Homeowners abuse their drains just about every day either through neglect or bad habits. This causes major clogs that can back up the piping in their entire home. However most are unaware of what they do to cause clogs and seem quite surprised to find out they could have contributed by bathing, washing dishes, or using the toilet as a trash can which isn’t good for your drainage system. Orsack Plumbing Company wants to make homeowners aware of the common causes of clogged drains and piping and what can be done to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Bathtub, Shower & Sink Drain Strainers
To start, all your drains should have a mesh screen strainer over them to prevent large items from dropping into your drains. This also makes it easier to clean up hair in bathrooms, or larger food chunks in the kitchen sink. You will find a variety of sizes and shapes to fit just about any drain.
How to Keep Hair from Clogging Shower Drains
New habits need to be created. Hair is the number one offender when it comes to clogged drains. People lose hair every day. A new habit of brushing hair before bathing or showering will remove the majority of hair loss at that time and prevent hair from clogging up the drains. Combine this habit with the mesh screens and this should help keep nearly all of the hair out. Although some hair may still slip through, it will not be enough to clog drains.
How to Stop Dog Hair from Going Down the Drains
For those with pets, and if the weather permits, bathe them outside. We understand that during the colder months you will want to bathe them inside where it is warmer. However pet hair is terrible on drains. If you wash your pets indoors during the winter, place a cloth over the drain to help catch the hair. Dispose of the hair in the trash can. If your pets are small enough you may want to consider using a washtub instead. Be sure to pour the excess water outside.
Toy Stuck in Toilet?
Teach children early on about how to maintain drains and not to stick anything in the faucet drains, or worse, the toilet. Children are the worst for flushing toys or too much toilet paper that causes clogs. So it is good to teach them how much toilet paper is actually needed and not to put any foreign objects down the toilets or drains of the sinks or tubs.
How to Prevent Clogged Drains & Toilets
Consider getting a good plunger or drain snake (also known as an Auger) and learn how they work to manage the small clogs. Clogs eventually happen and you want to be prepared for them when they do. Most clogs can be removed without the need of harsh chemicals. With the proper tools on hand, you will find you can handle many of these clogs on your own. Don’t treat your drain, toilets, or garbage disposal as a trashcan. The number one thing many people believe is that the drain can dispose of smaller unwanted items. The pipes throughout your home are very small and can’t handle too much debris. This goes for septic tanks as well.
Pipe & Drain Cleaning & Clearing in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas
Plumbers often get called out for simple clogs that can be avoided or even truly handled by the homeowner. There are, of course, many times when a professional plumber is needed. When you do find yourself in need of a plumber, Orsack Plumbing Company can help; call us for all of your plumbing needs.
