How to Avoid Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are something that affects most homes at one time or another. As this is a fact of life for most Kingwood homeowners, learning how to avoid clogged drains can save time, money and frustration. While it may take a little time and effort to incorporate steps that should limit the clogging of drains, it has the potential to save you the sometimes hundreds of dollars it can cost to fix a small problem that went unchecked and has now turned into a more serious and complex issue.

How to Avoid Clogged Drains

While homes have drains in the kitchen and bathrooms, different techniques are needed for each when it comes to how to avoid clogged drains.

In the kitchen, to protect the drain from becoming clogged, here is a helpful hint:

• Be aware what you put down the sink. Just because you have a garbage disposal in the kitchen is not a license to put any and all types of food down it. For example, things such as eggshells, potato peels, coffee grounds, and grease are not recommended to be put in the kitchen disposal. Consider putting leftover food in the compost heap or the trash instead and drain grease into a safe jar that can later be thrown away.

When it comes to keeping bathroom drains from getting clogged, some suggestions include:

• Limit soap scum and hair accumulation. Hair is one of the most common reasons for a clogged bathroom drain, with soap scum running a close second. While people cannot control their hair loss, they can use a special drain protector designed to collect hair so it does not actually go down the drain.
• Brush hair before baths and showers. Taking a few minutes to quickly brush hair before taking a bath or shower helps remove loose strands before you get in the water, which can reduce the chances of the drain becoming clogged by hair.
• Be careful what you flush. Toilets are designed to get rid of human waste—and nothing more. To keep toilet drains working properly, it is important not to flush foreign materials down them. This can include feminine hygiene products as well as other things that might accidentally find their way to the toilet thanks to adventuresome young children and pets. It is also a good idea to not use copious amounts of toilet paper with each flush.

No matter what room of the home you are in, be proactive in regularly cleaning out accumulation in the drains. Here are some tips to consider:

• Use a tool to help clean out some of the hair accumulation from bathroom drains
• Clean the stopper in bathroom sinks
• Collecting any debris from sinks, showers, and tubs and dispose of it

Performing these acts on a weekly basis can be excellent ways to keep drains from clogging so quickly.

How to Know If You Have a Clogged Drain

As with most things that come with living in a home, there will probably be a time or two when a clogged drain occurs, even with proactive measures in place. It happens.

However, the presentation of a clogged drain can look differently depending on where it is located and the problem that is causing the clog. The three primary signs of a clogged drain include:

1. Slow drain. A clogged or soon to be clogged drain will only slowly drain water. This typically means that the buildup of some material in the pipe has become so great that water is no longer able to flow quickly and freely through it, which causes back up water in the drain. If you are noticing the sink, shower, tub, or toilet taking longer than normal to drain, it may be time to call a Kingwood plumber.
2. Unusual odor. While the kitchen and bathroom are rooms of the home that are no stranger to odors, a drain that is becoming clogged will often emit an unusual odor that is distinctly different from other smells. If you smell something foul and the smell gets stronger the closer you get to the drain, it is likely clogged.
3. Noise. Most drains are designed to let water flow through them quietly. Clogged drains have less room for the water to flow freely which can often result in gurgling or bubbling sounds. This usually happens at the site of the drain itself or even as it flows down the pipe and hits an air pocket. If you hear something out of the ordinary from your drain, it may be time to call a Kingwood plumber.

Why Using a Professional Plumber Is the Smart Choice for Clogged Drains

Some people with clogged drains may choose to take care of the problem themselves by buying over the counter products designed to help clear clogs. While some of these products may help, they also have the capacity to be a hindrance in the long run.

Many mainstream products for unclogging drains are filled with damaging chemicals which over time may destroy and damage not only pipes, but also septic systems. The issue with this is that in some cases the damage may become so much that it requires replacement of the pipes. This can be quite expensive.

The wisest option for homeowners dealing with any plumbing issues is to call a professional Kingwood plumber. These knowledgeable professionals deal with clogged drains on a daily basis. Not only do they have the right tools to fix the problem, but they have the proper training and knowledge base to do it well.

Some clogged drains may be quick fixes that will have your home up and running again in no time. But in the event that a suspected clogged drain turns out to be a much bigger issue, the professionals are already there and on the job so they can advise as to what the next steps should be.

By taking better care of your drains and what you put in them, it can go a long way toward preventing clogs, but inevitably it will still happen a time or two. When it comes to knowing how to avoid clogged drains, perhaps the best advice is having a professional Kingwood plumber you can trust.