Clogs can be messy and can cause damage to floors, your plumbing system, and sometimes the ceiling if on the 2nd story.
Maintaining a clog-free drain and toilet is not always easy, but here are some ways to help you keep your plumbing clog-free.
Drains
If water goes to it, it should go down it. That’s the job of a drain.
Drains are found throughout your home, but the most used ones are in the bathroom and kitchen.
Do’s
Use a screen or drain gate to cover the drain when washing dishes or rinsing off dishes, this will help catch items that should not go down the drain.
After completing the wash or rinse, simply take any debris and throw it in the trash.
Instead of simply throwing grease or coffee grounds down the drain, pour them in a can or container and dispose of them in the garbage.
Don’ts
Whether it be the sink drain or shower drain, avoid putting items other than water and soap down the drain.
This includes avoiding throwing these down the drain :
Grease or oils
Coffee Grounds
Hair
Cigarette buds or ashes
Eggshells
Household liquids
Medications
Paint
Maintenance and Cleaning
After using the drain, run hot water for a few seconds, this will keep any unwanted substances flowing down the drain instead of building up and leading to nasty clogs.
Consider cleaning your drain frequently after use.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners as they can not only eat away at your pipes but be dangerous to you and your family’s health.
Instead, try implementing DIY cleaners that can be made from ingredients you may already have.
Some plumbing clogs may be too tough or caused by a blockage that cannot be broken down with cleaner.
In these instances, call a plumber for a professional drain cleaning or a camera inspection to find the culprit of the clog.
Toilets
Clogged toilets are mainly caused by improper use. Sometimes your kids may flush their toys or other family members may try to flush non-flushable items like wipes.
Do’s
Discuss with your children what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet.
Also, avoid putting too much toilet paper in the toilet. This can often be solved by flushing more than once.
When in doubt, call a plumber if you notice you are having consistent clogs.
Don’ts
Avoid flushing those non-flushable items down the toilet, and watch for objects that may fall in from cluttered countertops.
Some items to avoid flushing include:
Wipes of any kind
Paper towels
Cotton Balls or Q-tips
Feminine products
Floss
Hair
Grease
Bandages
Cigarette butts
Medications
Kitty Litter
Or even too much toilet paper
Even when an item says “flushable” it does not mean it will agree with your system. It may still cause a clog.
UnClogging
Leaving a toilet clogged can just cause more problems and a major headache. There are ways you can attempt to unclog the toilet yourself before calling a plumber.
When the toilet is obviously clogged, or even draining extremely slow, you know there is an issue, so grab your plunger to try and clear the blockage.
Here is how to effectively plunge.
First, put the plunger in the toilet bowl and place it over the drainage hole so no air is able to escape.
Next, plunge the toilet to help loosen the blockage and free the clog.
This process may need to be repeated a few times, but if you flush after you have plunged and the water goes down the drain, you have done your job.
Call A Plumber
If plunging the toilet or cleaning the drain doesn’t work, call a professional plumber as soon as possible.
Services such as professional drain cleaning, hydro-jetting, clog removal, and more are available to help clear the nasty clogs in all your drains.
American Rooter Plumbing, are experts within the Omaha and surrounding areas and can provide top-notch service. Don’t take the risk, call us at (402) 298-5414 for all your plumbing needs!