Many homeowners can identify the signs of clogged drains — from percolating toilets to strange sounds and smells, clogged drains can make your home’s plumbing mildly irritating to downright unable to function.
But did you know that almost all clogged sewer lines and drains can be prevented? All it takes is making a few small changes to your everyday routine. Apart from tree roots, which are the most common cause of clogged sewer lines in older homes, you can prevent these blockages. And remember — it’s always easier to prevent a clogged drain than to have to fix one.
Here are the top three ways you can keep your home’s drains clog-free and your sewer lines healthy and functioning:
Preventing clogged drains in the kitchen
If you have a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen sink, it can be tempting to send all your food waste down the drain. However, putting oils, fats and animal bones down your sink is an easy way to build up debris in your drain. Even liquid oils will solidify in your drain, bonding to other debris to create a nasty clog. Just throw these things in the trash! Additionally, you should compost coffee grounds and tea leaves instead of washing them down your drain.
Preventing clogged drains in the bathroom
All that hair you see collecting on top of your shower drain doesn’t just go down your drain with the rest of the water that flows through it. In fact, hair is one of the top causes of clogged shower drains — so be sure to a hair trap in your shower or bathtub. Also, never flush paper towels, wet wipes or feminine hygiene products — these are all notorious causes of clogged sewer lines.
Preventing clogged drains throughout the rest of the home
For other drains within your home, it’s a good idea to regularly use a bacterial or enzymatic drain cleaner regularly to keep drains free of debris and blockage. Additionally, be sure to replace old plumbing regularly, as old pipes are more prone to blockage.
Have any other tips for preventing clogged sewer lines and drains? Want to learn more about sewer line repair methods like trenchless plumbing repair? Ask us anything in the comments below.