One of the most common home plumbing problems involve drains not working properly. Clogs can be a big pain, so our friendly Santa Maria plumbers have come up with a list of drain maintenance tips to ensure those problems go down the drains – in a good way!
Use Drain Guards
If you want to prevent clogs, the simplest way is to prevent debris from going down the drain in the first place. Drain guards are mesh covers that allow water to flow down the drain while stopping bigger items like hair, food, or other debris.
Of course, you’ve got to clean the drain guard regularly to keep things flowing smoothly, but that’s better and easier than trying to fix a clog somewhere in the pipes.
Ditch Chemical Drain Cleaners
Sure, chemical drain “de-cloggers” like Drano are an easy fix to a pesky clog, but they can result in bigger problems down the road. These solutions basically eat through a clog using a chemical reaction, and that means over time they can also eat through your pipes. They also pose safety and health risks if used improperly.
A better way is to use a natural solution of vinegar and baking soda. You can read more about that here.
An even better way is to use BioOne. BioOne is a uniquely effective 100% natural drain line septic and grease trap maintainer. Applied on a regular basis after a drain or septic treatment, BioOne will help to maintain free-flowing drains, eliminate odors, and reduce the number of back-ups between scheduled pumping. BioOne does not contain enzymes, emulsifiers, or caustic agents and is safer for people, pets, and pipes than many drain treatments.
Maintain Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals aren’t as destructible as they may seem. Ever try jamming some leftover potatoes down one? Yeah, that’s a plumbing nightmare waiting to happen.
So no, your garbage disposal isn’t for, well, garbage. Make sure you’re only putting a minimal amount of food debris down the drain, and you’ll definitely want to avoid things like citrus rinds, eggshells, fibrous food, grease, and, definitely, potatoes.
Clean it out once a month using two cups of ice cubes along with some salt, which cleans the blades and helps cut through grease. Try lemon to give it a fresh smell.
Leave the Big Problems to the Pros
For those clogs that just won’t seem to budge or drains that are frequently backing up or are giving off a not-so-fresh smell that isn’t going away, that’s a job for the pros at Griffin Plumbing. Our friendly Santa Maria plumbers can handle any clog, big or small, and help you prevent it from happening in the future. We’re always a call or click away.
