Blocked sewers are one of those things that can really disrupt the everyday functioning of your home, not to mention the awful smells that come along with it. Unfortunately, the inconvenience usually does not stop within the immediate area. The foul odours and the risk of damage to your waste lines may escalate into a separate, significant problem that can cost heavily.
Yet if you figure out how to stop the channels from getting clogged and decide to implement preventive measures, you will not only avoid the hassle but also protect your home from the subsequent consequences. This article will feature several helpful tips to prevent clogged drains that will equip the readers with the knowledge necessary to keep their systems in good working order.
Understanding the Causes of Blockage
It is definitely worth taking a moment to figure out what actually causes these blocks before you jump on the preventive bandwagon. There are things that one can put into practice, thus making one work more efficiently and giving runoffs a longer life.
These are some of the most common causes of jammed channels, which you should take into consideration:
- Hair buildup in the bathroom and shower lines
- The result of pouring grease and oil down the kitchen sink is the accumulation of residues over time
- Soap particles can pile up in the bathroom outlets over time
- Food pieces in the kitchen can cause obstruction if not disposed of properly
- Cotton swabs and hygiene/sanitary products can cause plugging
Knowing how to prevent such scenarios is an important part of home maintenance and can lessen the need for professional drain cleaning services. Such a proactive step not only keeps your discharge lines functioning but also can prolong their lifespan.
Practical Tips for Preventing Sewer Backup
These insights are the main means of prolonging the life of your waste channels. Use these tips to keep them clean and your water running smoothly without any stress!
Use Drain Filters and Screens
Put filters or screens in bathroom and kitchen sinks to catch hair and other debris, such as food particles. Make sure to clean and empty the filters regularly in order to maintain the best performance. This is one of the most effective ways to help loosen debris from the lines that may be causing blockage.
Dispose of Oil and Grease Properly
If you do not want to pour cooking oil and grease down the sink, gather it in a container and throw it away with your household waste in the bin. Such an easy practice can be the reason for preventing kitchen sink drain clogging. Another clean and less harmful to the environment method of getting rid of cooking fats is to absorb them in oats, and then shape the oats into hard pieces, which can be given to the birds as food!
One aspect to remember is that this method of feeding wildlife might lure the wrong types of animals, for instance, rats or other vermin. Therefore, watch your fat/oat shapes and get rid of them if they are not consumed by birds or other friendly wildlife within a few hours.
Regular Hot Water Flushing
Warm water should be run down the pipes from time to time to help wash away soap scum and other small bits of rubbish. This is especially good for kitchen pipes where the primary deposit of food waste is usually present. A professional underground drain cleaning service usually recommends the use of a mixture of washing liquid for the sake of cleaning and to maintain the kitchen discharge line in optimal functioning.
Avoid Flushing Non-Flushable Items
Warn house members not to flush the drains or toilet with non-flushable items such as cotton balls and sanitary products that could cause obstruction in the waterways. In addition, do not allow large amounts of paper products to be flushed to prevent such problems and ensure the proper functioning of your systems.
Regular Maintenance with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Once a month, pour a mixture of half a cup of baking soda and white vinegar down the drains to break off the accumulated debris inside your pipes and keep the waste flow clear. Follow it with warm water to rinse off any residue.
Seek Professional Cleaning Services
Plan regular professional drain cleaning to get rid of the stubborn buildup and keep your systems working properly. Professionals deal with equipment such as flexible rods and high-pressure water jetting, which is able to remove the choke points that are hard to reach.
Educate Your Household Members
Make sure that people in your home dispose of the waste properly and tell them about the impact of flushing the wrong things and items that can be disposed of in other ways.
Easy DIY Methods to Unclog Discharge Lines
Try these tips to remove hair and other clogs before you call storm drain cleaning services:
- Check the drain stopper: If you find hair or other debris, remove the stopper, clean it, and then reassemble it.
- Use the plunger: Cover the outlet with the plunger bell so the edges seal, then push in and pull out repeatedly. It will force water up and down the pipes. If the choke is in the sink, make sure to run at least two inches of water before using the plunger.
- Use a plumbing snake: If a channel is still obstructed after trying the plunger, one will need to use a plumbing snake (also called an auger). Insert the snake into the pipe and keep turning it as it goes along the twists. The corkscrew tip of this tool is designed to pick up swabs and other problematic agents so that you can take them out.
Conclusion
When someone incorporates these preventive measures in their home routine, they can greatly lessen the chances of the waste lines getting blocked. By taking a proactive approach to its maintenance, you can not only prevent clogged drains but also prolong the lifespan of your entire system. If you need professional support, then seek assistance from Independent Plumbing & Drain Care in Ventura and the neighboring areas in California.
FAQs
How do I keep my drains clean so as to avoid clogs?
Light preventive cleaning (hot water wash and strainer check) should be performed once a week, and a deeper clean with baking soda and vinegar should be performed once a month or once every 2 months (depending on the usage).
Would it be okay to pour grease on the sink in the kitchen, provided that I use hot water?
No. Hot water just causes grease to travel deeper into the line, where it cools and solidifies, causing accumulation and clogs. Always drain grease in a vessel, allow it to harden, and dispose of it in a trash.
Are chemical cleaning agents safe to use?
They are able to remove small-scale clogs; however, when used frequently, they can destroy pipes and be harmful to the environment. Instead, the vast majority of plumbers prescribe mechanical procedures (plungers, drain snakes) or the use of professional services.
What should never go down my waste line?
Celery, corn husks, grease, coffee grounds, pasta/rice, and bones, eggshells. These may cover blades, swell in pipes, or form tenacious sludge.
Under what circumstances do I hire a plumber?
Contact a plumber when several drains become clogged simultaneously, the sewage smells or overflows, the water flows very slowly, or the clogs reappear in the same drain.
