Tips For Preventing and Unclogging Clogged Drains

Dealing with a clogged drain is never a pleasant task, especially if it seems to be happening over and over again. The best way to help prevent your drains from clogging is to be mindful of what you are putting down them. Substances like cooking grease, coffee grounds, hair and soap scum can cause a variety of problems for drains. Here are some tips to help you keep your drains flowing nicely.

• • The Kitchen
    Substances like cooking grease and coffee grounds are terrible for clogging drains. Instead of pouring cooking grease down the drain, pour it into an old can or rinsed out milk carton and throw it out once it has hardened. Coffee grounds should be put in the garbage or the composter, as should all other non-liquids unless you have a garburator. If you find your sink is draining too slowly, consider running a mix of hot water and vinegar down the drain. If that doesn’t seem to help, try pouring baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. The foaming action can help agitate the clog and break it up. Follow with a litre or two of boiling water to wash away the dislodged material.If you find your garburator is starting to smell or not running efficiently as it should be, it may be an indication that there is food stuck in the blades. Freeze some ice cubes that are half water and half vinegar and run them through the garburator. Adding vinegar to the ice will help to clean and disinfect the garburator. Follow the ice with a litre or two of boiling water to wash away the dislodged food. Always make sure to run the tap and the garburator for at least 30 seconds after the garburator has finished grinding up the food so that you can avoid having food get stuck or left in the garburator.

• • The Bathroom
    Hair and soap scum can clog drains very easily, especially if the hair is long. Avoid clogs by investing in a hair trap, which is a small screen or grate that fits over or just inside the drain’s opening and catches large objects. Clean out the hair trap after every bath or shower, or after you use the bathroom sink. If you find your drain is draining slower than it should be, pour some Drano or other commercial drain cleaning product down the drain.
    While these tips can help you avoid clogs and even unclog troublesome drains, sometimes you need to call in a professional. However, once you have had your drain professionally unclogged and cleaned these tips will help you avoid creating any new clogs. You can also ask your plumber what he or she recommends you do if you have a drain that seems to be constantly clogging.

For more information on keeping your drains clog free, or to book an appointment, call Lone Star Plumbing and Heating today at 403.295.3028.