Drains play an important role in eliminating wastewater and can help maintain a clean and hygienic home. These structures serve as conduits that divert used water away from sinks and fixtures, ensuring that your pluming system remains in functional condition. When drains become clogged, however, you can experience backups that quickly escalate into expensive repairs. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent the formation of various types of clogs. A look at the top habits for avoiding drain clogs can help you do your part to keep your plumbing in great shape.

1. Use a Mesh Strainer

One of the simplest and most practical ways to prevent clogs is to use a mesh strainer. Also known as a mesh basket or drain trap, this device screens non-liquids and prevents them from flowing down the drain. Mesh strainers come in various sizes, allowing you to choose the right model to catch everything from food scraps in the kitchen sink to stray hairs from the shower drain. You can then remove the strainer and discard these items in the trash.

2. Eliminate Grease

Never pour or rinse grease or cooking oils down your drains. While grease may be in liquid form while hot, it solidifies as it cools and can accumulate on the walls of your plumbing. Substances like fats, oils, and grease can also bond with other solids and create massive clogs over time. Instead of letting grease congeal within your pipes, always collect it in a separate container before it goes down the drain. You can discard or recycle the grease later. For example, some municipalities collect used grease and repurpose it into renewable fuel. You can contact the local government regarding these recycling programs.

3. Collect Food Waste

Another way to prevent clogs is to avoid pushing food scraps down the kitchen sink. These items often take a long time to break down and can create obstructions within your plumbing. Decomposing food items can also create foul smells and can even foster the growth of bacteria or mold. Experts advise collecting organic waste for use as compost instead. Some locations collect compost for sustainability, but you can also create your own compost bin for flowerpots or at-home vegetable gardening.

4. Use the Garbage Disposal Properly

A garbage disposal provides an efficient way to pulverize and safely reduce food waste. Despite the name, however, the garbage disposal is not a trash bin. Avoid putting the following items in a garbage disposal:

  • Bones, eggshells, or oyster shells
  • Coffee grounds
  • Fibrous fruit or vegetable peels
  • Large pits or seeds
  • Household paint

Putting the wrong items in your disposal can damage the device, worsening clogs and eventually necessitating replacement. Instead, only use the garbage disposal to reduce soft organic food waste. Finally, always remember to operate the disposal with a constant flow of cool water during use to help flush residue completely down the pipe.

5. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Commercial drain cleaners often contain harsh and abrasive chemicals that weaken or erode pipes. The damage from such cleaners can actually create clogs as corrosion builds up inside of your plumbing. If the corrosion becomes extensive enough, you may end up needing to replace or re-pipe sections of your plumbing system. Instead of pouring chemicals down your drain, consult with a professional to remove stubborn blockages from your plumbing. A trained professional can use equipment like industrial plungers or plumber’s snakes to remove obstructions from your system.

6. Never Wait for a Mainline Blockage

If you notice recurrent backups or slow drains throughout the home, you may have a mainline blockage. This problem occurs deep within the plumbing system and requires professional intervention. A plumber may be able to use tools like a remove video camera for underground inspection of the problem. Possible causes of mainline blockage include tree root intrusion or collapsed pipes. Regardless of the origin, addressing mainline problems as soon as you see the signs can help you avoid the headache of stubborn clogs later.

7. Schedule Annual Plumbing Maintenance

It is always a wise decision to keep up with annual plumbing maintenance. These maintenance sessions may include invisible inspections, drain cleaning, and repair of minor cracks or leaks. Routine maintenance allows a plumber to troubleshoot problem areas that lead to corrosion and clogs in the long run. From checking for rust to the removal of limescale buildup, a plumber can provide the preventative upkeep needed to reduce the likelihood of sudden plumbing emergencies.

Contact Us Today

Drain clogs can interrupt the simplest activities from cooking to showering. Even if you have done everything in your power to avoid the occurrence of clogs, this problem can still occur within the home from time to time. Fortunately, the experts can help. Raymark Plumbing & Sewer provides plumbing services for homes in Seattle, WA and surrounding areas. We offer plumbing repair, maintenance, and drain cleaning. Our plumbers can fix issues with garbage disposals and diagnose everything from faucets to toilets. If plumbing sections are damaged beyond repair, we also offer efficient repiping. No matter the issue, we can help.

Contact Raymark Plumbing & Sewer for all plumbing needs.

company icon