5 Tips To Avoid Clogging Your Drain

Clogged drains are among the most common household plumbing problems. However, they are still a hassle you want to avoid, especially because the added stress on the pipes shortens their lifespan. The good news is that clogged drains can be easily avoided with the following tips.

1. Do Not Treat Your Kitchen Sink Like a Garbage Disposal!

   In order to prevent your kitchen sink from getting clogged, it is important to prevent as few kitchen scraps from going down the sink as possible. Add a sink strainer to your kitchen sink to catch any scraps. Don’t grind up food waste and send it down the drain. Instead, take advantage of your city’s compost program. You will also want to avoid putting grease down the kitchen sink—this is one of the worst things you can put down it.

2. Only Flush Sewage and Toilet Paper Down Your Toilet

   Nothing but sewage and toilet paper should ever be flushed down your toilet. This means no feminine products, baby wipes, etc.

3. Keep the Pop-Up Stopper in Your Bathroom Sink Clean

   The pop-up stopper in your bathroom sink can easily attract hair, dental floss and other debris and ultimately lead to a clogged or slow-draining bathroom sink. To prevent this, remove the stopper from time to time and clean it.

4. Maintain Your Shower Drains

   Just as you want to avoid kitchen scraps from being washed down the sink via a sink strainer, it is also important to add screens over your shower drains in order to prevent hair from causing a clog in your shower drain. On top of that, make an effort to physically remove any buildup of hair every two weeks or so.

5. Maintain Your Sewer Lines or Septic Tank

   Every few years, it is a good idea to have a professional plumber come in and snake your main sewage line if you have municipal sewers. This service will remove any tree roots that have made their way into your pipes and ultimately allow you to prevent a sewage backup. For those with a septic tank, you should have the tank pumped every three to five years.

6. Add Filter Fabric to Your French Drain

   Another type of drain you might have in your home is a French drain. For those who have undergone a French drain installation, filter fabric can prevent clay, rocks and other debris from clogging it.

Whether you are in need of plumbing, drain cleaning services or French drains installation, contact Brothers Plumbing today. Not only do we have over 50 years in the industry, but we also have very affordable rates and offer our services seven days a week.