Clogged or backed-up drains are some of the most frequent emergency plumbing issues in Oroville homes. Water might back up and overflow due to poor or nonexistent drainage, resulting in a tremendous mess.
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Here are some techniques for maintaining easy and smooth water flow and avoiding having to call an emergency plumber to fix your clogged drains.
- Take caution with what you flush down your drains. Coffee grounds, cooking grease, soap scum, and popcorn kernels are just a few examples of things that can cause clogs in kitchen drains. Cooking grease should never be poured down the drain; instead, put it in an old coffee can or a disposable container and throw it in the garbage.Additionally, coffee grinds are to be disposed of in the garbage rather than sent down the drain to the sewer. Be careful to not send any large food items down the garbage disposal, any hard particles that will not break down, or anything that is thick and sticky. If you are debating about whether or not to pour something down the drain, it is better to be safe than sorry and just throw it in the garbage instead.
- If you do not have a garbage disposal, you need to be diligent about keeping food scraps from going down the drain. You can install a drain strainer to help prevent food and other particles from going down the kitchen sink.
- Bathroom drains, especially in tubs and showers, are susceptible to clogs from excess soap scum, grime, and hair. To reduce the amount of hair and soap scum that goes down the drain, use a drain screen or drain gate. You can buy filters and screens at most local hardware stores that are typically simple to use and just need to be set in place. Take the time to clean the drains and remove hair buildup regularly to prevent clogs from occurring.
- Make cleaning your drains a regular task. To keep things flowing and avoid accumulation along the interior surfaces of pipes, start the habit of running hot water through the drain after pouring anything down them. Running hot water through the drain after each use will help wash things down and prevent them from sticking to the sides of the plumbing where they can then begin to build up and form clogs.You can also use baking soda to help clean out drains, as it is not only an excellent cleaning agent but also helps eliminate unpleasant odors from drain pipes. Simply pour some baking soda down the drain and then flush it out with hot water at least once a week and more frequently when you notice slow drainage for backup. If you really want to amplify the cleaning power or baking soda, you can use vinegar along with it. When the two react to each other, they begin foaming and bubbling which will help to lift away build-up and break through clogs.
Following these precautions can greatly reduce the risk of clogged drains hindering water flow through your plumbing system. However, if you do notice a drain is clogged or if you have water backing up in sinks, tubs, showers, or anywhere else in your home, be sure to call our emergency plumbers. Watkins Plumbing offers emergency plumbing services in Oroville and surrounding areas and can help resolve clogged drains or any other plumbing issues in your home.
