Do you want to make sure that your home never has a blockage? A lot of homeowners take their drainage system for granted and when they have a problem, they suddenly notice how much they depend on it. In particular, having a blocked drain can be a nightmare and disrupt your daily routine. Here are some tips from drainage experts on how you can prevent blockages from happening.
Deal With Issues Straight Away
Sometimes, blockages can build up over time. Homeowners put off dealing with issues because they are still getting use of their shower, toilet or sinks. While the water might be draining away slowly or there could be a gurgling sound, this is often ignored until there is a complete blockage. But, drainage experts say it is a bad thing to leave clogs for any length of time. It is best to get help with a blockage straight away.
This is going to make sure that the pipes do not get worse and you do not create unnecessary damage. Dealing with the issue immediately when you notice something is wrong can mean that you do not have to stop using these areas of your home due to a complete blockage.
Use a Sink Strainer
One of the main reasons why blockages occur in homes is because food and other debris end up down the kitchen sink. A lot of homeowners are guilty of washing the dishes and allowing leftover food to go down the drain. While this might not seem like a big deal, this debris can build up and cause a blockage in the pipes. In particular, some foods are bigger culprits at causing problems than others. For example, rice and pasta are bad since they hold water and expand, while even coffee grounds can be dangerous since it congeals and becomes sticky.
So, what can you do to make sure that food does not go down the drain? Of course, to prevent blockages you can be more careful and scrap leftover food into the rubbish bin. If you are washing the dishes, it is best to use a sink strainer. This is going to be a mesh cover that you put over the drain and it will catch any food. All you have to do is empty it into the bin when you are finished washing the dishes. It can help to prevent a drain blockage in the future.
Avoid Drain Unblocking Products
If you notice that the water is starting to drain away slowly or there is a bad odour from the sink, you might think that you can solve the problem by yourself. After all, if there is not a complete blockage, it is not a big problem yet, right? This is not necessarily true. While you might still be able to use your sink, shower or toilet, this does not mean that you are going to be able to solve the issue by yourself. You cannot see what is happening in the pipes nor what the best solution is going to be.
In particular, something that you do not want to do is use drain unblocking products that you can buy cheaply in supermarkets and local stores. These can be very damaging for your pipes, with chemicals that can burn and cause problems to your system. In addition, they often do not help to unclog the drain anyway. Always call up the professionals for help and this is going to save you a lot of time, effort and money.
Collect Grease and Fats
One of the most common reasons why kitchen drains get blocked it because homeowners pour down hot grease and fats. While this might seem like any other liquid, it can be the worst thing for your drainage system. In particular, when the grease is warm, it will flow down the drain. But, as it cools down, it is going to become solid and this is when the problems begin. It can stick to the inside of the pipes and cause a blockage.
The best way to avoid this from happening is to collect grease and fats when you are cooking. Pour them into a jar or bowl until they are cool. Then, you can dump them into the rubbish bin. Whatever you do, do not put them down the drain.
Keep a Bin in the Bathroom
A lot of drainage experts report that they find all sorts in the drainage system of homes and businesses. This can include everything from dental floss and wipes to baby’s nappies and hygiene products. In particular, people do not realise that you cannot flush these items down the toilet and it can cause major blockages in the future.
To make sure that this does not happen, ensure that you educate everyone in your household. In addition, keep a bin in the bathroom so that any guests or customers are going to have a place for their trash. This way, it stays out of your drainage system.
