New Year’s resolutions may look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be as impactful or useful as ever. In fact, it might be the perfect time to contact Joe Cool for local plumbing services in Pinellas County, FL, and learn more about caring for your home’s plumbing in 2021.
Many homeowners experience plumbing issues, even something as simple and common as a clogged drain. However, few people know how to best clean their drains, leading to severe problems down the line. Here are some drain-cleaning tips to help you through the new year.
Avoid Putting Grease and Other Food Down Your Drain
Some people believe that their plumbing can handle all kinds of food matter, and it’s not uncommon to see cooking grease poured down the drain while running hot water. If you want to keep your drains clean, you should avoid using your sink to dispose of grease and inappropriate food waste.
Whether or not you have a garbage disposal, putting fibrous food like string beans down the drain will increase the chances of blockage. Similarly, allowing pasta, rice, or grease to enter the drain will almost always lead to a clogged drain sooner or later. This is because the mass solidifies in the narrow parts of your pipes and stays there causing a restriction.
Don’t Rely on Chemical Drain Cleaners too Often
Using a store-bought chemical drain cleaner to remove a pipe blockage can be helpful in a pinch once in a while, but it shouldn’t be your go-to solution for clogged drains. The reason you should avoid using chemical drain cleaners too often is that the same solvent that dissolves the clog will often eat away at the inside of your pipes, increasing the risk of your pipes getting damaged or bursting down the line. If your home has plastic pipes, the cleaners won’t necessarily damage the pipe, but they do not entirely dissolve the clog, they just dislodge it and then it resettles further down the line.
Seek Professional Help When Cleaning a Clog
Clogged drains are a common experience among many homeowners, but that doesn’t mean they are impossible to manage, without a little help.
It’s tempting to avoid calling a trained plumber to snake your drain or clean the pipes. However, making a habit of handling drain issues by yourself or ignoring them altogether can lead to damaged pipes and even personal injury. Plus, a trained expert will help you prevent the issue from recurring by eliminating the main causes of the clog and providing advice on how to avoid it in the future.
To find out more about managing clogged drains in the new year, or to get a quote for local Plumbing repair services in Pinellas, FL, call the Joe Cool team today!
