It can be easy to take the drains in your home for granted. As long as the water flows out of sinks, tubs, and showers, there is no reason to give them another thought. However, it is crucial to understand that each of these essential drains in your home can begin to show signs of a blockage at any time. And unless you pay attention to the indication of upcoming trouble and address it correctly, you could be in for a costly plumbing bill, water damage repairs, and a huge mess. But a few simple tips on correcting drain issues early can help you avoid all of those costly and unpleasant issues.
Bathroom Sink Clogs
Everyone will quickly agree that no household can exist without a functioning bathroom sink. And larger families will add that multiple bathroom sinks are the only way to keep everyone’s day on schedule. So when you start to notice that a bathroom sink is not draining as quickly as it typically did, it is time to take action.
Bathroom sink drains see a lot of wear and abuse from toothpaste, soap scum, and loose hair. When all of these items get washed down the drain, a clog is sure to be in the near future. To prevent a nasty clog or even a complete blockage, weekly cleaning with a pot of boiling water can do wonders. If you are no so keen on carrying a pot of boiling water across the house or upstairs, pour a cup of baking soda down the sink drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the bubbles do the job of loosening up the goop in the drain for a few minutes. Then flush the drain with hot water for a couple of minutes.
Tub And Shower Drains
These drains see the most soap and residue build-up from oil-based body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. That oil clings to the drain line and dries to form a sticky mess that snags dirt particles, loose hair, and other foreign matter. Boiling water and a bit of plunging is the best way to loosen this sticky grime and blast it away. The baking soda and vinegar can also work with a bit of added plunging.
The Kitchen Sink Drain
This drain sees a massive amount of abuse if you own a garbage disposal. Most people are unaware of the proper use of a disposal. It is not a meat grinder or magic device. It should only see small bits of food rinsed from dishes and cookware. In addition, there should never be any oil or grease washed down the drain. Boiling water is the best way to reduce the greasy build-up in a kitchen sink drain. Baking soda and vinegar can be used for added cleaning and to remove foul odors.
The Biggest Mistake
The biggest mistake that homeowners make when dealing with a slow clearing drain is trying chemical drain cleaners. These caustic acids are designed to create heat to try to melt drain clogs. But in most cases, the chemicals damage the drain lines long before they have any significant impact on the clog.
The only safe solution for a severe drain clog is professional drain cleaning and clog removal. The pros only use a high-pressure water jet to blast away clogs and remove all the sticky residue inside your home’s drain lines. Call (540) 507-2904 to schedule a professional drain cleaning with the licensed plumbers at Assure Plumbing & Septic. We are so sure our process will work that we back it with a one-year warranty against future drain clogs.