Here are Some Great Tips About Maintaining Your Drain Line to Prevent Clogging 

Clogged drains are a common problem for homeowners. They can be caused by a variety of factors. It’s pretty common for hair, soap scum, grease, food, and other debris to accumulate in your pipes over time. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to maintain your drain line to prevent clogging. Learn about some tips as we discuss some suggestions and tricks to keep your drains flowing smoothly and avoid costly repairs. 

Use The Tips To Prevent Clogs

1. Use Drain Screens: Installing drain screens in your sinks, showers, and bathtubs is a simple and effective way to prevent clogging. Drain screens catch hair, soap scum, and other debris before it has a chance to enter your pipes.  Drain screens come in many different styles, shapes and colors.  They are very affordable at your local hardware store. Other great resources include Amazon and other online stores. The trick is to use them. When the screen is full, family members can be tempted to clean the screen into the drain rather than take the screen to the trash can and clean it properly. 
     
2. Practice Good Drain Hygiene: One of the simplest ways and most effective to maintain your drain line is to practice good hygiene. This means avoiding putting grease, food, or other debris down your drains. Being mindful of the products you use can prevent costly repairs and a malfunctioning plumbing system. For example, using a lot of hair products can lead to hair clogging your drains.
     
3. Pour Boiling Water Down Your Drains: Boiling water can help to break down grease, soap scum, and other debris that may be building up in your pipes. Pour a pot of boiling water down your drains once a week to keep them flowing smoothly.  Keep in mind this will only help with buildup within your p-trap.  The hot water can only go so far before it cools down.  Pouring boiling water down your line may help clear buildup, sludge and grease from the immediate couple of feet. The only issue is that it could lead to a risk of carrying that grease further down the line and sending the stoppage further down the line.
     
4. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar: Baking soda and vinegar are a powerful and natural way to clean your drains. Simply pour a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Be sure to let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, and then flush it with hot water.  This too can help with an immediate stoppage within the p-trap. Be mindful that this too could simply send the buildup further down the line. It pushes it past the point of the ability for the solution to be effective.
    
5. Clear your drain with a brush:  There are some very affordable and cheap drain brushes or combs on the market. They do an incredible job clearing p-traps of unwanted hair and gunk.  These handy and effective tools are just a few dollars at the hardware store or Amazon. They can clear p-traps in minutes, helping you clear the gunk from your bathroom sink, shower drain and tub drains.
    
6. Proper use of your garbage disposal:  You might be surprised to know there is a right way and a wrong way to use your garbage disposal.  Before you put food debris down your disposal be sure to turn the water on first. Make sure to only put small amounts of food waste down your disposal at a time. Be sure to allow your disposal and the water to run for 15 seconds after you’ve completed putting the food waste down the disposal.  This will ensure that the disposal has had the opportunity to do its job correctly. The running water will clear the disposal, the potrap and the waste tee completely.
     
7. If your drains are frequently clogging: Constantly clogged drains may be an indication its’ time to call a professional. A plumber can assess the problem and determine the best solution. Whether it’s a simple cleaning or a more complex repair a plumbing professional can give you the best options. That being said, sometimes the stoppage is not just a stoppage but a symptom of another issue.  Grease buildup, cast iron lines, roots, bellies in the line are just a few of the issues. These plumbing problems could be the underlying cause of your stoppage.  A camera inspection by a licensed professional can give you a visual inspection of the inside of your drain lines so you can come up with a solution to solve the issue.
     

In conclusion, maintaining your drain line is a simple and effective way to prevent clogging. By using drain screens, practicing good hygiene, pouring boiling water down your drains, using baking soda and vinegar are great practices to keep a healthy plumbing system. As mentioned before it’s also important to hire a professional plumber when necessary. Being aware of when its time to call a professional will help you keep your drains flowing smoothly and avoid costly repairs.  Side note, it is not our professional recommendation to put chemical drain cleaners down your line.  Many chemical drain cleaners can eat through drain lines made of metal and put holes in the line.  So it must be noted that chemical drain cleaners should be a last resort, not a first.  

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