After all the activity of the holidays, the new year is a good time to give your drains some extra care. This means keeping them clean, free of clogs, and maybe having a plumber come out to inspect your entire plumbing system. Here are some things you can do to help your drains.
Keep Oils, Fats, and Grease Out of the Drain
Oils, fats, and grease are major culprits when it comes to clogging your drain, though it’s inevitable that some small amount of cooking fat is going to end up in your wastewater pipes. One way to keep fats and oils from going down your drain is to recycle them. Cover a jar set aside for this purpose with a coffee maker filter. Pour the oil or liquefied fat through the filter into the jar, and then use it again. If the fat is too old to use again, pour it into an old milk carton or another container, and then toss it in the garbage. Some recycling centers also take used cooking oil.
As for the oil that does manage to get down the drain, defeat it with a regular treatment of baking soda and white vinegar flushed with hot water.
Use Strainers
When you take a shower, hair and soap scum inevitably find their way down the drain. This can be counteracted with a strainer that you simply drop into your drain opening. It will catch most of the debris for you. All you need to do is take the strainer out once in a while and toss the debris in the garbage.
Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals
It’s tempting to use those harsh, lye-based drain cleaners if you have a tough clog. Using them once in a blue moon probably won’t damage your drain pipe, but using them every time you have a clog will. Depending on their material, drain pipes can be cracked, softened, or corroded by harsh chemicals. This can lead to leaks. Even if they don’t cause leaks, they can actually harden the clogs and destroy the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. They can even endanger your health if they give off dangerous fumes or burn your skin if you don’t handle them the right way.
Instead of harsh chemicals, use the baking soda, vinegar, and hot water treatment, snakes, or plungers. There are even cubes of freeze-dried bacteria that actually eat a clog in the drain when applied. If the clog still doesn’t respond, don’t hesitate to call in a plumber.
Call Us for Drain Care Advice
Drains may be easy to clog, but they’re also easier to keep clear than you may think. If you’re in need of drain cleaning services for a stubborn clog, get in touch with our team at Big Sky in Helena, MT today.