Drains always seem to clog at the worst possible time, like when you have a houseful of overnight guests, fixing dinner, or getting ready for a night out. And while you may not be able to stop every drain clog, there are steps you can take to prevent most clogs and nasty backups.
Why Are My Drains Slow?
There are a few different reasons as to why your drains tend to slow or even clog. Think about your morning routine in the bathroom: wash your face, brush your teeth, shave, … toothpaste, and shaving cream are sticky substances that go down the drain, along with hair (long and short). Or what about when you are cooking dinner? Your kitchen drain sees oil and grease going down the drain more often than you might think. This grease tends to solidify and start to build up, no matter how much you run the water. Some other common culprits behind clogged drains can be coffee grounds, hair, soap scum, and other debris.Â
How Can I Keep My Drains Clear?
Because kitchen drains and bathroom drains tend to slow or clog for different reasons, there are different ways you can handle each one. Here are six tips from our High Priority Plumbers on how to keep your kitchen and bathroom drains clean and the water flowing smoothly.Â
Rinse Kitchen And Bathroom Drains With Hot Water.
Hot water makes oils found in food products or that sticky toothpaste from brushing your teeth run faster and easier down the drain.Â
Dispose of Common Clogging Waste In Other Ways.
There are several different ways of disposing of drain-clogging materials other than dumping them down a drain. Instead of dumping grease down the drain, save cooking grease in a coffee can and pour it into the trash. Throw coffee grounds away in the garbage or add them to a mulch pile. And men, instead of shaving your beard directly over the sink, lay down a hand towel that can catch the trimmed hairs! There are many ways to prevent debris from going down your drain… be creative!Â
Install Strainers In Kitchen Sinks.
Even when you are being careful, there is always a chance that food particles can make their way into your sink. Save yourself the hassle of needing to thoroughly clean your kitchen drain by installing a strainer. The strainer will catch food and other particles, ensuring only food oils and water enter the drain. When you need to clean the strainer, simply remove it and toss food chunks and particles into the trash! This is a simple and cost-effective way to protect your drain from buildup!Â
Get A Hair Catcher For Your Shower or Tub.
This is a product similar to the kitchen strainer, but instead of catching food, it catches your hair! Hair and soap combine in your tub or shower drain to create clogs that could end up requiring a drain snake to remove. But you can avoid that task by catching the hair before it reaches the drain with a hair catcher! You can find these at almost any store and they are also available from most online retailers!Â
Toss Some Baking Soda Into The Drain.
The versatile reliability of baking soda makes for a great cleaning agent. It also absorbs nasty odors, keeping sinks smelling clean and fresh. Periodically sprinkle some baking soda down the drain and run water with it to clean it.
Pour A Cup Of Vinegar Down The Drain.
Vinegar is nature’s natural cleaner. Its acetic acid content is an organic solvent that removes the organic buildup of foods and other oils in pipes. Pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. A fix-all solution for drains in showers, sinks, and tubs is to prepare a half cup each of baking soda, vinegar, salt, and a few quarts of boiling water. First, pour salt and baking soda directly into the drain. Next, add vinegar and let the mix foam for a minute. Chase with two quarts of boiling water for the final step.
Get Your Drains Cleaned by High Priority Plumbing’s Experts
Even when you take all the necessary precautions, sometimes you still end up with a clogged drain and backed-up water. Attempting to deep clean your drains can be tricky, and most market tools and devices only go so far into a drain. However, High Priority Plumbing’s professional plumbers have the tools and expertise necessary to give your drains a thorough, deep cleaning. We offer services in Rockdale, Newton, McDonough, Dekalb, and the surrounding areas. From North Atlanta to South Georgia, rest assured knowing High Priority has your best interest in mind!Â