At nearly 28 percent, plumbing repairs are among the most common reasons people call a plumber. Clogged drains cause backups and inconvenience, regardless if they are kitchen drains or bathroom drains. However, there are plenty of ways to prevent clogs in kitchen drains, so you don’t have to call a plumber!
Keeping drains clean includes watching what you put down the drain, using a strainer, and considering how you use your garbage disposal. Following just a few steps can prevent clogged drains.
Here’s more on proper drain maintenance in Minneapolis, MN.
Watch What You Put Down the Drain
Clogged drains often begin with items that should never belong in the drain, to start with! Even with food in kitchen drains, avoid big food times – throw them away in the trash.
Avoid flushing things in bathroom drains, such as personal items, wipes, cotton balls, and household fluids.
Sometimes, small things escape your fingers, such as jewelry and even the top of the toothpaste tube.
Use a Strainer
Some of the best drain maintenance includes using a strainer in the kitchen. Small bits of things such as onions, garlic, and celery can become trapped in your drain when you cook.
To keep your drains clean, use a strainer. If you are making a big meal, it will prevent clogs.
Strainers are inexpensive and are available at any hardware store. Even bathroom drains can benefit from a strainer to catch loose hair or globs of toothpaste or lotions.
Garbage Disposal
Just because you have a garbage disposal doesn’t mean you should use it at all costs.
Prevent clogs and avoid putting the following into your garbage disposal: coffee grinds, eggshells, oatmeal, pasta, rice, and fibrous foods. These things can cause your garbage disposal to fail-or, better yet, break.
Furthermore, don’t put bacon grease in your garbage disposal either! After cooking, put the grease in a metal coffee can and toss it into the trash.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, garbage disposals should last up to 12 years. However, improper drain maintenance might cut their life short.
Run the Hot Water
Is the water in your drain running slowly?
Run the hot water. It activates the particles blocking your drain and loosens them without chemicals or a drain snake.
If your water isn’t hot enough, you can adjust the water heater’s temperature. You can also use boiling water from the stove. However, be careful, as you don’t want to get burned.
Tips for the Best Drain Maintenance
Tips for the best drain maintenance include watching what you put down the drain, using a strainer, and considering how you use your garbage disposal. Moreover, running hot water down the drain can unblock a drain to keep it moving freely.
Our skilled plumbers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, area are the best in the business. We will diagnose your problem and recommend the most efficient way to clear your clogged drain. Mr Plumbing and Drains is a fully licensed and a full-service plumbing company to serve your needs.
