Most homeowners don’t give their drains the attention they need to smell and perform at their best, which can seriously backfire on them the longer drains go unattended. Besides scheduling regular Fresno drain cleaning, there are additional steps that can be taken between cleanings to cut down on common plumbing problems such as clogs and backups.
Pour Hot Water Down Your Drains
At least once a week, it’s a good idea to pour boiling hot water down your drains to scour them clear of buildup that can lead to clogs and draining problems. You can also pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for a half hour before rinsing your pipes out with boiling hot water. If your pipes are made of PVC, hot water can damage them, so follow the hot water up with cold water from the faucet to keep the hot water from melting your pipes.
Watch What You Pour Down the Drain
Always think twice before pouring anything down the drain. Hot grease or oil, food particles and some clog-clearing products should not go down your drain. Grease and oil harden when they cool, which can lead to clogs, food particles can back up pipes over time and clog-clearing products might prove corrosive to your pipes when they continue to dissolve whatever they’re in contact with (mainly, your pipes) after taking care of your clog.
Have Your Sewer Lines Inspected for Roots
If you have trees or shrubs with thick roots on your property, those roots can work their way into your plumbing system and cause issues. Even if your plumbing system seems to be working properly, it’s still a good idea to have a professional plumbing company come out and inspect your pipes just to make sure there isn’t a minor problem with the roots and your pipes that need to be taken care of ASAP.
Use Drain Screens
Put drain screens over all your home’s drains to keep hair, bits of leftover food and other particulates out of your drains. While you certainly won’t like the way the buildup looks, you have to remember that it’s easier to take the screen and dump it into the trash rather than allow it (and more) to build up inside your pipes where it’s not so easy to take care of.
Know When You Might Need New Sewer Lines
Like anything else in your home, your sewer lines won’t last forever. You can most certainly use the above tips to get as much use out of your pipes and lines as possible, but you will eventually have to get new sewer lines. You will likely groan at the cost of new sewer lines, but you’ll groan just as much when problems from worn out sewer lines start piling up the longer they’re left unreplaced. Do yourself a favor and do what you need to do to replace your aging sewer lines and restore your peace of mind.
Make an effort to keep your plumbing, drains and pipes in excellent condition. Work with experts to get as many years as you can out of your plumbing system and to keep your pipes as clear as can be.
