One of the most efficient ways to prevent a clogged pipe is to take care of what is put into them. That seems easy enough, right? Cooking grease, hair, soap residue, and paper products are the most significant enemies of a household drain. Unfortunately, these items often find their way into the pipes. Do what you can to avoid introducing anything besides water and toilet-safe products into the plumbing system. Here are a few tips to prevent clogs.
Useful Tips
First and foremost, here are a few valuable tips to avoid clogged pipes:
- Save all cooking grease in an old container, such as a milk jug or coffee can, then dispose of it in the trash. Do not put grease down the drain, as it solidifies and clogs the pipes.
- Throw away all coffee grounds in the garbage or outdoors in a mulch pile
- Cover the opening to your drains using a screen or drain-grate, which helps minimize any problems with hair or soap scum. Your local plumbing supply store offers efficient grates to quell clogged pipes.
Keeping Your Drains Clean
On top of preventative methods, there are cleaning solutions to help reduce clogs, too. For example:
- Run hot water – After each use, run hot water through the sink. Hot water prevents oil from food products from building up along the pipe walls.
- Baking soda – Throw a handful of baking soda down the drain and follow it with hot water. Baking soda is a great cleaning agent that helps absorb foul odors.
- Vinegar – Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes; then follow it with hot water. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is an organic solvent that helps remove organic buildup in pipes.
Contact Us
To schedule professional plumbing maintenance, contact Pratt Plumbing by calling 806-373-7866. We’re here to help!
