At-Home Drain Care and Maintenance
In the Kitchen
Get a Drain Strainer for Your Sink
Use a drain strainer to prevent small food bits from making their way down the drain. Simply empty the strainer out in the compost and give it a rinse after you wash your dishes.
Don’t Put Oils or Fats Down the Drain
After you cook, it is super easy to just pour your cooking oil or fat down the drain, but just don’t. It will solidify in your pipes and cause a nasty blockage. Instead, pour excess fats and oils into an empty can or jar, wait for it to cool, and then dispose of the whole container in the garbage.
Skip the Drain Cleaner
We know, we know, you thought that you were helping your out with that store-bought drain cleaning liquid, right? Unfortunately, though, it actually hurts more than it helps. Commercial drain cleaners contain corrosive chemicals that eat away at pipes. Instead of reaching for the store-bought cleaner, try using a plunger, pouring boiling water down the drain, and if a clog is really persistent, call in a plumber to get rid of it without damaging your pipes.
In the Bathroom
Put a Strainer Over the Shower Drain
A drain strainer is a good idea in the shower as well as the kitchen sink. It will minimize the amount of hair and soap bits that end up going down the drain and gunking up the pipes.
Brush Your Hair Before You Shower
It is a good idea to get into the habit of brushing your hair before you get into the shower–especially if you have long or particularly thick hair. This prevents too much hair from washing down the drain.
Only Flush Toilet Paper
Don’t ever flush anything down the toilet other than toilet paper and the obvious. Seriously, we mean it! This means no kitty litter, no menstrual products, and no so-called “flushable” wipes. All of these items will wreak havoc on your plumbing system and cause issues you could easily avoid.
If you find yourself with a clogged drain that you just can’t seem to unblock, it’s time to call in the pros. The experienced technicians at John Sadler will clean your drains thoroughly with chemical-free techniques such as snaking and hydro-jetting, which will not cause any damage to your pipes.
