Drain clogs are never fun to deal with, but they seem to inevitably be a part of every household’s burden at some point in time. Most of the clogs take form in the traps of the pipes coming from sinks, commodes, showers, or bathtubs. They are normally not difficult to dislodge with a plunger, a drain snake, or drain chemicals.
Fortunately, a good number of clogs can also be avoided. First by avoiding the waste disposal down the drain that can cause a clog, secondly by maintaining a twice a year routine of clearing out the drains.
You’ve probably heard this many times, but in case not we’ll say that your plumbing is like the other important systems in your home…it needs regular maintenance, inspection, and repair.
Most people don’t realize this about plumbing systems. One would think that the pipes, connections, and fixtures are just supposed to do their work and not bother anyone until it’s time to be replaced. But that simply isn’t the case.
Whether you own the home or you’re renting makes little difference. However you look at it, you will be affected when there’s a plumbing issue so it’s best to do everything possible to avoid problems before they happen.
Inspecting your plumbing parts and pieces, fixtures and pipes, and any appliances that use them is the first thing you want to be sure to put down on your calendar to do at least a couple of times a year.
You’ll be looking for any leaks, any rusty looking pipes, any exposed pipes that need insulating from cold weather, all connections to ensure they’re solid, and plumbing parts including shut off valves coming to and from water heaters, dishwashers, ice makers, commodes, sinks, etc. Also check all faucets and shower heads for leaking or proper function.
Outdoors, you’ll also want to ensure that you don’t have any tree roots growing nearby your pipelines from your water source. If you’re on municipal utilities, you can call your provider and tell them you need to find out where your water lines are on the property. With this information, you can figure out whether any trees or tree roots need to be removed.
Roots can infiltrate the pipes and cause clogs that are very difficult to remove. They start by growing roots around the pipe and will eventually cause it to crack from the pressure. Then can grow right through the piping and on up the line.
Tree roots are a main cause of drain clogs. Another cause is what people throw down their drains. In the kitchen, the most common drain clog consists of organic waste and grease. In the bath, the most common clogs are caused by improper trash disposal in the commode and hair in the shower or bathtub drains.
You can avoid most clogs by putting waste where it should go. Anything but toilet paper and human waste should be disposed of by other means. Toys, fish, sanitary products, paper, plastic, cigarette butts, and everything else should go in the trash can.
By avoiding and maintaining, you can ensure that your drains won’t clog in your home. But if they do, you can count on your local Orange County Plumbers here at Best Electrical Plumbing Heating & Air to be there in a flash to help you out. We’re available 24/7 for your emergency calls or if you have any questions you need to ask.
Dealing with Clogged Drains
