Clogged Drains: an Ounce of Prevention

Clogged Drains: An Ounce of Prevention               

Everybody has experience clogged drains or waste stacks.  It's not pretty.  If there's a total blockage of the drain, then the sink, toilet, shower, or tub is filled with water and the blockage has to be removed through that and the chances of the homeowner being able to clear it themselves using household remedies diminishes.  Also, the more stubborn the blockage, the more likely it is that your plumbing expense is going to be bigger. The best bet is to avoid a clogged drain altogether!

 Common causes of clogged drains.

The most common reason for clogged drains is neglect.  In the kitchen, drain problems often come from failing to use the drain strainer to prevent orts of food from falling into the pipes, or from grease that accumulates in the drainpipes.  In the bathroom, using excessive toilet paper, flushing inappropriate paper items (like paper towels) or flushing tampons down the toilet, often results in a stoppage. In the bathroom sink and bathtubs, hair, hair gel, toothpaste, dental floss and other items can all cause drain problems.

 In some cases, A drain stoppage may not be a result of things you put into the drainage system. Scale, deterioration of rusted cast iron pipes, tree roots, and crushed drain lines can also cause drain stoppage.

 Household prevention remedies.

There are some things you can try to unblock drains before you call a plumber.  Using caustic cleaners based on lye or acids, however, may not be good for your pipes, your own health, your fixtures, or the environment.  Instead, consider using natural means to ensure clear drains.  Each day, after your dinner cleanup, run very hot water through the pipes.  This will help prevent smells, grease buildup and hard water deposits.  Occasionally, put a handful of baking soda into each drain and follow it with a hot water rinse.  For a stronger effect, add salt, or use vinegar (separately please!) followed with boiling water.

When it's too late.

Whatever the cause, once a drain is thoroughly blocked, a plumber might well be your only solution. At that point, the expense of clearing the drain will depend on the cause.  A simple hairball or grease bolus can often be cleared by using a local drain snake or rooter as long as the blockage isn't too far from a drain outlet. On the other hand if the blockage is deep in the main stack, or between the house and the city sewer line, power rooting or other measures may be needed.

Inspection and Prevention is key.

Your home plumbing system, like any mechanical instrument or tool, requires regular inspection and maintenance.  It's a good idea, every few years, to get a plumber or plumbing technician into to routinely snake your drain lines as a preventative measure.  For the major drain connections, video inspections should also be made periodically.  A drain pipe that has been penetrated by small roots can often be cleaned before it becomes a big problem. A drain pipe where the roots have grown and become entrenched may have to be dug up and replaced altogether.  The difference in expense is substantial!