Getting into a hot shower in the morning is a luxury most Americans take for granted. You might not even realize this until you get in and discover the drain isn’t working.
Suddenly, your feet are submersed in inches of water, and the level keeps rising!
A clogged drain is a common problem, unfortunately. But there are ways to prevent clogs. In fact, keeping the p-trap clean in your drains stops 90% of clogs.
Proper drain care techniques also help. To avoid clogs, learn how to care for your drains.
Keep reading to learn the best tips to follow this fall in Palmetto, GA.
Common Causes of Clogs
You can avoid drain care services by learning how to use your drains. The first step is understanding the common causes of clogs. Here are some:
Grease
Throwing grease down your kitchen drain is tempting. Unfortunately, grease is a leading cause of plumbing clogs.
Grease hardens when it cools off. When it hardens, it creates clogs in the pipes.
Keep your drains cleaner by pouring grease into containers instead of your drains. You can dispose of the grease containers in your trash. This method is a safe way to handle grease.
Hair
Keeping hair out of your drains also helps you avoid a drain clog. Hair naturally falls out when you wash your hair. It can also fall out when you brush your hair.
Hair tangles up in your drain pipes. It also attaches to other debris in the pipes. If too much hair enters your drain pipes, you’ll end up with a clogged drain.
Products
Other products you use also cause drain clogs.
For example, many people throw baby wipes in their toilets. Baby wipes will not break down like toilet paper. Instead, they lodge in your pipes, leading to clogs.
Chemicals, sanitary products, diapers, and food also collect inside pipes. Avoid throwing any of these items in your drains.
Stick to the 3 P’s Rule
The best drain care technique to use is the 3 P rule. This rule instructs you to use your drain for three things:
- Pee
- Poop
- Paper (toilet)
A plumbing system is quite simple. It contains drains and pipes that lead to a sewer system. Your sewer system might be a city system. However, many homeowners have private systems.
In any case, these systems are designed to handle these three things only. Placing any other items in your drains leads to problems.
Caring for your system isn’t challenging if you follow this rule. You’ll greatly reduce your chances of clogs by following this rule.
Take Additional Steps
Of course, you can do other things that also help protect your drains. Here are some of the top steps:
Pump Your Septic Tank Regularly
A private septic tank includes a tank underground on your property. The tank holds your waste but fills up as you use your plumbing system. A plumber can pump your tank to empty it.
Without tank pumping, your tank will get too full. At some point, it won’t hold any more waste. When this occurs, waste can back up into your home through your drains.
Waste also backs up into your drains when drains get clogged. If your drain pipes have clogs, the waste comes back up, as it has nowhere to go.
Place Screens Over Your Drains
Using your drains properly is vital, yet debris can still get into them. For example, hair can get into your drains if you’re not careful. To block more debris, place screens over your drains.
This step is especially important for your tub drains. It’s also helpful for sink drains.
Avoid Using a Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is handy, as it grinds food particles and sends them to your septic. Unfortunately, using it fills up your septic tank faster. Using it also increases the risk of food lodging in your pipes.
Therefore, cut back on your usage. Instead of placing food in the disposal, throw it away or place it outside for animals.
Clean Your Drains
One of the best drain care services to perform is drain cleaning. You can do this yourself and with natural products.
Vinegar is one item you can use that cleans drains. You can also use baking soda, lemon juice, and boiling water.
Choose a Reputable Plumber
Being intentional about how you use your drains is helpful. These steps can help you avoid most clogs and backups. However, you might still encounter times when you need plumbing services.
One of your toilets might leak. You might have a faucet that keeps dripping. These are some common plumbing issues that can happen to homeowners.
When they happen, you’ll need to call your plumber. It’s important to have a plumber to call when these problems arise. So find a good one.
Look for these qualities in a plumber:
Good Reputation
Companies build their reputations by offering great services over many years. A good company has a great reputation. Read reviews to find out what people think.
Look up the company on third-party rating sites to see what you can find. Read their website, too. These are all good ways to judge a company’s character and reputation.
Reasonable Prices
Finding a company with affordable prices also matters. When you experience a plumbing problem, contact a company and ask for a quote.
Types of Services They Offer
It might also be helpful to find a company that offers all the services you need. For example, some plumbing companies also offer HVAC services.
If you find a company that offers both, you can call them for all your plumbing and HVAC issues.
Focus on Drain Care to Prevent Clogs
Drain care is vital if you own a home. When you use your drains properly, they’ll work well. But you might encounter times when you have trouble with them.
Progressive Heating, Air & Plumbing is a company you can trust. We’ve serviced Palmetto, GA, since 1994 and offer all the services you need.
We provide estimates, timely appointments, and financing options.
If you have a clogged drain, reach out to us to schedule an appointment for services.