When it comes to home maintenance, people often overlook drain cleaning. If your drains accumulate enough debris to become clogged regularly, the plumbing bills can add up. The professionals are always ready to help, but the following tips can help you save money by doing drain maintenance to keep your home’s pipes clear without emptying your wallet.
Prevent Clogs in the First Place
Since clogged drains often result directly from the hair, food particles, and other items that go down the pipes, the first line of defense is to install drain screens to keep most non-liquid things out of the drain. You can also flush the gutters regularly with hot water. If anything has started to accumulate over time, hot water can help it soften, break up, and move along so that your drain remains clear.
DIY Drain-Cleaning Methods
You can use a safe drain cleaner made with ingredients from your kitchen. This eco-friendly formula is safe for your pipes and won’t cause any skin burns or lung issues like some caustic drain cleaners can. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down your drain first, then follow it with 1 cup of white vinegar. These kitchen ingredients’ foaming action and eco-friendly cleaning power can clear out built-up debris in the pipes before it accumulates enough to clog the drain.
If this step doesn’t work, you may need a plunger and a metal snake. The plunger uses pressure to break up clogs, and the snake can travel farther down the pipe and dislodge stuck balls of hair and other drain debris.
Improve Your Household Drain Habits
Your kitchen’s garbage disposal was made to chop soft foods into bits that wash down the pipes. However, putting grease, coffee grounds, potato peels, or other items down the drain can cause clogs. For example, oil can harden and capture other debris, completely blocking the drain.
Your toilet is also essentially a drain, and due to its larger size, many things get flushed down, only to cause expensive clogs. Avoid flushing anything bulky or non-biodegradable because it will remain solid in the pipes, potentially catch other items that flow past, and grow into a difficult clog. To be safe, flush only human waste and toilet paper.
Regular Maintenance
Schedule an annual check-up for your plumbing to identify brewing issues before they become more costly problems. Some plumbers offer economical maintenance plans that include drain cleaning in their list of services.
Clear, Fresh Drains Keep Your Home Running Smoothly
Implementing these budget-friendly tips lets you skip paying plumbing bills and clear your drains. A little preventive work and good habits can save you money and hassle in the long run.
Don’t risk having the drains clog up and put your home at risk for water damage and other issue. Schedule a maintenance call with a professional, licensed plumber from Viking Plumbing in Boise, ID today.