Your shower, sink, and toilet drains can all become clogged from hair, soap, or mineral buildup. These clogs can cause unpleasant odors, residue in your drain, and slow water drainage. To help prevent clogs, regularly clean your home's drains. Here are six drain cleaning tips to help avoid clogged drains:
1. Avoid Drain Obstructions
A key element to keeping your drains clean is to avoid intentionally putting anything down the drain that will cause it to clog. These items can include feminine hygiene products, nail clippings, eggshells, and grease. Most drains are not meant to handle or flush these items. If you continually put these things in your drains, you may eventually have to deal with overflowing or slow-draining sinks and toilets. In some extreme cases, you may need to hire a professional to locate and remove the obstructions. You can avoid this and keep your drains clean by only putting liquids and dissolvable solids down the drain.
2. Use a Hair Catcher
Hair buildup is a common culprit of clogged shower drains. Consider purchasing a hair catcher to help keep your drains free and clear. Hair catchers are often made from plastic or silicon and can be attached to your shower or sink drain. As hair is swept toward the drain, the hair catcher will collect it. The hair stays in the catcher so you can then easily remove any buildup without having to snake your drain pipes. Preventative measures like using hair catchers can significantly impact the effectiveness of your drain function.
3. Try a Drain Cleaner
You can safely use liquid or powder cleaners on your drains. Start by pouring the liquid or powder solution down your sink, shower, or toilet. Then let the product sit in the drain for the required time. Processing times vary by product, so check the packaging for instructions. When the allotted time is up, run hot water or flush the toilet to move the rest of the product down the drain. Be aware of harsh chemical cleaners that can cause damage to your drain pipes. Carefully research and purchase products that are made specifically for drain cleaning.
You can also try a homemade cleaning solution by combining baking soda and vinegar. Pour a small amount of baking soda down your drain and follow it with the same amount of vinegar. Leave the mixture to bubble for a few minutes, and then flush the mixture down with hot water. Repeat this process until your drain flows properly or the foul odors are gone.
4. Use a Drain Snake
Drain snakes are thin plastic sticks with barbs sticking out at various points that are meant to grab onto hair clogs. To use a drain snake, insert it into your sink or shower drain until you reach the clog and pull it back out to remove any large clumps of hair. When hair is constantly flushed down the drains, it can build up over time, eventually leading to a clog. A drain snake is an inexpensive option to quickly remove the hair yourself, keep your drains clean, and prevent future clogs or buildup.
5. Run Hot Water
This simple method can make a big difference in keeping your drains clean. At least once per week, run hot water down your shower or sink drain to help remove any grease, soap, or food debris buildup. The hot water can help dislodge obstructions before they lead to complete drain blockages. Run hot water down your drains after using cleaning products or placing dissolvable solids in the drain.
6. Call a Professional
When in doubt, call a professional plumbing company to clean your drains. Plumbing professionals have the expertise and resources to easily remove clogs and fix drain problems. Plumbers have drain cleaning tools to quickly remove any hair or mineral buildup. If your home remedies aren't working and water still isn't draining like normal, call a plumber to evaluate the clog and determine if your pipelines have a deeper issue. Plumbers can address the root of your drain problem instead of providing a temporary fix.
Keep Up on Drain Cleaning
Regularly assess your drains for signs of buildup or any other issues. If you notice any strange gurgling noises or foul smells coming from your drains, start applying these tips to clean your drain. Maintain a regular drain cleaning schedule, and when necessary, call a professional drain cleaning company or plumber for help.
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