It’s important to keep your home clean and comfortable for guests, and drain maintenance is part of that. Although it can be easy to overlook things like plumbing, it’s something worth considering before company comes over. That way, you won’t run into embarrassing or inconvenient problems with your toilet, shower drains, or sinks when they make their visit!
Know-How to Clean Your Drains
When it comes to plumbing, it’s important that you know how to clean drains. For example, sink, shower, and toilet all have their particular cleaning methods; however, once you know what needs to be done for each type of drain, then it’s easy for them too!
You can use a clogged drain as an opportunity to learn how to clean drains. You’ll want to start with a bucket of warm water, a few drops of liquid soap, and a long piece of flexible PVC pipe (a “snake”). Next, you’ll want to insert the snake into the drain and guide it through the pipe. As you do this, you’ll want to make sure that you’re bending the pipe to stay parallel with the floor of the drain. You’ll also want to be sure that you’re not bending the pipe too sharply, as this can cause it to break. As you’re working with the snake, you’ll want to ensure that you’re not pushing it too far into the drain, as this can cause damage. Finally, you’ll want to be sure that you’re not bending the pipe at a sharp angle, as this can also cause it to break.
How to Clean Your Sink’s Drains
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and regular drain maintenance will keep your sink looking and working its best. Regular maintenance involves inspecting the sink and drain for clogs and cleaning the sink when necessary. You can do this with various household cleaning products or a natural cleaner like white vinegar. You can also reduce the risk of clogs by avoiding putting certain items in the drain. For example, putting hair in the drain will clog it and cause your sink to back up. Depending on the type of sink you have, you may be able to access the drain from above or below.
Here’s how to clean your sink drains:
1. Remove hair, grime, or anything else stuck to the stopper by washing it in a solution of baking soda and vinegar.
2. Baking soda and vinegar are the perfect natural, non-toxic solution for cleaning your drain. When combined, they create an active chemical reaction that helps to unblock your pipes. Mix one part baking soda with two parts white vinegar. Pour it down the drain in a slow but even stream to avoid any splashing while pouring.
3. Let the baking soda and vinegar sit for 15-20 minutes to clear the drain.
4. Pour boiling water down the drain to flush it out. This will help get rid of any smells left behind and keep the drain clear. Alternatively, you can pour some vinegar with clumping clay into the drain to help remove odors and keep it fresh.
5. Reinstall the drain cover on your sink.
Cleaning sink drains every week, or two is easy and effective, as it deodorizes the drain. Further, it uses materials that most of us have at home already.
How to Clean Your Shower’s Drains
While you may not be able to avoid clogged drains altogether, you can take steps to reduce the risk of them happening and make sure they are easy to clean if they do happen. Keeping the drain cleaner will also help it last longer and reduce the risk of clogging.
Here’s how to clean shower drains:
1. Take the drain cover off and scrub it with either a mixture of vinegar and water or a mold/mildew remover. Once the drain cover has been scrubbed, you will have to rinse it with water to make sure that all of the cleaners have been removed.
2. To clean the drains, use the same baking soda and vinegar method you’d use to clean a sink. The vinegar will cut through soap scum and clumped-up grime, and the baking soda will help scrub away at the grime.
3. To clean the baking soda and vinegar residue, pour some boiling water down the drain. Boiling water is excellent for fighting clogs because it interacts with the pipes. As the water heats up and turns to steam, it expands and can push some of the gunk further down the pipe.
4. If you aren’t on a septic system, pour bleach down the drain to clean it. Never pour bleach down drains if you are on a septic system because bleach can kill the vital bacteria for your tank’s functionality. If you aren’t on a septic system, pour bleach down the drain to clean it. Never pour bleach down drains if you are on a septic system because bleach can kill the vital bacteria for your tank’s functionality.
5. Replace the drain cover.
How to Keep Your Toilet’s Drain Working Great
To avoid clogged toilets, you need to watch your toilet habits. Avoid flushing too much toilet paper at once or anything else that doesn’t belong in the restroom, such as feminine hygiene products and wipes.
Here’s how to keep your toilet drain clear:
1. Flush the toilet to remove any debris in the drain. The toilet will not drain properly if there is any solid matter left in the pipes.
2. To empty the tank, turn off the water to your toilet and flush it. When the tank is empty, close the water supply and flush the toilet a few more times to get rid of any residual water in the tank. Open the tank and scoop out any solid waste, then pour in a bucket of non-concentrated bleach to sanitize it.
3. Mix 1:2 proportions of baking soda and white vinegar, then pour the mixture down the toilet. Let it sit for about 20 minutes before scrubbing with a plunger or brush. The vinegar in the mixture will also leave your toilet bowl cleaner than before. The scale that settles into the bottom of your toilet is called “limescale,” which is calcium carbonate. When the vinegar reacts with limescale, it turns back into calcium carbonate, which is soluble in water. You can use this method to help get rid of limescale from your shower or bathtub.
4. Once the baking soda and vinegar have set, turn the water back on and flush it down. The baking soda and vinegar will loosen up any minor clogs or deposits, then flushing them away washes everything clean. You’ll be left with a clean toilet and fresh scent. If you want to add extra protection against stains and odors, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the water before you flush.
Using Local Drain Maintenance Professionals
For an extra layer of protection for your home, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber evaluate your plumbing system annually.
Many people keep a car mechanic on speed dial, which applies to your plumbing system. This will help prevent large repair bills by catching small issues before they become serious problems. It’s also a good idea to have a plumber on call if you ever have an emergency.
They can pinpoint any potential issues before they become bigger problems and you’re dealing with unpleasant surprises later. And if you need some clogged drains cleaned out before guests come over, contact Autry Plumbing today at 828-392-1904 or request an estimate online!
You can do a few things regularly so that your drains stay in good condition – and stop any potential problems when guests arrive!
Need a professional plumber in the WNC area? We’d love to CONNECT with you!
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