How To Maintain Your Home’s Drain System 

Every homeowner has to deal with a clogged drain every now and then. While inconvenient, most clogs are minor and don’t cause any permanent damage.  

That doesn’t mean you just accept clogged drains as a part of life, though. Knowing how to maintain your home’s drain system and maintaining some good habits are critical to preventing damage to the pipes and more. Your home plumbing system needs some TLC to keep working reliably.

Keep the Drains Clear With Regular Maintenance 

When it comes to healthy drains, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When you follow these tips on how to maintain your home’s drain system, you don’t need to worry about clogs, water backups, and water damage — and the massive costs to repair them. 

Take Care With Waste Disposal 

Being mindful of what you rinse down the drain is the key to clogs prevention. In addition to never pouring fats, grease, or oil down the drain since they can coat the inside of the pipes and congeal to create blockages, avoid rinsing coffee grounds and eggshells down the drain, too. These substances stick to pipe walls and can accumulate into an obstruction. 

Using drain covers or guards can block larger debris and hair from going down the drain and accumulating into a clog. These inexpensive devices can prevent big repair bills.

Clean the Pipes Often 

Regular cleaning is also key to pipe maintenance, but don’t reach for liquid drain cleaners. The caustic chemicals they contain can do more harm than good.

Instead, pour boiling water down the drain to melt accumulated grime, and follow with a cold water rinse to flush it away. Once a month, pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the drain, plug the sink, and allow the mixture to sit overnight. The gentle solution will help clean and freshen the drain without damaging it. 

Arranging for a professional drain cleaning once a year can also keep your plumbing trouble-free. Plumbers use powerful high-pressure water jets to remove even the toughest debris from the sides of the pipes and break through obstructions like hair, grease, and even tree roots. 

Schedule a Drainage Inspection 

It’s a good idea to have a plumber perform a comprehensive home plumbing system and drainage inspection once a year to ensure that everything is in good condition and there aren’t any issues that need attention. Checking the plumbing for signs of wear and tear, leaks, loose joints, and other issues allows you to fix problems while they’re still minor, not when they are emergencies and causing thousands of dollars in damage. 

Talk to Us About Effective Drainage Solutions 

If you have questions about how to maintain your home’s drain system, want to schedule a plumbing inspection or drain cleaning, or need any other plumbing service, call Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain at (855) 390-0457. Arizona and Southern California homeowners can rely on us for fast, reliable service that keeps their drains flowing freely. See the difference we can make.