Do your drains become clogged so often that you’re on a first-name basis with folks at the Plumbing Contractor’s Association? Life doesn’t have to be so hard. You might just need to tweak your water-related habits. Here are some great tips to help you keep clogged drains from slowing you down.
Simple Ways to Keep Clogs at Bay
1. Run hot water down your drains regularly. It helps to loosen clogs and melt grease, soap and other debris. If you make it a habit to run hot very water for several minutes each time you wash dishes, you may experience fewer clogs in your kitchen sink.
2. Avoid putting grease in your drain. It coats the sides of your pipes and causes other debris to get stuck. Drain and store grease in a metal can or other container instead.
3. Don’t put sticky, gummy or fibrous food waste in sink or garbage disposal. Foods like uncooked celery, carrots, broccoli stalks and banana peels can cause clogs, even in your disposal. Throw them in the garbage.
4. Keep hair out of your drains by using strainers, and clean them daily. Several types of drain protectors are available at your local hardware or home improvement store.
5. Keep tabs on your soap. Small slivers of soap that slip down the drain can refuse to dissolve and cause a stubborn clog.
When Things Stop Moving
To handle a clog that’s already occurred, try running hot water for several minutes. This method is most effective on grease and food clogs. If it doesn’t work, you can try adding one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. Wait ten minutes, and run hot water again. You may need to repeat the process several times to get results. Chemical drain cleaners may be effective, but they can also cause serious damage to your plumbing. If conservative measures don’t clear your drain, the best option is to give your plumber a call.
When the Clog Won’t Budge, ABC Home & Commercial Services Can Help
At ABC, we know how to make stubborn clogs submit to authority. We can also check your system to be sure that no underlying conditions are causing your plumbing problems. Our expert technicians have been serving San Antonio residents and business owners since 1949. You can count on our skilled plumbers for full plumbing services, including appliance installation, sewer and drain cleaning, backflow testing, video camera pipe inspections and even natural gas leak testing and repair. Contact us today to schedule service or a free estimate.