Most people are passionate about their homes. To them, maintaining and keeping it clean is not just a chore but a matter of pride. But when it comes to blocked drains, all the rosy pictures of owning a house go flying out the window. There is simply no way to sugarcoat a clogged drain to make it look any less nasty.
If you are like most homeowners who balk at the thought of taking on greasy, slimy, and smelly scum to get things flowing again, your best option is to call in the professionals.
Licensed plumbers have the tools and skills to face a blocked drain so you won’t have to. In the meantime, here are a few things you can watch out for to protect your drains and plumbing:
- Hair
An average person sheds about 100 strands of hair a day. If you have a pet, there is also its fur to think of. All these and other stringy stuff have to go somewhere. And if you are not careful, they could end up right where you don’t want it to: the drain.
Hair, when combined with grease or soap, can create a sticky substance that is tough to break and remove from a hard-to-access pipe. To prevent this, install guards or filters to all your drains and clean them regularly.
- Soap
Some people are unaware that soap is actually made of fat and grease. These substances can combine with the minerals in water to form a tough residue. Over time, it can stain bathroom fixtures, or worse, cause blocked drains.
To prevent this, switch to soap-free body wash if possible. You can also have your local plumber clean your pipes regularly with pressurised water to remove traces of scum before they become problematic.
- Food Waste
The garbage disposal is considered as the workhorse of the kitchen, designed to deal with food wastes that manage to get into the drain.
It is highly effective, but it should not be the reason for you to treat it like a garbage can.
Not all food waste, whether liquid or solid, is meant for the disposal unit. Fibrous food scraps, such as potato peels, are tough for the impellers to break down—one of the most common causes of garbage disposal problems.
Used cooking oil and other greasy waste should also be disposed of properly and not poured carelessly over the drain.
- Wipes, Diapers, and Other Paper Wastes
Do not flush anything in the toilet, aside from human waste and toilet paper. If you are using the quilted ones, do not use excessively.
These luxurious paper products make your rear feel pampered, but it would not be too great for your plumbing. Some brands claim they are completely safe, but your clogged pipes and blocked drains would beg to disagree.
- Accumulation of Minerals
If hard water is an issue in your area, you should have a water softener installed. The minerals from hard water could easily build up and, over time, clog your drains and pipes.
These insoluble masses are difficult to remove, especially if given time to harden or solidify. Once they do, your only option is to call your local plumber.
Sometimes, bad things happen despite your best efforts, and this includes your plumbing.
Keep your local plumber’s contact numbers on speed dial for all your plumbing needs, whether it is regular maintenance or an emergency.
Author Bio: Anne Davis is a freelance writer who offers to ghostwrite, copywriting, and blogging services. She works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.