What Do Plumbers Recommend To Keep Drains Clean?
A clogged drain is a plumbing issue that many homeowners face. According to a study published by PR Newswire, a trusted global news distribution and media communication platform, an estimated 20% and 9% of homeowners have toilets and sinks that are frequently clogged, respectively. While statistical data is not available, many also experience main sewer line clogs that adversely affect drains in their homes.
Consequences of Not Clearing Clogged Drains Promptly
Ignoring or failing to promptly clear a clogged drain can have immediate and long-term consequences, ranging from unpleasant odors and health risks to potential structural damage and environmental issues, like water pollution and pest infestation.
Either ignoring or waiting too long to clear a clogged drain can also lead to higher-than-usual water bills and an increased risk of electrical hazards, such as short circuits, power surges, and even fires. While some homeowners intentionally ignore drain problems or wait too long to address them, some don’t realize that they have a drainage issue to begin with.
Common Telltale Signs of a Drain Clog
While slow drainage, water backups, and standing water are the most common signs of a drain clog, they are hardly the only ones.
The following are also signs of a clogged drain:
- Changes in water pressure or water flow
- Debris coming out of fixtures
- Foul odors
- Frequent clogs in multiple fixtures
- Gurgling or bubbling noises
- Overflowing sinks, bathtubs, or toilets
- Pooling water in a home’s yard if the main line is clogged
- Staining around drains, fixtures, or both
Where Are Drain Clogs Most Likely To Occur in a Home?
In residential homes, bathroom and kitchen drains are the two drains that become clogged the most. Foreign objects, such as children’s toys and hair accessories, are notorious for clogging toilets. In kitchens and bathrooms, sinks often become clogged due to p-trap blockages, which can occur when hair, soap scum, food particles, grease, oil, and other debris repeatedly go down the drain. Blocked p-traps can also clog shower drains.
For reference, a p-trap is the curved piece of pipe under sinks and shower drains. They hold a small amount of water to block harmful, foul-smelling sewer gases that would otherwise enter the home. Along with p-trap blockages, mineral deposits from hard water can sometimes build up in regular bathroom and kitchen pipes. That buildup, especially when combined with other debris, can lead to clogs.
Lastly, a clogged main sewer line can affect the entire plumbing system in a home. Such clogs can trigger multiple drain backups, which can cause flooding, unpleasant odors, and costly water damage. They can also cause problems outside of the home.
According to most professional plumbers, a clogged main line can cause wastewater to leak into a home’s yard, leading to the development of soggy or unusually lush patches of grass. The same applies to standing water, which can attract disease-carrying mosquitoes. Tree roots invading a main sewer line are the primary cause of such clogging. Other contributors include grease and debris buildup, old or damaged pipes, and poor or improper plumbing connections.
What Do Plumbers Recommend To Keep Drains Clean?
Clean drains are less likely to cause plumbing problems. That’s pretty much the consensus among professional plumbers in Gainesville, FL. Most of these same plumbers recommend the following to help keep drains free from harmful clogs:
Salt and White Vinegar
Not all clogs require the expertise of a professional plumber. Sometimes, DIY drain cleaning is enough to break up debris and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains. However, it is best to avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can corrode and weaken pipes, both of which can lead to complete pipe failure. Table salt and white vinegar can be just as effective in removing some clogs and a whole lot safer.
This DIY drain cleaning solution entails pouring one tablespoon of salt and a 1/4 cup of plain white vinegar into your kitchen or bathroom drain opening. Allow the solution to sit for at least one hour before running hot water down the drain to break up and flush away sediment, soap scum, hair, and other debris.
Remove Grease Clogs
Grease clogs can do a number on kitchen drains. Fortunately, clearing such clogs, in most cases, is a DIY affair. To clear out clogged grease from a kitchen sink, you will need liquid dish detergent and steaming hot water. Pour around a tablespoon of dish liquid directly into the drain, and pour in a little bit of the steaming hot water at a time. The combination of hot water and dish liquid does a great job of softening and dissolving accumulated grease.
Run Cold Water While Running Your Kitchen Disposal
If steaming hot water and liquid dish detergent do not break up and remove grease clogs from your kitchen drain, running cold water down the drain while simultaneously running your garbage disposal might help. Running cold water keeps grease clogs in a solid state, which makes it easier for the garbage disposal to break them up.
Periodically Pour Hot Water Down Your Drain
Periodically pouring hot water down your kitchen and bathroom drains is a great way to prevent clogs from happening in the first place. For kitchen drains, this simple DIY solution melts and flushes away light grease deposits that would otherwise turn into hard-to-remove clogs. For bathroom sink drain pipes, it keeps excess soap scum and gunk from accumulating and clogging up sink and shower drains.
Annual Professional Drain Cleaning
Yearly professional drain cleaning by a licensed plumber can go a long way to keeping drains in your home clog-free. Plumbers use camera scopes to detect clogs and to assess the overall health of your pipes. Sometimes hard water can also can wreck havoc on your plumbing and damage your pipes. To remove clogs or to perform general cleaning, they use drain snakes, hydro-jetting, and other equipment. Professional cleaning and inspections can go a long way toward preventing severe clogs and extending the life of a home’s plumbing system.
In summary, clogged drains can quickly become a plumbing nightmare if not promptly addressed. Fortunately, there are DIY and professional drain cleaning solutions that can break up debris and keep drains clog-free. To learn more or to schedule a service call, consider speaking with a Gainesville Benjamin Franklin Plumbing associate today.