Clogged drains are a real nuisance because they interfere with your plumbing system’s ability to function properly. When your drains become clogged, your bathtubs and sinks drain slowly. If the drain clogs are severe enough, blockages occur that will render your plumbing unusable. These blockages can lead to water backups and flooding, causing you to spend thousands of dollars to repair the damage. To prevent clogged drains and enjoy significant savings, you must follow the below three tips.
1. Pay Close Attention to What You Allow to Go Down Your Drains
The first step to preventing drain clogs is to avoid using your drain as a trashcan. Food, grease and pieces of trash must never be allowed down your drains. During the extremely cold Bozeman winters, liquids and oils will quickly solidify in your pipes, and this will eventually lead to a clog that will later become a blockage. If you are cooking with grease or oil, let it cool off and then dispose of it in the trashcan. If there is excess food on plates or in pots, scrape it off into the trashcan before putting them into the sink.
2. Put Mesh Screens or Strainers in Your Drains
Even when you try your best to keep forbidden things from going down your drains, debris particles still make their way there, and this can cause buildup that leads to clogging. Drain screens or strainers will keep even the smallest debris particles from making their way down your drains. Just remember to clean your drain strainers or screens one or more times a day so water will continue to drain optimally.
3. Schedule Regular Drain Cleaning
In spite of your best efforts to maintain your drains, soap scum will build up overtime. If there is enough buildup, a drain clog will occur. Because soap scum buildup is unavoidable, experts highly recommend that you have your drains cleaned regularly. It is ideal to schedule drain cleaning with a professional plumber once a year. Do not attempt to clean your drains yourself using caustic drain cleaners. Such drain cleaners are highly corrosive and will damage your pipes over time. During a professional drain cleaning session, our plumbers will use specialized tools to ensure your drains are clear from bacteria and debris buildup, and then they will test your drains to make sure water is flowing smoothly.
If you are currently contending with a clogged drain, reach out to Mountain Valley Plumbing and Heating for assistance. No job is too large or too difficult for us to handle. We serve clients in Bozeman, MT and surrounding areas, and we look forward to serving you.