any kind of food down your kitchen sink’s garbage disposal without causing a problem, that’s not actually the case. Any sort of fibrous foods, including celery, asparagus, artichokes, chard, kale, lettuce, potato peelings, and onion skins should be kept out of your garbage disposal, as well as meat, poultry, and fish bones. In addition, don’t put coffee, bread, eggshells or uncooked pasta or rice in the disposal. The damage these foods can do includes jamming blades and causing pipe blockages.
You can also help preserve your disposal by making certain that you set your faucet for cold water and keep a steady amount flowing into the disposal while it is in use. Cold water flushes out any debris that is in the disposal and carries it out efficiently through the pipes.
MAINTAIN YOUR DRAINS
If you don’t have a garbage disposal, never put food, grease, or oil down the kitchen sink drain. All of these substances will almost certainly cause clogs immediately or over time. To clear out any food that finds its way to your drain, pour boiling water down it once a week.
For all your home’s drains, consider using drain screens. They prevent large amounts of food, soap, hair and other materials that easily cause clogs from entering your pipes while still allowing water to flow through properly.
WASH PETS OUTSIDE
Whenever possible, wash pets outside to avoid excessive hair and dirt from clogging bathtub drains. If you need to wash them inside, use a large bin for them to stand in while they are in the tub to trap hair and other debris and make sure that you have a stopper in the drain during the process.
ONLY FLUSH TOILET PAPER
Although many products such as paper towels, cat litter, baby wipes, diapers, and feminine hygiene supplies are labeled as safe to flush down the toilet, the truth is that they can cause unwanted buildup and clogs when flushed down the toilet. Because these products do not disintegrate like toilet paper, they should not be flushed into your sewer system. To avoid plumbing issues, we recommend that the only paper product that should ever be flushed down your toilet is toilet paper.
FLOHAWKS CAN HELP
We know that clogged drains present an immediate challenge that must be handled quickly and professionally. Our experienced technicians are ready to assist you with any issues related to your clogged drains.
Call FloHawks anytime at (800) 356-4295 or use our convenient scheduling tool which allows you to set an appointment that fits your schedule.
