Clogged drain hints and faq
Clogged drain hints and faq
Clogging of drains is a common occurrence in most households. The bathtub, shower, sink or the toilet is flooded with water in case of a complete drain blockage. At this point, the offending blockage must be removed through all that built up water and chances are that the homeowner will not be able to clear it using household remedies or drain products. If you get a professional plumber to do the job, it will take a great deal of money from your bank account. It will cost more if the blockages are severe or extensive. If you have multiple clogged drains in your home at any given time, you will wish you had taken the precaution to have your drains inspected.
What are causes of blocking of drains?.
Carelessness is the prime cause of clogged drains. Improper usage of the drain strainer to filter out the food particles and rubbish going down the kitchen drain will definitely lead to a drain clog. These particles if not caught in a strainer, will accumulate in the drain and lead to blockage. Cooking oils and grease aggravate potential clogs by lining the pipes. The primary cause of toilet blockages is flushing amounts of toilet paper beyond what is needed down it.
Flushing items not intended for the toilet is also a main cause of clogged toilet drains. Sanitary towels and baby nappies can choke up a toilet immediately or after some time. When hair becomes stuck in pipes and gathers inside, showers, baths and sinks may become blocked. Items such as shampoos, soaps,toothpaste,hair gel further complicate the blockage problem as they accumulate over time.
It is sometimes very unfortunate that these blockages can occur irrespective of what we put into our drains. Plumbing issues have been known to be caused by crushed drainpipes, deterioration of pipes, scale and tree roots.
Solutions for Drain Clogging.
You can give a try and clear the blocked drains with the help of acids and other chemicals which are specifically designed for this purpose. These chemicals, however, can actually be harmful to your pipes, your fixtures, your health and the environment. But the good news is that you can clear the blocked drains in a natural way too. One such method involves running boiling water through the drains on a regular basis. Baking soda and vinegar is an alternative measure. For this you should first put some vinegar in the blocked drain and then sprinkle baking soda over it. Let the mixture sit in the drain for at least 15 minutes, then pour boiling water over it to rinse and hopefully wash the blockage away.
It is better to notice things on time so that you can take some measures to prevent the clogging of drains.
Your home plumbing system works similarly to any mechanical device, tool or motor vehicle. Proper examination and prevention is better than facing a blocked drain. You know your house and the drainage system well, so you could watch out and ensure the pipes stay clean. To avoid the situation of an extremely clogged drain you should get your whole drainage system inspected by a professional drains contractor on a regular basis. To avoid any trouble, get your plumbing technician to snake all the drain lines at least once a year. If you experience drain clogs very often or your pipes are susceptible to blockages, you may wish to have your drain lines snaked more often. Video inspections are another good method to check the drains regularly.
It is very important to have your drains inspected on a regular basis to prevent problems that can be not only expensive, but also very annoying.