Your Drains Need Spring Cleaning Too

Spring cleaning is a ritual many of us take part in every year when the temperatures warm and the days get longer.  This often entails cleaning windows, dusting everything, and making sure our homes smell fresh. But what about your drains?

Don’t Wait for a Problem to Clean Your Drains

Cleaning your drains may not be an item on your traditional spring-cleaning list, but taking a little time to clean your drains thoroughly can avoid some major problems down the road.

Drains are subjected to all types of “stuff” going down them including food particles, hair, soap residue and many other items that can slowly cause your drains to clog.

Here are a few suggestions on how to clean your kitchen, bathroom and outside drains.

• Baking soda and vinegar are great natural cleaners.
  Clear the area around your sink and put a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow that with a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Now plug your drain and let it sit for an hour. Then, unplug the drain and pour a pot of boiling water down it. Continue pouring boiling water down the drain until it is clear.

• Organic drain cleaners may also be used.
  

  The combination of baking soda and vinegar can often clear many slow or clogged drains.

• Use a drain snake to remove any hair and other residue that has built up over time. A closet auger has a hooked or bristled end that can reach down the drain and clean it out.
• Don’t forget your outside drain lines. Overtime roots can find their way into outdoor drain lines and cause significant problems. Periodically using an EPA approved product that kills roots in residential sewer lines, storm pipes and septic systems will keep these lines clear.

Here are some additional tips to avoid having clogged drains:

• Keep drains and pipes clear of buildup by running hot water after every use. This will help wash away any residue and keep water flowing freely.
• Never put grease, oil, banana peels, potato peels, eggshells, bones, pits or seeds down the drain.
• Put ice cubes in your garbage disposal to sharpen the blades.
• Run cold water when the disposal is on.
• For a fresh scent put tiny citrus or lemon peels in the disposal.
• Put a hair trap in your bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers.

An Ounce of Prevention

A clogged drain can be a real nuisance. A toilet that won’t flush or a sink or tub that won’t drain can certainly put a damper on your day. By giving a little attention on a regular basis to your drains you can make these occurrences few and far between.

When Your Best Efforts Don’t Work

If you do find yourself dealing with a slow or clogged drain that you can’t take care of yourself, give Brenneco Plumbing a call.  We’ll be happy to help.