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A clogged drain is a common problem in many households that no one wants to deal with, especially when it’s summer. Isn’t it better to prevent it from happening instead of suffering later?
Who doesn’t love to enjoy their summer? Imagine: warm, sunny days with clouds latched to the unending clear sky. The hum of bees and the chorus of birds filling the air. A cocktail-blue afternoon sky that turns to a heather-purple night sky glittering with stars. People love spending time with their friends and families in such an ambiance. Amidst these delightful moments, imagine your wife shouting to you because you have a clogged drain. Who wouldn’t lose their mind if this happens to them? Besides, a clogged drain is a serious problem, and you will need to repair it immediately before it gets to the point of overflowing. And thus, a perfect summer day can easily get ruined in the blink of an eye.
Problems like these can arise without notice, particularly during the summer. Moreover, due to extra guests and all the delicious summer food on the table, the plumbing system at our homes may endure some strain. But don’t let these plumbing issues give you a case of the summertime blues. By taking some simple measures beforehand, you can save yourself a lot of hard work and money. So, keep scrolling to get rid of plumbing misery once and for all this summer.
Preventing a clogged garbage disposal
Summer provides us some great food and snacks like watermelon and corn on the cob, as well as BBQ and other grilled food. On the contrary, our garbage disposal doesn’t love these foods as much as we do. So, avoid putting the fibrous parts of these summer fruits and vegetables, such as melon rinds and corn husks, down the drain. Also, don’t throw in chicken or beef bones. Ultimately, understanding what to avoid will eventually help you to prevent your drain from getting clogged.
Check the garbage disposal more often. To do so, turn on the garbage disposal with the water running, and listen for a healthy motor. If you hear a low hum from the motors, then you need to check the disposal. If the garbage disposal is clogged, then clear your blocked drain by following these steps.
Use a plunger to remove the debris. Do not plunge immediately after using a commercial drain cleaner because these chemicals should not come into contact with your skin. And we don’t recommend using chemicals in the first place because it will cause more harm than good. To use the plunger effectively, first partially fill the sink. Work the plunger to break the clog and then remove any waste residues that come into the sink. You can even use some baking soda and vinegar to ensure that your drain is fully cleared.
While it’s very convenient to put anything and everything in the garbage disposal hoping that the disposal will chop it up, avoid doing so in the first place. Clear off most of your plate after every meal by dumping the leftovers and bones into a trash can instead of the disposal. This will help you to prevent clogs and damage to your disposal drain. Also, make sure you run cold water instead of warm water while operating it. This is important because the cold water will keep the oil and grease from your food intact, stopping it from sticking to your drain pipes. Once you are done with the cleaning, only then use warm water to clean off any residues from the drain. Always keep a licensed plumber’s phone number handy if the situation gets out of your hand.
How to avoid having a clogged laundry sink
We all love to spend time outside in the summer months since we remain cooped up all winter. However, all these sweaty summer activities lead to more dirty clothes. Summertime cookouts, picnics, swimming, and running around from one place to another generates more loads of laundry. As a result, washing machine issues occur as the increased usage takes a toll.
By keeping an eye on when you do your laundry, we can prevent having a clogged laundry sink. Water from the washing machine usually contains lint which goes right down the drain. Install a lint screen on the end of the drain hose to prevent lint from clogging your sink. Make sure you stay in the house whenever you are doing laundry, so you can catch any issue immediately and turn off the machine before it gets worse. Don’t place your washing machine too close to the wall because it may kink the water hose and create a blockage.
Toilets are not your trash can
Do not treat your toilets as trash cans. This is particularly important because when you flush items down the toilet, they are more likely to cause clogs. Your children are probably the biggest culprits of flushing items that shouldn’t be flushed. From poor exam papers to chocolate wrappers, your toilets get a taste of trash from time to time. So, keep an eye on them and educate them about the consequences of their irresponsibility. Note that you should avoid flushing paper towels, baby wipes, tampons, sponges, pads, or any other such items down your toilet.
Use hot water, detergent, and baking soda
Hot water makes a great tool in preventing a clogged drain, along with just washing your hands and the dishes. Remember, once you wash your dishes with cold water, always run some hot water afterward. This will prevent any residual oil buildup.
Baking soda also comes in handy when it comes to cleaning different things around the house. It works at its full potential when paired with detergent. These two powders combined can do wonders for cleaning out the drain in your kitchen sink. They don’t only help to remove grease and oil; they also help to get rid of any odors left behind by the food. Therefore, make a routine of using these two powders from time to time around your house to prevent your sinks from clogging without any hassle.
No more clogged sewer
Summer storms are very common, and a particularly large one can cause water to overflow or cause major blockages. A clogged sewer is a severe plumbing mishap one has to deal with and is also an expensive repair. So, it is better to prevent it with a few measures and save yourself a fortune. Consider a routine service to check your sewer line; remember that a service charge is a lot cheaper than a full repair. So, service your sewers before every summer and avoid the worst of the problems. Install drain plugs in each drain. This is not only simple to install, but it is a very cheap option as well.
Install mesh screens
Make sure you have a mesh screen installed in every shower in your home. This is important because the hair will accumulate over time, especially in the sink and tub. Blockages caused by shed hairs over time are very common and difficult to dislodge.
Therefore, avoid putting hair in the sink or flushing it down the toilet. Hence, it is wise to just spend a few dollars to ensure your hair isn’t going where it shouldn’t. A mesh screen will catch hair before it enters the drain pipes. Install pop-up stoppers in all the sinks around your house. These stoppers will catch your hair, dental floss, and any other small items that may clog your pipes. Also, clean these stoppers often, or else the sink will start to drain slowly. Collecting hair in a tub or shower is never a fun thing to do, especially with all the terrible odors that need to be faced.
Flush your drains routinely
Flushing the drains in your home regularly can save you from a lot of trouble. You can flush the sinks by using a large amount of water and pouring it all at once. Fill a bucket and pour it into the toilets and the sinks. As you pour, the water pressure washes away any debris that might clog your drain.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing issues are one of the most hated problems in every house, but we can prevent it by becoming a little more cautious. Take these simple measures this summer, and enjoy the precious moments with your friends and families instead of plumbing. Don’t hesitate to call for professional help when the situation seems to get out of hand.