Many homeowners have experienced the inconvenience of drain clogs. When you want to take a long shower, standing in a pool of water is unpleasant, and when your sink won’t drain, a simple task like doing the dishes becomes difficult.
If you have a drain clog, one of the worst things you can do is purchase a liquid drain cleaner from a hardware or grocery store. Liquid cleaners emit toxic fumes, may seriously damage your pipes, and often do not even remove the clog. For some small problems, a plunger may do the trick, but for others, you’ll need to call a plumber for professional drain cleaning. Here are some tips to prevent such problems from occurring.
- Get a Drain Cover: One of the most common causes of drain clogs in showers and sinks is hair. Hair can become caught in the p-trap, the curved section of pipe beneath a sink, or it may become stuck onto the sludge that builds up on the interior of drain pipes. While a drain cover may not completely prevent drain problems from occurring, it can significantly decrease buildup to reduce the likelihood of frequent clogs. You can purchase a drain cover for your sink or shower at most hardware stores.
- Avoid Letting Certain Items Down the Drain: Your garbage disposal breaks up food into smaller pieces so that it can travel to the sewage system with the rest of your home’s wastewater. However, if the food you throw down the drain is too bulky, or if your disposal cannot break down the food properly, it may clog your drain. Avoid putting any non-food items down the garbage disposal as well as hard food items like popcorn kernels that your disposal may be unable to process. Dump fat, oil, or grease in a trash receptacle as these may solidify and cause drain clogs as well.
- Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning: Scheduling professional drain cleaning is one of the best ways to ensure water and waste moves down your drain with ease. Professionals are equipped with special tools that can remove clogs deep within your pipes.
If you have problems with your drain in Waynesboro, call Larry & Sons, Inc. today!
