Everyone loves a good joke, even if they have heard it a thousand times. However, there is one joke that everyone wishes would never show up in their home: the clogged drain. Not only does a drain blockage hinder a household’s function, but it can also cause great stress and panic. Listed below are some helpful suggestions and warnings to avoid a clogged drain in your home.
1. Keep Drains Clear at All Times
If a household is particularly busy, it may be easy to forget to keep drains clear of hair and soap suds. However, this is the number one reason that drains become clogged. The best way to prevent a clogged drain is to keep it clean at all times. Not only will this reduce stress and panic when a clogged drain arises, but it can also save the homeowner money in plumbing costs.
2. Utilize Receptacles or Drains Capable of Holding Hair and Soap Scum
To avoid having to manually remove hair and soap suds from the drain, these items should be placed in a receptacle or hair catcher that is capable of holding them until they can be emptied into the trash. Not only are garbage bags convenient for this task, but renters may also utilize plastic containers to store all soapy water until it can be disposed of properly.
3. Never Flush Anything Down the Toilet Except the Three Ps
The three P’s are a guideline used to help avoid a clogged drain. They are pee, poop and toilet paper. Flushing anything besides these items down a toilet will increase the risk of having to unclog a drain at some point in time. Other items that should never be flushed include bandages, feminine hygiene products, cooking grease, dental floss, paper towels and baby wipes. For clogged drains, contact a plumber in Hoover, AL.
4. Use Caution While Cooking Grease
One of the more common clogs in any household is cooking grease that is disposed of down the drain. If this type of item is cooked frequently in a home, it can be helpful to dispose of it in a can or other container.
5. Keep Drains Clear of Hair and Soap Scum
While it is helpful to dispose of hair and soap suds in receptacles, some types of drain cleaners that are used may not be as simple as they appear. For example, some drain cleaners will dissolve the blockage only temporarily before reappearing. These types of cleaners can often become the cause of a clogged drain if they are not utilized properly. It is recommended to utilize drain cleaners sparingly and with caution.
6. Avoid Laundry Detergents That Contain Softeners
Laundry detergents that contain softening agents can leave residue in clothes causing them to be less absorbent and more likely to clog a drain.
Plumbing Professionals 