Put clogged drains behind you with these recommended guides
Put clogged drains behind you with these recommended guides
Everyone experiences clogged drains at some time and when they occur it is not fun. A choked drain in a sink, toilet, shower or bathtub can quickly cause waste water to accumulate. By the time all that water has piled up, it’s too late to use drain clearing products or quick fixes, as the blockage lies deep in the pipework. At times like this, calling a professional plumber can cost you a fortune. The more stubborn the blockage in your drain is, the higher the cost can be. In case of multiple blocked drains simultaneously at a particular time in your home, the cost will escalate and you will regret for not having inspected your drains before.
How Do Clogged Drains Happen?.
The primary reason behind drain blockage is carelessness and negligence. Improper usage of the drain strainer to filter out the food particles and rubbish going down the kitchen drain will definitely lead to a drain clog. These particles if not caught in a strainer, will accumulate in the drain and lead to blockage. Accumulation of cooking grease or oil in the drain pipes can make the situation even worse. When it comes to toilets, it is the excessive flushing of the toilet paper which can cause the blockage.
Flushing of other non typical items into the toilet drain often leads to clogging. Paper towels, baby wipes, and sanitary napkins have adverse effects both independently and together that increases clogging. Hair often gets entangled in the pipes and clog the bathtubs, showers and the sinks. Items such as shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, hair gel, exacerbate the problem as they produce a build up that further adds to the blockage.
It is sometimes very unfortunate that these blockages can occur irrespective of what we put into our drains. Some common plumbing problems faced are due to crushed drains, rusted pipes, tree roots and scale.
There are a number of rectification methods for a drain clog.
You can attempt to clear clogged drains yourself by using acids or other chemical products designed for this purpose. However you should note that using such chemicals can be harmful for health and environment and can also damage the pipes and fixtures. Fortunately there exist natural methods to clear drain blockages. For example, flushing your pipes with boiling water periodically can keep them clear. The use of baking soda and vinegar is an alternative measure that can be taken. The clogged drain should be treated with vinegar and then later baking soda should be sprinkled over it. The mixture should be allowed to sit in the drain for at least 15 minutes; then attempt to wash the blockage away by pouring boiling water over the drain to rinse it.
The easiest maintenance method is to keep inspecting your drain pipes regularly and prevent problems rather than facing a problem later.
The plumbing system works in the same manner as your car or any other machine. Similar to all your possessions, it also needs constant examination and ongoing maintenance. You can be vigilant about what’s going on with your drains and pipes and perform part of the inspection yourself, as you are most familiar with how the drains behave. Get the drains regularly checked by a professional plumber or drains contractor to avoid worries and expenditure on severe drain blockages. To avoid any trouble, get your plumbing technician to snake all the drain lines at least once a year. In case of frequent blockages your pipes and drains are vulnerable, inspect the drain lines quite often to get early warning. Video inspections are another good method to check the drains regularly.
Regular expert inspection of your drainage system can ensure that your pipes (and not your pockets) are completely drained and cleaned out!.