Keeping Drains Clean

We’ve all experienced a drain that is working slowly or in some cases is plugged completely. Television commercials have convinced the majority of weekend plumbers that they need to get the most potent “Clog-B-Gone” chemical to remove the blockage. Before you turn your plumbing into a science project be sure you’ve exhausted your other alternatives first.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that is certainly true with your drains. If you want to avoid having a clogged drain then you need to avoid substances that cause stoppages to begin with. Hair is a very common clog that can be avoided by having a coarse screen over the drain to catch it. Cooking grease should be collected in a coffee can or other heat proof container and it should never be poured down a drain. Coffee grounds are another common item that should be sent out with the garbage and never down your drain.

If you do find yourself with a slow or plugged drain, there are home remedies that can be used. Hot water or hot salt water may be all it takes to get the drain moving again. Baking soda and vinegar are very effective at freeing clogged drains. Simply pour a half a cup of baking soda into the drain and chase it with a half a cup of white vinegar. Let this sit overnight and flush it with hot water in the morning.

Still having problems? Try the mechanical route with the trusty old plunger. Place it over the mouth of the drain and be sure you have a good seal all the way around. Using sharp up and down movements, try and force the obstruction through the drain. If the drain is still plugged it might be time to call in the cavalry.

A professional plumber will have access to better tools and can diagnose just what the problem is. If multiple drains are evacuating slowly, for example, then you may have a problem with a sewer main. If you have trees in the yard and older drains then roots may be the culprit. Your professional will know what to look for and how to fix it.