Drain clogs are one of the most common reasons to call in a
professional plumber. A clogged pipe can be an annoyance, particularly if you don’t notice your tub is clogged until you’re in the shower. Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to keep your tub or sink free of clogs.
Brush Your Hair
Hair is one of the main causes of a clog, particularly in shower drains. If your daughters have long hair, you’ve probably already noticed that their bathtub clogs far more quickly than the bathtub in your son’s bathroom. When hair is washed down the drain, it can tangle in the pipe, forming a net to collect soap scum and other debris, helping to create a clog. Brushing hair immediately before taking a bath or shower can help to ensure that any loose hair is caught before it is washed down the drain.
Consider Your Pet Bathing Habits
If you’ve always bathed your pet inside, it can be difficult to change your habits, but washing pets outdoors will prevent pet dander from being flushed down the drain. While the warmer months may be ideal to bathe your dog outdoors if the winter is too cold there are some steps to protect your drains when you bathe them indoors. Firstly give your dog a good brush before bath time. This will allow loose hair to be collected on the brush and thrown in the trash. You can also put a washcloth over the drain to trap any remaining hair. The best indoor pet bathing solution is to use a washtub in your laundry room. This means that you won’t need to create a mess in your tub or shower and any dog hair can be collected out of your washtub instead of going down the drain.
Don’t Treat Your Kitchen Sink Like a Garbage Can
Whether you’re scraping your dishes before loading the dishwasher or making a meal, you need to remember that your kitchen sink is not a garbage can. Even if you have a powerful disposal, there are some foods that can create some serious issues that will lead to a clog. Starchy foods such as pasta, fibrous items or oils, fats, and grease should never be put down the drain.
Install Mesh Screens
Mesh screens are a vital tool to prevent food, hair and any other debris from getting into the drain and causing a clog. Even if you take great care with your drains, there is still bound to be some material that slips through. So, a mesh screen on all your drains provides an additional layer of protection.
Treating a Clogged Drain
Clogs don’t tend to form overnight, so if you notice that water is draining more slowly, it is a sign that a problem is developing. While it may be possible to clear a developing clog with a baking soda and vinegar home remedy, a better idea is to call a professional plumber. An experienced professional has the skills, expertise, and tools to clear any clog safely without risking damage to your pipes.
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.
