Would you believe that drain clogs tend to be the #1 most common plumbing problem among homeowners throughout the U.S.? This shouldn’t come as a surprise—you’ve likely had to deal with one or two throughout the years. Fortunately for you, our experienced plumbers are here to help! If clogs do occur, it’s worth knowing that professional drain cleaning can do more than clear blockages—it can also help prevent future plumbing issues.
But, why not avoid drain clogs altogether if possible? The good news is, it is possible! Our #1 tip? Avoid store-bought chemical drain cleaners! These are caustic and will actually do more harm than good to your drains. If your drain clog cannot be resolved with a plunger and a little bit of “elbow grease” then it’s time to give our pros a call. In the meantime, read these other tips we have about avoiding drain clogs!
How Drain Screens Prevent Clogs
Items like hair, soap scum, and even objects that are accidentally knocked down into drains are among the most frequent sources of drain clogs. You can actually stop most of these from doing down your drains by using drain screens or covers.
Drain covers can be bought pretty affordably online or from your local hardware store. They’re easy to place over the drain to strain out unwanted particles. Drain screens on the other hand do need a bit more installation. You might want to work with a plumber to have one put in. It’s also important that you remove drain screens to clean them off on occasion so they don’t end up stopping up the drains themselves!
Why FOG Causes Kitchen Drain Clogs
FOG stands for “Fats, Oils, and Grease” and these are the byproducts of cooking. They’re also the enemy of kitchen sink drains! Although they are in liquid from when hot, they cool and harden inside the pipes, causing serious backups. If not handled properly, you may end up needing a clogged drain service to resolve a major blockage. We suggest that you pour FOG from cooking into a separate receptacle and putting it in the trash rather than down the drains to protect your plumbing..
Flush Your Drains with Hot Water: When and Why
Let’s say that you did pour FOG down the kitchen sink drain, or sticky hair products down your sink or shower drain in the bathroom. Run some hot water down the drain! This helps break up the material and may help prevent stubborn clogs from forming.
This is also a good habit to get into in general. Hot water helps break down stubborn substances in the drain, and is an easy way to prevent a drain clog headache.
Why Regular Drain Cleaning is Essential
Drain cleaning isn’t just a solution to a problem—it can also prevent problems. Our professional plumbers use powerful hydro-jetting tools to scour out the drainpipe walls of your plumbing system so that it’s harder for things like soap scum and FOG to build up to begin with (this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about FOG though!). Routine maintenance is key, especially when paired with other tips for preventing drain clogs and healthy plumbing habits.
Of course, not all drain clogs are preventable and you may find yourself facing one. If you do, just give our team a call and we’ll be happy to help.
When it’s time to call a professional plumber in Cumming, GA, pick up your phone and give DC Cheek Heating, Cooling & Plumbing a call!
