Whether you’re dealing with older plumbing, a septic system, hard water, or just careless household members, clogged drains can seem like an endless cycle. The extra guests, extra food, and endless leftovers of the holiday season also take a toll on your drains. If you’re ready to give your kitchen drains a fresh start, try these tips for a clog-free sink.
Stop Pouring Grease Down the Drain
Although it might be tempting to pour leftover oil or grease down the drain, this is one of the top sources of kitchen drain clogs. Grease and oil cling to the inside of your pipes and solidify into a blockage as they cool.
Instead, let the grease cool, and discard it in the garbage bin or compost pile. Keeping grease out of your drain is worth the effort because it saves you time and money on drain repairs later.
Install a Drain Strainer
Grease isn’t the only thing that can clog your drains. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and potato peels are just a few of the things that lead to clogs. Because bits of these foods easily slip through while you’re cooking, it can be difficult to keep them out of your drain.
A great way to prevent food bits from going down the drain is a drain strainer that sits in the bottom of your sink. These devices are affordable and easy to install, but remember to empty them into the trash or compost regularly to avoid odors.
Make Use of the Garbage Disposal
If you have a garbage disposal, consider it your drains’ best friend. When you need to do a messy task like draining pasta or peeling potatoes, do it on the side of the sink with the garbage disposal. The disposal chews up debris so that it can safely go through the pipes instead of causing clogs.
Keep Up With Drain Maintenance
Taking care of kitchen drains is an important part of home maintenance that many people overlook. Flush your drains with hot, but not boiling, water once a week to dislodge debris and wash away grease. Schedule a professional drain cleaning once a year or when you notice signs like slow drains, water backing up, gurgling sounds, or foul odors. Avoid those drain cleaners that are sold in hardware stores and cleaning aisles. These contain harsh chemicals that can damage your drains and pipes.
From being careful about what you pour down the drain to professional cleaning, there are many ways to prevent kitchen drain clogs all year long. If you want to start the year off with clean drains, call Grizzly Plumbing for all your drain cleaning needs in Great Falls, MT.
