A plumbing system is a part of your home, and without it, you can’t do anything. You can’t shower, wash your dishes, do the laundry, or even use the toilet.
The most important part of the plumbing system is the drainage system, which needs to be clear to function properly. If, by any chance, your drainage system is clogged up, it can lead to your home smelling terrible and creating problems that need to be repaired.
No one wants those problems to arise, so you must keep the drainage system clear and functioning properly. Below you can find some top tips for cleaning drainage systems in your home.
Ask For Help From a Professional
A drainage system can be rather complicated to maintain and keep clean. It is therefore important to get a professional drain cleaning team. You can get the team to come in from time to time to clear any materials you might have missed.
They can even share some useful tips with you to ensure the drains stay clean. Frequently clearing the drain system can prevent an unpleasant garbage smell from arising in your home. It can also assist with bettering the water flow through the system.
Sure, asking for assistance from a professional might leave you paying a small price. It will be worth it as you know that the system is clear. A clear plumbing system has no issues, and it will leave you not needing to clean the pipes for a while.
Use Preventative Measures
A drainage system is very sensitive and can get clogged up quickly, for example if you flush or throw hair, fat, food scraps, nail clippings, or any other item down the drain.
To prevent yourself from accidentally throwing any of these items down the drain, you can use a drain strainer. You can place the filter in the kitchen sink, for example, to catch any particles. The particles can then easily be thrown away in the garbage.
If you have a garbage disposal system in your kitchen, try to frequently run cold water while you use it. The cold water helps stop food scraps from causing any blockages by clearing them through the small diameter sink pipes into the large main pipes. It would be best to run the cold water for a minute after the disposer has been shut down to ensure all scraps go down properly.
The worst thing you can throw down your drain is oil or paint. These substances can stick along the walls of the pipes and prevent water from flowing through.
Every little preventative measure you put in place is a step closer to not having your drains clogged up. However, you will need to ensure the entire family follows these measures, not just you alone.
Use Natural Cleaning Products
When cleaning out the drains yourself, you should use natural products. The natural products won’t damage the pipes, and they won’t be toxic if you inhale or digest them by accident.
Some natural products you can use include baking soda and vinegar, natural enzymes, and baking soda with lemon juice. Baking soda and vinegar create oxygen and carbon monoxide, which helps to unclog the drain. Vinegar can also assist with removing foul odors left behind.
You can get a natural enzyme cleaner that leaves a strong citrus smell and has enough power to unclog anything quickly. The baking soda and lemon juice create a very acidic product leaving your drain clean.
If you clean your drainage system, remember to do so every week or month. Trying to keep it blockage free on a regular basis will save you money in the long run. The chemical cleaners don’t necessarily need to be expensive as you can easily use items that you have readily available in your home which will work just as well.
Use Hot Water
In addition to using natural products, you should also pour hot (not boiling) water down the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower drain, toilet, etc. The hot water assists with getting rid of fat, grease, and oils which is the number one enemy of a plumbing system.
The hot water removes the fat, grease, and oils that have built up in the pipes. You should try and pour hot water down the sinks at least once a week. By frequently pouring hot water down your pipes, you prevent a buildup of any unwanted particles.
Use a Drain Snake
A drain snake can unclog anything effectively. A snake is used to remove any blockage by sliding it into the pipes, rotating the handle, and extending the coil. Once the snake has reached the blockage, it will rotate and try to dislodge the particles blocking the pipes. Water will then be able to run through smoothly.
Disadvantages to a Clogged System
Below, you can find some disadvantages when not frequently cleaning your plumbing systems.
- Water can accumulate and eventually cause a flood in your home.
- A blocked drainage can weaken your home structure as the water is no longer flowing where it needs to flow.
- A sewage smell will start to appear around the home.
- The longer you leave it untreated, the more costly it will be to get sorted.
- The whole drainage system can collapse due to the pipes being old.
- Your drinking water can become contaminated.
- The bacterial growth in pipes can cause a health risk for you and your loved ones.
- The backflow of the water can attract pests.
- You won’t be able to flush your toilet as the pipes are obstructed, which leaves you with a filthy toilet.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t know exactly how the whole plumbing system works, you should always remember these mentioned tips. The tips will help ensure the whole plumbing system remains working and clean. All you should know is that it does not take a lot of effort from you to clean the plumbing system in your home.
