Your home's drains are easy to take for granted. When a drain becomes clogged, though, it suddenly takes center stage as you work to restore the flow of water. Wouldn't it be nice, though, if you could keep the drains in your home free from clogs so that you never have to deal with major plumbing issues? The good news is that a clog-free home is achievable if you observe a few basic tips.
Watch What You Pour
Most drain clogs don't happen all at once. Instead, the clog builds up over time as certain materials stick to the walls of the drain pipe and continue to accumulate until water can no longer get through. To help prevent this nasty accumulation in your drain pipes, it's important to pay close attention to what you put down the drains in your home. Avoiding grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other similar items will help your drains stay healthy and clog-free.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Although your drains aren't complicated, they can still benefit from some routine maintenance. For the most part, simply pouring some vinegar down your drains every week or so will help break down any potential clogs that are starting to form. Occasionally, though, you may want to call in a plumber to perform hydro jetting to help thoroughly clean your drains and prevent any major problems.
Use a Strainer
Your kitchen sink works hard throughout the day as it collects dishes after meals. To help prevent the remnants of these meals from going down the drain, it's important to have a high-quality strainer in place at all times. A strainer will prevent stray peas, macaroni noodles, and other food items from going down the drain and potentially causing a clog. Plus, you'll find that it's much easier to keep your sink clean with a strainer in place.
Flush Twice
When you go to the bathroom, you'll occasionally notice that your "going" is too much for your toilet. To help prevent a clog, it's perfectly acceptable to flush twice. While most toilets can handle most jobs with just one flush, a second flush is sometimes necessary, even for the best toilets. Flushing twice while you're going is much easier than dragging out the plunger and trying to remove a toilet clog.
To help better take care of your home's drains, it's a good idea to have a basic understanding of the layout of the drains and the associated sewer line. Knowing where the sewer line is located on your property will help you determine whether a plumbing problem is limited to a single drain line or if the problem is more widespread. This will help you give accurate information to your plumber so that they can take action more quickly.
