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3 Proven Methods For Stopping Clogged Drains Before They Start
This time of year is often an extra strain on the kitchen appliances with all the gathering and cooking. This is true not only of the oven but also of the sink and the kitchen plumbing. Having to pause food prep or a family gathering to unclog a drain is both embarrassing and frustrating, not to mention that it can lead to other problems, such as burning a meal if people are not prepared. It is best to avoid having to unclog the sink entirely. This article will discuss the best ways to ensure drains stay open and functioning well.
Step #1: Maintain Drains With Help From the Pros
The best first step in keeping drains from clogging is to have plumbing technicians perform regular maintenance on a home's drain lines. Drain cleaning through methods like hydro-jetting do not harm the pipes and clear away things that adhere to the interior of the pipes or have infiltrated through weak or cracked areas. This works much better than chemical means to unclog a sink because the corrosive chemicals can damage the pipes' interior and make them more likely to break. Some of the things that can be removed through professional drain cleaning include:
- Leaves
- Roots
- Food clogs
- Waste paper clogs
- Sticky waste
- Animal waste or damage
Step #2: Install A Drain Screen
The next way to help unclog a drain before it starts is to use a mesh drain screen. These are concave metal circles that fit into a kitchen sink drain. They are easy to obtain at a big box department store or a local hardware store. It works in the opposite fashion of panning for gold. The good stuff goes down the drain, and the trash stays on the screen.
Step #3: Dispose of Food Waste and Cooking Grease in the Trash, Not The Drain
While the drain screen will stop most food waste from going down the drain, some things should not be put in the drain. Some of the food waste that can cause drain problems include the following:
- Cooking Grease: Grease and fats are often used in cooking and baking as a binding agent. This means that it holds things together. Unfortunately, this is true whether it is in a mixing bowl or in a drain pipe. Grease will congeal and trap other things inside, creating a nasty stubborn clog.
- Starchy foods: Potato peelings, beans, rice, and pasta are all full of starch, a particularly sticky carbohydrate. This can coat the pipes and make a trap similar to the fats and grease mentioned above.
- Paper Products: It is sometimes easy to put disintegrating napkins or the like in the sink, but the pieces will act as a web to catch others and create a clog.
About BenjaminBL Plumbing
Veteran-owned BenjaminBL Plumbing services Austin, TX and the surrounding areas with flat-rate pricing and same day appointments. Call them today for BBB-accredited plumbing service from friendly professionals.
