Maintaining a house comes with a lot of responsibilities. It also includes maintaining drains and keeping them in check to not give rise to plumbing issues in the future. Although one may think that it is a humongous task to keep the sink drains clean and free of any type of clogging, it is not always that difficult. There are tips that one can follow and numerous other ways to ensure that such form of drain clogging does not take place.
One of the most clogged types of drain is a sink pipe. Sinks are used for washing hands, utensils and other food-related items like fruits, vegetables, rice and grains. All these things can lead to the sink becoming clogged as the food bits get stuck in the pipe. This is where one might need to call a good plumber who knows about sink drains like the professionals at hedlundplumbing.com, especially when the clogging is a bit too much. Besides this, one should also take preventive measures to ensure that such a situation does not occur and the sink drain is maintained properly. Some tips to keep one’s drains clear and free are:
1. Use A Biological Cleaner
Biological cleaners include enzymes in them which can help in unclogging pipes. They are also a better alternative to harsh chemicals which may be used for cleaning up and removing drain clogs like caustic soda and bleach.
The enzymes contained in a biological cleaner help in clearing up a lot of organic build up that may block a pipe. This includes food bits, bacteria, mould and other built up fats in the drain. For using a biological cleaner one must follow the instructions given on the packet of the particular cleaner that they are using.
2. Use Boiling Water Once Every Week
One good step to keep a weekly maintenance of the drain is to pour down boiling water in the drain once every week. It is an easy and simple way to clean the pipe. But it is also natural and hence can be preferred by many who do not wish to use chemicals to clean their bathroom or kitchen sink. Even though it is natural, it is quite effective especially as it helps in removing clogged up fats and oils from the sink pipe and can also aid in removing the build-up of hair and other foreign material which may lead to a clogged up sink.
3. Use A Combination Of White Vinegar And Baking Soda
If the natural methods of using boiling water or natural biological cleaners do not work then people can use methods like baking soda and white vinegar. It is a good alternative to the natural methods without the use of very hard chemicals. One can also use a bicarbonate of soda if they do not have baking powder with them. One of the best things about this method of cleaning drains is the materials needed for it can be easily found in the kitchen itself.
To do this, one should take a cup of white vinegar and add a couple of tbsp of the baking soda or bicarbonate of soda in the cup. After that, one should immediately pour the whole mixture down the pipe. After that, one should let it rest for a good five to seven minutes and then directly use hot water to wash it down the pipe.
4. Do Not Dump The Fats In
A big contributor to the clogging of pipes, especially those of kitchen sink, are the oils and fats that one dumps into the sink. If after cooking, one is left with extra fat that they do not wish to consume or require for further cooking then they should ensure that they do not put the fats down the pipe. They should instead keep the extra fats in a separate container. Putting oils and fats down the pipe can lead to the collecting up of thickened and hardened fats thus clogging the pipe and leading to further accumulation of different debris from kitchen waste.
5. Make Sure To Remove Food Bits and Hair
Besides this, another way to prevent regular clogging of kitchen and bathroom sink drains, one should remove the extra debris from the top of the drain every time after one uses it and look for ways to prevent debris from accumulating on the drain in the first place. For example, if one is doing the dishes in the kitchen sink, they should firstly ensure that they remove all the food bits from the used utensil before washing them in the kitchen sink. These food bits should instead be put in a separate trash bag. This allows for the sink pipe to not get accumulated with food bits after the utensils are done being washed and hence preventing chances of food clogging in the future in the kitchen sink drain.
On the other hand, in bathroom drains, one should regularly remove the hair from the top of the drain, especially after one takes a shower, washed their head and has longer hair. This helps in ensuring that a lot of the hair does not end up going inside the pipe and leading to future clogging issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, proper maintenance of sink drains is crucial in order to prevent plumbing issues and ensure their smooth functioning. By following a few simple tips, homeowners can keep their drains clear and free from clogs. One effective method is to use biological cleaners that contain enzymes to break down organic build-up and eliminate blockages. Additionally, pouring boiling water down the pipe once a week can help dissolve fats, oils, and other debris that may accumulate over time. Another natural solution is to use a combination of white vinegar and baking soda, readily available in most kitchens, to tackle stubborn clogs. It is also important to avoid dumping fats and oils down the pipe, as they can solidify and cause blockages. Regularly removing food bits and hair from the drain prevents them from accumulating and causing future clogs. By implementing these simple tips, one can maintain their sink drains effectively, saving themselves from the inconvenience and expense of plumbing problems in the future.