When practiced routinely, good drain maintenance can help save you money and aggravation. Here are a few tips that should help prevent a clogged drain in your home:
- Clear all dishes of leftover food in the trash before you wash them. This helps prevent food remnants from going down the drain. When washing your dishes, using a small sieve that fits your drain opening is also a good idea as it traps any food residue.
- Avoid pouring oily liquids into the drain and strain off liquids that contain solid materials. Throw the solid materials in the garbage.
- It’s a good idea to use hot water to flush all your drains once a week to rinse away dirt, scum or food residue that may be building up in your drains. Boil a large pot of hot water and slowly pour it down your various household drains. Repeat and then run cold water through the drains for a minute. This hot water flush helps remove grease and improve the smell of your drains.
- Pouring half of cup of baking soda and half of cup of vinegar into your drain once a month will help clear your drains and will also leave your drains smelling fresh. It is best to do this overnight when drain usage is over. The next morning, boil plenty of water and flush the drains with it. It will clear your drains of dirt and leave them with a fresh smell.
- A sink plunger is useful in the kitchen and bathroom. When you notice water flow begin to back up, plug the stoppers over the drain and then fill the sink with 3-4 inches of water. Then remove the stopper and replace with the plunger. A few vigorous plunges should clear the drain of any blockage. Rinse the sink well once blockage is cleared.
