At Affordable Drains, we understand that you take pride in keeping your home in good working order. The last thing you want is to deal with a clogged drain or call a plumber when it could have been avoided. By following these 13 simple and effective tips, you can keep your drains flowing freely and prevent clogs before they happen.
For Sinks Without Garbage Disposals
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Keep Food Scraps Out of the Drain
- If your kitchen sink doesn’t have a garbage disposal, avoid letting food scraps go down the drain. Use a drain strainer to catch food particles and prevent them from entering your pipes.
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Never Pour Grease or Oil Down the Drain
- Grease and oil can stick to the inside of your pipes, eventually causing clogs. Instead, pour grease into a sealable container, let it cool, and throw it in the trash.
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Flush Drains with Hot Water Weekly
- Run hot water down your kitchen sink drain once a week to help wash away any grease or fat that may have collected. Be sure to run the water slowly to avoid splashing.
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Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
- Instead of relying on chemical cleaners, which can damage your pipes over time, consider professional drain cleaning services to safely and effectively clear stubborn clogs.
For Sinks with Garbage Disposals
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Avoid Problem Foods
- Certain foods don’t grind well in garbage disposals and can cause clogs. Avoid putting banana peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, potato skins, and other thick or sticky foods down the disposal.
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Run Cold Water While Using the Disposal
- Always run a steady stream of cold water while using your garbage disposal. This helps carry waste material through the drainage system and prevents buildup.
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Keep the Disposal Clean
- To prevent odors, run the disposal with a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon or orange. This helps clean the blades and freshen the drain naturally.
In the Bathroom
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Clean Drain Stoppers Regularly
- Hair, soap scum, and other debris can collect on stoppers in your bathroom sink and tub, leading to slow drains or clogs. Clean them regularly to keep water flowing smoothly.
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Flush Only Toilet Paper
- Never flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. Items like paper towels, wipes, and feminine hygiene products can cause serious clogs in your plumbing system.
General Tips for All Drains
- Use Drain Screens
- Place drain screens over all your drains to catch food, hair, soap scum, and other debris before they enter your pipes. These are affordable and available at most hardware stores.
- Avoid Dumping Harmful Substances
- Never pour paint, paint thinner, or other chemicals down your drains. These substances can damage your pipes and the environment.
- Maintain Your Septic Tank
- If you have a septic system, have it inspected every 2-3 years and pumped regularly by professionals. This prevents backups and keeps your system functioning properly.
- Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance
- Even with the best prevention methods, buildup can occur over time. Affordable Drains offers annual maintenance plans to keep your drains clear and your plumbing system running efficiently.
Why Choose Affordable Drains?
Preventing clogs is always better than dealing with the hassle of a major plumbing issue. However, when clogs do happen, Affordable Drains is here to help. We provide 24/7 emergency drain cleaning services to homes and businesses in Spokane and Northern Idaho. With advanced tools like high-pressure hydro jetting and HD color video inspections, we can tackle even the toughest clogs safely and effectively.
Contact Affordable Drains Today!
Don’t let clogs disrupt your day—trust the experts at Affordable Drains to keep your plumbing system in top shape. Call us at (509) 683-7246 or visit www.affordable-drains.com to schedule your professional drain cleaning or maintenance service.
With these tips and a little help from Affordable Drains, you can keep your home’s drains happy, healthy, and clog-free!
