HOW TO PREVENT CLOGGED DRAINS: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE

July 13, 2017

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our decades of service, it’s this: A drain will always get clogged at the worst possible time. And, while some clogs are more difficult to resolve than others, they’re always an unwelcome surprise. 

It may not be possible to prevent every clog, but they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so we’ve created this guide to give you all of the insider tips on how to prevent clogged drains.

15 WAYS TO PREVENT CLOGGED DRAINS

Let’s face the truth: Pouring it down the sink is probably bad if it isn't soap and water, right? We rely on our sinks, showers, and toilets every day, so consider the following 15 suggestions for how to prevent clogged drains.

1. CLEAN YOUR PIPES MONTHLY

Keep hair and grease from building up by cleaning your pipes once a month with a non-corrosive drain cleaner based on safe bacteria. You can also talk to us about our professional drain clearing services.

2. USE HOT WATER

Run some hot water down drains, especially where you may have been cleaning off dishes with oil build-up or food residue.

3. ADD BAKING SODA

Pouring a little baking soda down the drain, followed by hot water, helps clear a drain before it gets a chance to become backed up. You may find combining baking soda and vinegar to be effective as well.

4. FIX RECURRING TREE ROOT BLOCKAGES

Fix the underlying cause of recurring blockages rather than face the costs of frequent backups. You can monitor tree roots that could obstruct your sewer lines by having a professional scope the line using a remote camera down the drain. Cut these roots back before they cause an expensive sewer line backup into your home.

5. DON’T FLUSH THAT DOWN THE TOILET

It might sound like we’re joking, but there are only three things that should ever get flushed down the toilet—toilet paper and the two most obvious other items! Paper towels, tampons, dental floss, and other small items go straight into the trash can, okay?

6. USE A DRAIN SCREEN

Hair is one of the leading causes of a clogged drain. Use a simple mesh drain screen for your tubs and showers. Cheap, easy, and effective!

7. CLEAN YOUR SINK STRAINERS

Are you using sink strainers? Great! We’re proud of you! But you know you still have to clean them out as well, right?

8. DON'T DUMP PAINT DOWN THE DRAIN

Never dump paint down the drain where it can collect over time and become a nearly impossible blockage to clear.

9. INSTALL A LINT CATCHER

Many wouldn’t even think of the effect of lint entering their drain. Installing a lint catcher in your washing machine prevents laundry lint from entering your plumbing and causing a blockage.

10. BE MINDFUL WHEN BATHING PETS

Pets can be more than a handful when giving them a bath. But don’t let that distract you from keeping pet hair from going down the drain. Use a drain catcher, and throw any loose fur away before it makes its way down the drain.

11. DON'T BRUSH YOUR HAIR IN THE SHOWER

Brush and style your hair in front of a mirror and throw away any strands of hair from your comb or brush.

12. FLUSH REGULARLY

This isn’t just about your toilets getting backed up. Often, your fixtures and pipes aren’t getting a large enough volume of water to clear debris that builds up in them. Run several gallons of hot water occasionally to keep that buildup from turning into a clog.

13. GET RID OF THE GREASE

Collect cooking grease and dispose of it. Trust us: You don’t want this stuff going down your pipes. As soon as hot grease cools off, it congeals, and everything gets stuck in it. Yuck!

14. KEEP YOUR DISPOSAL CLEAN

Your garbage disposal may help grind down small amounts of food waste, but it should be used sparingly. You can keep it clean with a special brush or grind up some ice cubes with salt to cut grease and clean the sides.

15. DON’T EMPTY COFFEE GROUNDS INTO THE SINK

Throw your coffee grounds away or use them to fertilize your soil. Whatever you do—don’t pour them down the drain where they’re just waiting to collect debris and clog up the pipes.

Every one of these preventative methods is effective in helping you prevent clogged drains. However, despite your best efforts, you may have a more serious blockage that requires professional help. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR CLOGGED DRAIN MAINTENANCE?

Taking care of your drains by keeping them clear will help extend the lifespan of your entire plumbing system. You’ll enjoy better water flow, avoid unpleasant (and hard to diagnose) odors, and prevent costly repairs. 

Preventative clogged drain maintenance also helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, which can lead to health issues.

WHAT WILL UNCLOG A DRAIN NATURALLY?

Hot water! It doesn’t get any more natural than that, right? If running a few gallons of hot water isn’t helping to unclog the drain, try using baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water.

Not sure how serious your clogged drain is? Contact us or give us a call at 732-733-2541.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL A PLUMBER FOR A CLOGGED DRAIN?

If you’re experiencing a serious clog, unpleasant odors, or water backing up from multiple drains, you should contact a professional plumber right away. If you’re not sure what to do, give one of our friendly plumbing experts a call at 732-733-2541.