Pro Tips: Easy Tactics to Keep Your Drains from Backing Up

Clogged drains are one of the more common plumbing problems people experience in their homes. Usually these clogs happen due to hair or other items getting lodged in the drains, but there are other potential causes that you should be aware of, too.

Here are some tips from the best plumbing contractors in Las Vegas, NV to help you prevent clogged drains and backups in your home:

Keep certain items out of your drains

The best thing you can do to prevent drain clogs is avoid letting certain items go down the drain in the first place. In the kitchen, this means you should never put food, coffee grounds or grease down the drain. Any leftover food should go in the refrigerator, trash or compost heap, and grease should be poured into a sealable container and thrown in the trash after it cools down.

In the bathroom, you should use mesh screens or hair catchers to prevent hair from going down the drain. You can find these hair catchers made out of silicone or stainless steel. Brush your hair before showering or bathing to remove loose hair that might otherwise get clogged in the drain.

Watch what you flush down the toilets as well. Toilets should only be used to flush toilet paper and human waste. Anything else could result in a significant clog, and should go in the trash instead.

Engage in regular cleaning

Make it a point to clean your drains once a week. Pull out the stopper in the sink and remove any debris found in the drain, then rinse off the stopper and put it back in place. Do this in your shower and tub drains as well, using a hair-catching brush or bent wire to get hair out of the drains. Flushing the drains with hot water will also help to clear them.

Deep cleaning should occur once a month. This should include thorough cleaning and rinsing of all surfaces and drains, using the proper natural cleaning solutions.

Avoid using chemical drain cleaners whenever possible, as these are highly caustic and dangerous for the environment. Use bacterial drain cleaners instead, which are non-corrosive and biodegradable, meaning you don’t have to worry about them damaging your pipes or becoming problematic in the waterways.

Know how to remove existing clogs

If you do end up experiencing a drain clog or backup, take the proper steps to remove it. Check the drain stopper first, and clean it off before placing it back in the drain. Use plungers designed for your sink or toilet to remove the clog. If the plunger doesn’t work, you may need to try a plumbing snake, pushing it down into the drain and then pulling it back out to remove blockages.

For more information about the steps you can take to prevent issues with clogged drains at your home, we encourage you to contact the best plumbing contractors in Las Vegas, NV at Orchard Plumbing. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have!