Clogged Drain? Drain Cleaning Dos And Don'ts
At some point or another, all homeowners will experience the headache of a clogged drain. Soap, hair, food, and other debris can gradually accumulate in your shower drain or sink until the flow of water is blocked. Luckily, there are some drain cleaning steps that you can take to slow down this process or repair a clog, but there are also some common pitfalls that you will want to avoid because they can damage your home's plumbing. When your home has a clogged drain, here are a few dos and don'ts to get things back under control in your household.
Do Utilize a Drain Guard
This is more of a preventative measure than a remedy for repair. Drain guards are made of plastic or metal that are placed over the drain to capture the majority of hair and larger debris that would otherwise go down the drain. By utilizing a drain guard and cleaning it out on a regular basis, you will significantly reduce the formation of clogs.
Don't Pour Chemicals Down the Drain
You have probably seen the commercials about chemical drain cleaners and how effective they are at unclogging your drains. However, the substances that are used to make these drain cleaners are very dangerous. Apart from possibly causing injuries to yourself, these drain cleaners can cause damage to your plumbing and aren't healthy for your septic system. In the end, these drain cleaning products do more harm than good.
Do Try Hot Water
In some cases, it is possible to melt the grease or scum in the pipes, ultimately dislodging it. Turn your faucet to its hottest setting and allow it to run for several minutes. Alternatively, you can warm water on your stove until it is steaming, but it is important that you don't let it boil.
Don't Use Boiling Water
Though hot water can be helpful at unclogging your drains, water that is excessively hot can actually cause damage to your plumbing system. Do not pour boiling water down the drain, particularly if you know that your plumbing contains any kind of rubber or plastic components.
Do Contact a Professional
Minor clogs can be dislodged on your own, as a general rule, but if the clog is being stubborn, you should contact a professional for extensive drain cleaning services. Because of the more thorough job that a professional will do at cleaning your drains, it will take longer for a subsequent clog to form.
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