Sewage & Drain Cleaning 101
Fixing up your own plumbing system can seem scary. After all, it’s one of the few realms of home maintenance that’s almost entirely left to the professionals. However, your pipes don’t have to be menacing! Here are some basic tips for routine plumbing, sewage, and drain cleaning in your home.
1: PURCHASE A DRAIN GUARD
First thing’s first, you’ll want to buy a drain guard for your shower. Over time your shower drain will accumulate materials – like hair – that can lead to costly and troublesome drain clogs. By purchasing a drain guard, you can prevent this from happening in the first place. You can find these at any plumbing supply or kitchen and bath store for as low as 5 dollars. Think of it as a lasting investment. While you may not notice all of the benefits immediately, it will save you substantial costs on plumbing and piping issues down the road.
2: PRACTICE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Preventative maintenance is incredibly important for the long-term health of your plumbing system. For drains, this means anticipating blocks before they get bad. If you fear that a drain is clogging up, pour down a heavily salted solution to rid the drain of grease, odors, and buildup. If that doesn’t do the trick, there’s always the green friendly solution of baking soda, followed by vinegar. These homemade remedies for clearing drains are inexpensive, easy to execute, and prevent major blockages from damaging your plumbing system. Remember, the name of the game with sewage and drain maintenance is prevention!
3: SNAKE YOUR DRAINS
Learning how to snake your drains is a cost-effective solution to a simple clog. The easiest part of this process is buying the actual drain snake, which should be labeled as a drain auger at your local plumbing supply store. After that, you’ll want to don the rubber gloves and get to work. Start by placing the end of the snake into your sink, toilet, or whatever drain you want to un-clog. Push the snake through the piping, and keep feeding it until you are certain you have reached – and pierced – the blockage. Once you believe the drain is cleared, try flushing the toilet or turning on the water. Repeat this process until the clog is no more!
4: WATCH WHAT YOU FLUSH DOWN THE TOILET
Most people think that you can flush anything down the toilet, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Certain items should not be flushed! If it’s something that does not naturally break up after sitting in water for an hour or so, then it will likely cause a blockage. Ultimately, it’s a matter of being mindful that the toilet isn’t a catchall repository for unwanted items. Watch what you flush down the toilet or you may face a plumbing crisis in the future.
5: USE DRAIN CLEANER
Earlier we went over some homemade drain cleaning remedies that work wonders. However certain blockages will need something a little more potent. This is where your store bought drain cleaners come in. Due to the chemical makeup of these powerful (and we mean powerful) drain cleaners; you do not want to excessively use them in your pipes, toilet, or sinks. Only in the cases of extreme blockage should you bust these out. If your clog has survived through homemade solutions and drain snakes, you can find that these store-bought cleaners work wonders. If you’re still having problems with your drains after all these remedies, then you’ll want to call in the professionals.
While you may not be a plumbing expert, taking advantage of these simple tips can save you major headaches down the road. When you need a professional for a plumbing repair, contact the folks at SameDay Heating & Air. To learn more or schedule an appointment, give us a call at (801) 726-3329.
