A Quick Guide To Drain Maintenance For Homeowners

Like other parts of the plumbing system, a drainage system plays a crucial role in your home. It's made of several connected pipes designed to safely eliminate solid waste and wastewater and ensure the sewer gas doesn't seep through your living spaces. That said, your drainage system should be working correctly to guarantee the overall health of your plumbing system.   

However, there may be instances wherein you take it for granted, resulting in blockages and other related problems. It's where drain maintenance enters the picture. Maintaining your drainage system can prevent clogs and keep the drains functioning properly.   

Here's a quick guide on drain maintenance for homeowners to consider to keep drains clog-free.   

What Causes Drain Blockages? 

Generally, drain blockages can be one of the common plumbing issues experienced by many homeowners. As such, it's vital to implement drain maintenance to eliminate the clogs and keep your drainage system working seamlessly. However, you can only clear the blockages if you know what causes them in the first place.   

The following are some common reasons why drains do block and cause some plumbing issues: 

• Broken pipes; 

• External objects, such as soap, toys, and sanitary items; 

• Food wastes; 

• Grease and fat; 

• Hair; 

• Rain and storms; 

• Tree roots.  

You should be wary of these common causes of blocked drains. Hence, if you notice signs of blocked drains, it's best to check your drainage system to know where the problem is coming from. If you need help with the inspection, you can always call plumbing professionals to handle the job. They can check the interior and exterior of your home to determine what causes the blockages.     

Drain Maintenance Tips To Remember 

As a homeowner, performing regular drain maintenance is crucial in ensuring the overall functionality of your plumbing system. Below are some maintenance tips to keep in mind for your drainage system: 

1. Avoid Putting Items Down The Drain  

There are several causes of drain blockages. Hence, it's essential not to put any items down the drain to avoid clogs and other plumbing issues. For example, when you pour oil, grease, or fat into the drainage, they solidify and get stuck inside the pipes, resulting in blockages.   

Because of this, you should be careful with the items you're putting down the drain. If possible, install drain traps below the sink opening to prevent oil and external objects like food waste, toiletries, and other toxic chemicals from going down the drain.   

2. Get Ready With Your Removal Tools  

Ensure you have the tools to clean, remove, and maintain your drainage system. These include an auger, a cup hanger, and a snake. However, it's essential to know that not all tools work to eliminate blockages and other plumbing disasters more effectively. For example, a snake can be an excellent removal tool if you deal with stubborn clogs. If you have minor blockages, you can utilize a plunger.   

So, to get the most out of drain maintenance, know which tools you should have on hand to ensure more favorable outcomes.   

3. Clean The Drains Properly  

When it comes to drain maintenance, following the best cleaning practices can be crucial to keep your drainage system working smoothly. These include:  

• Flush the drains with hot water each week, especially in the kitchen, to loosen and clean the trapped debris.  

• Open the taps and run the cold water to flush out the debris.   

• Pour baking soda and vinegar into the drains to clean them. Leave the substances down the drainage system overnight before you flush them out again with hot water.   

Aside from baking soda and vinegar, there are also other drain cleaners you may want to use. However, you should be careful in using drain cleaners as they contain harmful chemicals that can cause more blockages and damage the pipes.

4. Contact A Plumbing Professional  

Proper drain maintenance doesn't always have to be a DIY approach. It's especially true if you're unfamiliar with the cleaning procedure for your drainage system. In that case, it's best to call a plumbing professional in your area. They can inspect the plumbing system and clean it, and remove all debris and particles that clog the drains.   

Also, it's essential to seek professional assistance when the blockages adversely impact the drainage and overall plumbing system. That way, you can ensure proper drain maintenance to keep the drains working like new ones.  

Final Thoughts  

Homeowners understand the hassle, mess, and stress caused by clogged drains at home. When they're left unaddressed, they can result in more severe and costly plumbing problems. Because of this, proper drain maintenance is necessary to get rid of the clogs and preserve the good working condition of your drains.  

However, if you're new to this procedure, keep this guide in mind so you'll know how to maintain the integrity of your home's drainage system.