Plugged drains happen. They usually happen at the most inopportune time. I remember, as a child, my dad trying to fix a clogged toilet on Christmas (we learned a lot of new words that day). Later in life, I remember trying to fix a clogged sink, hours before a party (I repeated a lot of words I learned from my dad that day). So, what are the causes of these obnoxious pipe guests and what can we do to keep them at bay?
Causes
- A buildup of soap and hair are usually to blame in the bathroom
- Grease and trapped food are usually the cause of kitchen clogged drains
Prevention
- Never, ever put grease or oil down your drain. Grease solidifies in a drain and makes it impassable to anything including water. There are plenty of secondary concerns also; your septic system, sewer system and the environment all lose.
- Don't put coffee grounds down the drain. As one, arrogant, plumber wrote online, "I love it actually. In and out usually in 20 minutes and $$$ later I am on to the next misuse of drains."
- Use chemical cleaners sparingly. These chemicals are often caustic, corroding your pipes.
- Clean any strainers that can be removed. Reach down the drain with a bent hanger and remove any debris that is accumulating.
- Rinse off the pop-up stoppers that are in your sink and tub. These stoppers notoriously snag debris as water runs down the drain. Rinsing them off weekly will help to avoid bigger problems.
A little bit of cleaning and preventive maintenance can go a long way with keeping your drains clean and healthy. If your drain clogs ever get out of control, Haley Mechanical can provide you with an expert plumber in Dexter, Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti, Brighton and more.