Clogged drains always come at the most inopportune time. This is made worse by the mess and added expense. Then, once it happens, there’s the big question of who to call. Do you call the company you saw on a billboard or maybe the truck on the highway? Which drain is it anyway? What happens if it is multiple drains, then what? If you don’t have a professional plumber in mind, we recommend getting a referral from a friend or checking out the Better Business Bureau. Take a minute to pause and research, it will save you time and money in the end.
One way to save money after you get unclogged is to regularly do preventive maintenance. Below are some ideas to aid in the upkeep of drains.
What not to do:
First of all keep in mind that it matters what goes down the drain. For example, you should never pour grease down the drain. Put it in an old pickle jar instead and throw it away when it gets full. Also, hair is another “no, no.” Whether it is a sink drain, tub or shower, hair gets caught. This hair traps soaps and shampoos. This tangled mess creates a stoppage in the drain.
What to do:
In the Kitchen, we recommend putting ice down the disposal with cold water running. The grinding ice will help clean off the disposal blades. Another idea is to put a ½ cup of baking soda in the disposal and add a cup of vinegar. Watch it suds up as it simultaneously cleans and deodorizes.
In the Bathroom, lift off the stopper and clean out any debris or hair; this will help keep the drain it clear. Be sure to rinse off the under side of the stopper before putting it back in place.
In a tub or shower, you can remove the drain cover and put a hair catching brush down the drain to pull out any hair that might be at the start of the drain. You can purchase these at any hardware or box store for under $5.
Recommendation:
We recommend once every 4 to 6 months that you use a bacteriological drain cleaner to maintain all of the drain in your home. We suggest these because they are 100% biodegradable, non-corrosive so it won't damage your home's plumbing system, and this much safer for your family than chemical drain cleaners.
If you have any further questions or needs please call Micro Plumbing, Inc. Big or Small, We do it all! (402) 895-1212
