Avoid Messy and Destructive Clogs
Avoid Messy and Destructive Clogs
Clogged pipes can lead to flooded bathrooms, stagnant dishwater, and showers that won’t fully drain until hours after the last use. All these complications aren’t just messy and, many times, smelly, but can lead to further damage and expensive repairs. To avoid these stressful situations, take a look at these helpful tips to keep your plumbing system clean and clear and damage to your plumbing fixture to a minimum.
How to Avoid Clogs in Your Plumbing Fixtures
The best way to keep your plumbing from clogging up, leading to further damage and expensive repairs, is by maintaining your plumbing system. This can be done in several ways and will make a huge difference in how your plumbing fixtures function.
Protect Your Drains
Be mindful of the things that enter your drains. Make sure there is a screen covering the opening in your sinks and tubs to prevent items from entering your pipes that won’t dissolve and could potentially build up. Hair is one of the most common causes of drain clogs and can easily be avoided with the right protection.
You can purchase drain mesh, plugs, and other forms of protection for your fixture drains at any local hardware store for just a couple of bucks.
Watch What You Flush
Some toilet clogs come from unexpected flush “mishaps,” like a toy car dropped into the commode by an unknowing and curious toddler. However, many clogs actually happen when people flush items they deem safe, such as baby wipes, cotton balls, and dental floss.
Although flushing these small products might seem insignificant, it can actually lead to building up debris inside your plumbing system, creating a huge and otherwise avoidable problem.
Be Cautious When Cooking
Grease is your drain’s worst enemy. It might seem simple enough to quickly dump the liquid form in the kitchen sink while cooking, but as it travels through the pipes, it cools and congeals. Once the grease thickens, it sticks to your pipes and can create clogs nearly impossible to fix without professional help.
It is also important to note that keeping your kitchen sink free from food scraps can help clear up your drain. Remind the kids to empty their dishes into the waste bin before tossing them in the sink and try not to prepare meals over the basin.
Run The Hot Water Frequently
Hot water is a great way to keep your pipe clean and clear. Running water through your plumbing system on a regular basis can help flush debris, break up oil residue, and dissolve food waste.
If you have a fixture that doesn’t get used often, pour a large bucket of hot water down the drain occasionally to give it a good flush.
Limit the Use of Your Garbage Disposal
The overuse of your garbage disposal can lead to plumbing issues. Limit the number of times you use your garbage disposal on a daily basis; only add smaller items that dissolve or flush easily and compost the rest.
Adding to this tip, you also want to stay cautious with the items you place into your garbage disposal. Always avoid grease and greasy foods or items that are sticky and thick.
Get an Inspection If Clogs Become a Reoccurring Issue
If you notice that you are struggling with clogged pipes on a regular basis, even when you are doing everything right, it is probably time to call in the professionals.
Sometimes clogs can happen due to circumstances outside of your control. We often see homeowners struggle with pipe issues that steam from tree roots infiltrating the system or structural issues with the pipes themselves.
A reputable plumber can come out and inspect the pipeline to determine where your problem lies and can assist you with a solution that will prevent consistent clogging in the future.
What to Do in an Emergency
Many times, a clogged drain can lead to an emergency situation like backed-up pipes that dumps tons of water and hazardous waste into your home, put your plumbing fixtures out of commission altogether, or floods your entire basement.
In these types of situations, it is critical to get help as soon as possible to prevent further damage that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs.
The best way to seek help quickly is by contacting a plumbing company that offers 24/7 emergency services.
At Ocean Air Plumbing, we offer customers emergency service 24/7 for all types of plumbing emergencies, from overflowing toilets to burst pipes flooding your home. Never let a clogged or backed-up drain ruin your day; call our professional team at 631-821-4003 for fast and convenient service you can count on.
When To Call a Plumber
If you find yourself dealing with a clog of any kind, it is best to contact a plumber right away. Even though you can treat the problem yourself with over-the-counter products. You risk further damage from harsh chemicals, and you might only be treating part of the issue, missing the root of the problem altogether.
Reputable and experienced plumbers, like our team at Ocean Air Plumbing, are familiar with all types of reasons for clogs and backups, giving them a good idea of where to start when fixing the problem.
Ocean Air Plumbing – Providing Residential Plumbing Services to:
- Quogue
- East Quogue
- Southampton
- Westhampton
- Westhampton Beach
- Hampton Bays
- Watermill
- Sag Harbor
- Bridgehampton
- East Hampton
- Speonk
- Remsenburg
