A problem that often needs to be taken care of immediately so as to avoid flooding or further damage/backup, is a clogged drain, no matter if it’s your sink, toilet, or shower. Many people feel the need to take matters into their own hands because of the sense of urgency in this particular situation. You need to be very careful before taking any steps in regard to your drains as to not cause further damage. When it comes to not only unclogging your drains but also preventing clogs and damage in the first place, there are some definite dos and don’ts that we at The Original $49.95 Plumber would like to share.
How Do You Take Care of a Drain?
1) Drain Filter Installation. An easy way to keep drains clog-free is installing a drain filter or drain trap. By trapping these items before they go further down your drain, this device will catch any large items, such as food or hair, and will make cleaning easy.
2) Run Hot Water Down the Drain. Try running a little bit of hot water down your drain if you see a clog starting to take place. It may dislodge any small items that are stuck, though this likely won’t help solve the problem permanently.
3) While Disposal is Running, Only Use Cold Water. To help prevent clogs and help your food get flushed down the drain more easily, this a good step to take every time you turn your garbage disposal on. You can get rid of any particles that may have been left behind by keeping the water running for a minute or so after you are finished to help.
What You Should Never Do to a Drain
The steps you take before the clog are just as important as what you do after a clog has already started when it comes to the don’ts of drain clogs.
1) Never Flush Oily, Greasy foods Down the Drain. Because they are initially liquids, it seems like it should be ok to put oils or grease down the drain, however, they will eventually harden and congeal, causing clogs in your drain.
2) The Drain Should Not be Used for Non-Food Items or Food Waste. Drains and garbage disposals are delicate systems and appliances. If you’re questioning whether it will be ok or not, it’s always safer to err on the side of caution though some things may seem ok to put in your garbage disposal and flush down the toilet. All big no-nos include cotton balls, cigarette butts, Band-Aids, paper towels, animal bones or skin, eggshells, hair, and so forth.
What Not to Do if Drain is Completely Clogged?
3) Flushing the Drain with Boiling Water or Vinegar. Some hot water down your drain is alright, however, you should avoid pouring boiling water or vinegar down your drain to clear or prevent clogs. Doing so can trigger more damage by causing your drains to rust and/ or break though it may seem to help a little.
4) Acidic or Chemical Drain Cleaner Usage. As soon as they notice a clog, the first solution people think of is using the chemical drain cleaners. They will end up causing more harm than good in the long run though these may provide a short-term solution. The corrosive nature of drain cleaners will begin to eat away at the clog, but likely also your pipes. They won’t even work in many cases. When your drain is slow, liquid drain cleaners may get the job done but not it’s completely stopped up.
Drain Pipe Cleaning, Unclogging & More in Staten Island, Maspeth, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Yonkers, Queens, NYC Boroughs, New York City NY
When you need help cleaning out the clogs in New York, call The Original $49.95 Plumber and let us assist you!
