Preventing Sewage Clogs And Drain Cleaning Tips
You depend on your sewage system and drains to work at all times, so it's a good idea to prevent clogs and learn how drain cleaning can help. An easy way to prevent plumbing clogs from happening is to ensure nothing gets put down the drain that doesn't belong. Don't put fats, oil, grease, coffee grains, or trash in the sewage system.
Sometimes it's too late, and you need to go ahead and call a plumber. If you just moved in or recently bought the home and noticed a problem already existed, getting professional drain cleaning will help to prevent future clogs and sewage backups. Here are a few tips that can help you avoid major issues.
Bath And Shower Drains
Shower and bathtub drains can get clogged with hair and soap. Unclogging the pipe can be achieved with a plunger or plumber's snake. The clog can get worse over time if it's not dealt with as soon as possible. A drain guard that catches hair can help to prevent clogged shower drains.
Slow Draining Sink
The kitchen sink drain is often clogged with all sorts of stuff, such as coffee grounds, congealed fat, and other food scraps. In the bathroom, it's usually because of soap and hair.
The longer you wait to get the drain working, the worse it will become. Remember that repeated use of a chemical cleaner can lead to pipe damage.
Backed Up Sewer
Sewage system backups can be disturbing. If your toilets and drains aren't functioning and you notice an odor from the pipe and the clog is located in the sewer line on your property, then, unfortunately, the problem is likely your responsibility.
If it's not on your property, the water company may make the repairs. A plumber can make an inspection to determine where the blockage is and then tell you what kind of drain cleaning you need but try calling the water utility first.
Stopped Up Toilet
Few things are more aggravating than a clogged toilet bowl. They always seem to occur at the worst time. Toilets usually get clogs because of a combination of human waste and toilet paper. If plunging doesn't work, then a sewer snake can loosen the clog.
Tips To Prevent Major Plumbing Repairs
- Tree roots can break pipes and aging sewer lines that are prone to decay. Replace old pipes and keep trees from growing too close to the sewage lines.
- Let water drip from the faucets during freezing weather. The water flow, even a trickle, helps stop pipes from freezing.
- Keep a licensed plumber's phone number handy!
- Shut off the water main before you call a plumber for plumbing repairs.
- Plumbing issues will come, but there are many things you can do to keep your plumbing system in good shape. Pipes, faucets, and drains will all need to be maintained.
- To minimize the possibility of plumbing clogs, be careful of what you flush down your drains. Avoid flushing diapers, tissues, napkins, and grease.