Do you ever wonder why your drains seem to get clogged up so easily?
It could be because of the things you’re doing without even realizing it.
Here are five common mistakes that people make that can cause their drains to become clogged and some tips to make sure you keep your drains clear and flowing properly.
1. Washing Hair in the Shower or Sink
Washing your hair in a sink or shower is normal, and therefore you may not pay attention to what ends up going down the drain.
But if you have long hair, there will be more of it than usual that goes down the drain, getting caught in plumbing pipes and creating blockages.
The more hair going down the drain means the greater chance you have of clogging your drains.
Make sure to clean out any visible hair from your drain after washing your hair to prevent this from happening.
Experts in drain cleaning in Franklin, IN note that you can also purchase drain guards that catch hairs before they go down the pipes to prevent clogging.
Keep in mind that drain guards need to be cleaned regularly or they won’t work.
2. Rinsing Food Scraps Down the Drain
Rinsing food scraps in your kitchen sink may seem harmless, but it can cause a major plumbing problem.
These can include anything from potato peels to leftover crumbs and even coffee grounds.
While some may be harmless, they can still cause clogging, especially if you have a garbage disposal that’s not working properly.
To avoid this problem, make sure to throw food scraps in the trash instead of putting them down your drain.
If you’re unsure about what items should and shouldn’t go into your drains or garbage disposal, then it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid putting anything down your drains that could potentially cause clogs.
3. Flushing Wipes and Other Non-flushable Items
It’s easy to forget that just because something is labeled “flushable” doesn’t mean it actually belongs in the toilet.
Unfortunately, this means wipes (even those labeled as “flushable”), cotton balls, and other non-flushable items often end up causing clogged drains.
The last thing you want is to deal with a backed-up sink or toilet.
To avoid this, always check the packaging of what you’re about to flush and only put things in the toilet that are actually meant to be flushed.
Toilet paper is perhaps the only thing you can always flush without worry.
Toilet clogs that lead to overflows can be both expensive to fix due and a serious health hazard.
4. Putting Grease and Oils Down the Drain
One of the most common and biggest culprits of clogged drains is grease. When you pour oils or fats down the drain, they can solidify in your pipes. This can cause blockages that are difficult to remove.
Instead, oils and fats should be disposed of in the trash, not flushed down the toilet or sink.
The best way to avoid this problem is by removing grease from pots and pans with a paper towel before washing them in hot soapy water.
By simply making this one small change, you can help to keep your drains clear and flowing.
Grease easily builds up over the years and may eventually require professional help to clear completely.
5. Not Cleaning Your Drains Regularly
Lack of regular drain cleaning is another common mistake that most homeowners make.
Just because your drains are working fine now doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be fine in the future.
If you don’t clean your drains regularly, waste and dirt will continue to build up inside them until they eventually clog and stop working.
You should always have your drains professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year so that everything flows smoothly through them.
Make sure to use a drain cleaner or degreaser at least once a month to keep your drains clear.
Drain Cleaning Is Part of Home Maintenance
Drain cleaning is an essential home maintenance routine that shouldn’t be ignored.
By following these simple tips, you can help prevent costly and inconvenient clogged drains.
However, if you’re constantly having drain clog problems, you may need to contact a drain cleaning service for help.