Let’s face it, drain clogs can be a real pain, and they always seem to occur at the worst possible time. The last thing you need after a long day at work or an evening of entertaining is a clogged drain. Some simple clogs can be manually removed with your handy cup plunger, but others may need an augur or professional assistance to remove. The best way to deal with drain clogs is to adopt a preventative approach to prevent the clogs from forming in the first place. In this article, we will look at four tips to help you keep your kitchen and bathroom sinks draining correctly.
- Take Care of Your Sinks
Many sink buildup issues can be solved by pouring a pot of boiling water into the sink from time to time. Boil the water and pour it into the sink drain gradually, and frequently stop to check that the water is draining. The boiling water releases any stubborn material inside the drain and helps to flush it away. If you do have a mild clog, it can take a few passes to get the drain clearing as normal. This is an easy method to try, it doesn’t take too long, and you can clear your drains every night if you like.
- Cleaning the Garbage Disposal Unit
If the garbage disposal isn’t cleaned and maintained regularly foul smelling clogs can form. It’s a great idea to clean the garbage disposal at least once per week, and this process isn’t as scary as it may sound. Simply grind up some lemon or orange rinds in the unit for around a minute and then while it’s still running pour in a little dish soap. This will help to wash out any trapped debris and make the garbage disposal smell better. Another great way to prevent garbage disposal issues is to take care of what you put in the unit. Most clogs have a high grease content, so it’s important to remember that you should not pour great and oil into the drain. Some other materials to avoid include eggshells, coffee grinds, and larger meat bones. All of these materials can cause a blockage that’s hard to remove without help from a local certified plumber.
- Protect the Bathroom Drain
Bathroom sink drains are easily clogged with such materials as soap, hair, floss, and other debris. Smaller clogs can be removed with a cup plunger or a plumbing snake, but prevention is the best course of action. Installing a drain cover on each drain will help to prevent materials from forming clogs. If your bathroom sink drain is blocked, there is an old trick to fix it, plug the sinks, fill it with hot water, then pull the plug out. The weight of the hot water will create pressure inside the drain, and this will remove most clogs.
- Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Many people reach for a store bought chemical cleaning product when a drain is blocked. This is a bad idea; these cleaners contain caustic chemicals that can burn your skin and damage your plumbing pipes. If you have a stubborn drain clog contact a
local certified plumber, there may be an underlying issue that needs to be fixed.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
