How do you keep your pipes from clogging up? 

To help keep your drains clear, there are a few easy things to keep in mind. You want to make sure you clear out your P-traps annually. Do not put grease or large amounts of food down your garbage disposal. Keep bathroom drains clean of hair to prevent buildup. Finally, for maintenance, we recommend enzymes to help keep your drain clear. 

How to prevent clogs and maintain your drains. 

Drain Maintenance

One of the best ways of preventing drain clogs is to use an enzyme-based cleaner every few months. We recommend Lenzyme.  Lenyzmes are beneficial bacteria that grow in your drain system and eat the harmful substances in your pipes that can cause clogs. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, these do not damage your pipes since they are natural bacteria. 

Bathroom Drains

Next, keep hair out of your bathroom or shower drains. You can do this by keeping a hair catcher over your drain. After you shower or shave, instead of letting the hair sit in the hair catcher or stopper and buildup make sure to clean it out. The longer you leave it, the more your hair can build up, making it harder to remove later. This one tip can save you a major headache.  Or worst case, you have to call us to go in and clear the line. 

P-Traps 

Lastly, clean out your P-Traps. Your P-traps serve a few purposes; they are the U-shaped pipes under your sink. Their first purpose is to create a seal so that sewer gas can’t get back into your home. If they are plastic, you can unscrew them and clean out hair and other debris yourself. All you need is an old toothbrush and some elbow grease. Then reconnect the pieces, and you are good to go.  If you have a metal P-trap, don’t clean it yourself; it’s a little more difficult, and we recommend getting a plumber to clean it. 

Pro Tip: Place a bowl under the P-Trap before you unscrew it so you aren’t left with a large water spill. It may seem simple, but we’ve all done it. 

What can’t go down the drain?

When it comes to your drains, there are a few big things to avoid. First, never flush anything except paper products down the drain. Yes, that even means “flushable Wipes” – those are not actually flushable. Next, do not pour paint or paint thinner into sinks, bathtub drains, or toilets. Paint can harden in your pipes, release toxic gases, and contaminate the water supply.  

Lastly, Chemical drain cleaners. They may seem safe and effective, but they use harsh chemicals to clear clogs. The chemicals work to clear your drains, but they also damage your pipes in the process. Which can lead to much bigger problems in the future.

Kitchen sink won’t drain?

Well, that might be your garbage disposal’s fault. Your garbage disposal is great for taking in a small amount of food and chewing it up before it goes down the drain, but it has limits. A small amount of table scraps is usually okay, but don’t put a large amount of food down the drain. If you have to think about it, just scrape it into the trash. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Ex: What not to put down the garbage disposal. 

• Potato Skins 
• Coffee
• Eggshells
• Green Chile skins 
• Rice 
• Pasta
• Grease

Ways to clear a clogged sink or drain. 

If you find that your drain is still clogged even though you have been doing everything right, here are a few easy things to try:

1. Boiling water: It never hurts to try boiling some water and pouring it down the drain. This can help clear any grease that might be in the way. 
2. Hanger or Snake: You can also try using an old wire coat hanger or a small drain snake from the store. Be careful not to scratch or damage your pipes during this process. 

If you still can’t clear clogged household drains, give us a call. 

When it comes to hard-to-clean clogs, sometimes they need a professionals touch. We use hydrojetters to clear grease and other debris with high-pressure water. Or, worst case, something like tree roots or old pipes are causing the system to back up; don’t worry, we can help take care of those, too. Whatever the issue, our plumbers can handle it. No sweat.

Call us at (505) 761-9644 or schedule service here.