You had your entire night planned. After getting off of work you were going to cook a wonderful dinner, clean up the kitchen, then enjoy a relaxing evening. It sounds perfect. There is just one little hitch: a stopped-up drain. It happens to the best of us. One moment everything is fine, then a kitchen sink clog rears its ugly head. What are you to do? Well, call for professional drain cleaning. This situation is avoidable. Here is how to keep your kitchen sink from clogging!
Why Kitchen Sinks Clog
The reason why your kitchen sink is clogging is likely due to what is being put down the drain. Most often, homeowners are not mindful of what they are tossing into the garbage disposal if there even is one. From eggshells to bacon fat, everything goes down the drain, right? Well, that is where you would be wrong.
First and foremost, you should never dump grease, coffee grounds, oils, or fat down the drain. Grease, even paired with hot water from the sink, will congeal in the drain and cause a blockage. Hot water may delay the process, but it’s only a matter of time. With coffee grounds, the material compacts in the pipe and forms a serious clog.
Preventing Kitchen Sink Clogs
One of the best methods to prevent kitchen sink clogs is tossing items in the garbage. That’s right, instead of the drain, put your coffee grounds or grease into a container and throw it away
- Save your cooking grease in a coffee can or disposable container, then toss it in the trash.
- Throw coffee grounds in the garbage straight away or add them to a mulch pile in the backyard.
- Install a screen or drain-grate to prevent soap scum and food debris from falling into the drain. You can pick up either device from a local plumbing store.
Some useful drain cleaning tips:
- After each use, consider running some hot water down the drain. While it will not outright prevent a clog, hot water helps food products run down the drain easier.
- Try throwing a handful of baking soda, followed by hot water, down the drain. Baking soda is a fantastic cleaning agent and odor absorber.
- Pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes; then follow it with boiling water. The combination helps remove organic buildup within the pipes. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is perfect for food debris.
Your other, perhaps more worthwhile, option is to hire a professional drain cleaning service to handle every drain in your home in one appointment. An experienced plumber is better equipped and trained to tackle kitchen and bathroom drains for a healthier plumbing system!
Schedule efficient drain cleaning services with Pratt Plumbing in Amarillo, Texas. Give us a call at 806-373-7866. We’ll send a licensed plumber straight to your doorstep, fully equipped to tackle your drain cleaning woes!
