A blocked drain can be incredibly frustrating and inconvenient. After all there’s nothing worse than attempting to flush a blocked toilet, or a sink filling up as you wash your hands. These are all common and irritating signs of a clogged drain. There is a silver lining though, as in a lot of cases blocked drains can be avoided by following these preventative measures. Here is how to avoid a blocked drain emergency.
Use A Plug Strainer
Small debris is one of the main ways that a drain can clog. A plug strainer catches any food debris from dishes that drops into the kitchen sink. Rinsing dishes before they go into the dishwasher prevents the drain lines from becoming clogged. If you don’t already have a plug strainer you can purchase one at your local hardware store.
You can also get drain strainers that fit in your shower to stop hair and soap scum from blocking your shower drains. This simple and affordable item can vastly reduce the chances of drain problems down the track.
Don’t Flush The Following
When using the toilet it is incredibly important that you only flush toilet paper down the drain. Items such as baby wipes and sanitary products may seem like they are small enough to flush but they have to be disposed of separately, in a bin. This is due to the fact that they are made from plastic and cotton, which will block your drain pipe.
Flushing miscellaneous products can permanently damage your whole sewer drain system, which could result in having to replace all your drains. Educating your household to only flush toilet paper and avoid using too much of it will help to prevent needing emergency plumbing work.
Clean And Clear Regularly
Utilising the optimum drain cover prevents hair from falling down the drain. Pouring a cup of vinegar or a scoop of baking soda down the drain regularly for drain cleaning can also help. Along with the rest of the drains in your household, you should avoid pouring grease or oils down them. Regular cleaning and maintaining your drains can help to keep your sewer line clear. Store it, don’t pour it, dispose of old cooking oils in the correct method by storing them in a jar or sealed container and putting them in your general rubbish bin.
Use Boiling Water
There is a chance that debris will still enter your sink drains, no matter how cautious you are when cleaning. Even when debris is small it has the potential to accumulate further down the track. To keep the damage minimal, pouring a kettle of hot water down your kitchen sink can help. Doing this once per week can melt the build up, within your drains and avoid an emergency drain blockage.
Regular Pipe Inspections
One of the most effective ways to prevent a blocked drain within your plumbing system is by hiring our professional team at GTS Plumbers to check your drains. Drainage issues commonly aren’t identified until there is a significant problem. Our team is able to recognise any buildup that will cause issues for you down the track. Regular inspections are a small investment that prevents a much larger emergency fee if your pipes get clogged.
It is easier to avoid a blocked drain emergency than having to rectify the problem when it occurs. Making some simple adjustments to the way you do things can help to prevent a large amount of time, effort and money in clearing clogged drains. From using a plug strainer to mindful flushing and regular maintenance. There are many ways to avoid a blocked drain emergency.
If you think you may be experiencing a blocked drain or would like to schedule a pipe inspection get in touch with our professional team. At GTS Plumbers Toowoomba we have over 30 years of experience within the plumbing industry. Each job that we take on is completed with the highest quality workmanship.