While drain cleaning is probably the last thing on your mind as you vacation and hang out by the pool this summer, keeping up with your maintenance is essential in helping keep your summer free of clogged drains and similar plumbing problems.
Keeping Your Drain Clean
Some tips and other things to keep in mind when it comes to drain cleaning include:
- Keep the kitchen drain free from grease. Over time, all the residual grease and oil that make their way down your kitchen sink will build up. This can ultimately clog your drains. To keep your drain clog-free, it’s a good idea to run hot water down the drain for about a minute once a week. About once a month, mix some liquid dishwashing soap with boiling water, then pour it down the drain. The soap will help loosen up and break up the grease while the hot water will wash it away down the drain.
- Don’t be tempted by forbidden objects. You shouldn’t be putting coffee grounds or large amounts of cooking grease down your drain. Coffee grounds can go into a compost pile and cooking grease should be collected in a can and thrown away as a solid in the garbage can.
- Keep your vanity in check. The bathroom sink is a frequent catch-all for hair, beauty products, shaving cream, and bits and particles of makeup and cosmetics. While it’s best to avoid combing, blow drying and styling your hair over the sink, if you do, clean the drain about once a month. Use tweezers or a special sink snake to grab hair that has accumulated in the drain. Try using a drain screen in your shower and sink so hair doesn’t get into your pipes. Pour hot water down the drain about once every couple weeks.
- Plungers come in handy. If water is draining slowly, a plunger might provide some relief. If you have a food clog in the kitchen or soap or scum clog in the bathroom, you can try the plunger. However, there is always the risk that you will lodge the object down further.
- Focus on the sink trap. If you want to really get to the heart of a clog or want to make sure your drain is debris-free, clean out the trap. Wear rubber gloves, grab some pliers and place a bucket under the trap to catch spills. Take out the trap and clean it with some soapy water. Replace the trap and you should be good to go.
For answers to your questions, contact the Pink Plumber today.
