Whether you are an experienced drain cleaning professional or a complete novice, knowing some basic drainage tips will save you repair money and reduce overall maintenance costs. Unfortunately, many homeowners make the costly mistake of letting their drains get clogged regularly, which means more money to spend on fixes and plumbing repairs.
If you want to learn how to maintain your drains and avoid extra costs, this article is for you. Here are five drainage tips that will save you money in the long run.
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Do Regular Inspection
You should make sure to inspect your pipes at least once a year. To do this, you can use a pipe inspection camera. It will go around the bends, allowing you to see whatever is going on in your pipes perfectly.
This inspection helps you know the next step to take in maintaining your drainage. In other words, it enables you to get ahead of any damage before it gets worse, helping you save future costs that might have been incurred. You can also invest in drainage management equipment from reputable companies, like the EasyMerchant or other providers near you, to aid with pipe maintenance.
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Use A Drain Guard
Using a drain guard will help stop the amount of waste that flows into your plug holes when you wash in the sink. Drain guards have different types and are used depending on the location and purpose; steel covers, iron covers, concrete covers, composite, and linear drainage type.
Wherever you intend to use the drain guard, whether indoors or outdoors, it can prevent your drains from getting blocked and also save you expenses in the long run. By using a drain guard, you will be able to collect unnecessary debris and throw it in the bin instead.
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The Hot Water Solution
This is a very common drainage tip, and it is used widely. Pouring hot water down your drain at least once a week helps maintain it. In addition, it allows oil to run down the drain instead of sticking to the pipe surface and causing them to build up and clog.
If you think using hot water might not be enough, you can pour a cup of vinegar and let it stay for a few minutes. You should also have a cup plunger at home to help flush water if your sink gets clogged.
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Wash Garbage Disposal Properly
This is a typical do-it-yourself (DIY) way of maintaining your drainage. It helps minimize pipe blockage and saves you the cost of hiring a plumber. Adding ice cubes and a few spoons of salt when cleaning the garbage disposal will help remove grease from it. You can then rinse it off with water and add lime for a fresh scent.
You can also use a sturdy disposal brush for effective washing. Here are some things to remember when cleaning the garbage disposal.
- Disconnect the power by turning off the plug under the sink.
- Clean the splash guard. You can do this by pulling it out of a drain and cleaning it with detergent and an old toothbrush.
- Use baking soda and vinegar. Pour in your baking soda and leave it for about thirty minutes, then pour your vinegar. It will cause a foamy liquid to stir up. Leave this also for about 3 minutes before washing it all down with boiling water.
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Install Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners are products used to unclog sewer pipes or blocked drainages. At other times, the term “drain cleaner” is also used to describe a toilet plunger or a plumber’s snake. Drain cleaners are of different types and are used in different ways. They include:
- Chemical Drain Cleaners: These are readily available in either solid or liquid form in hardware stores, but it is not really practical for removing clogs far from drain openings. Prolong use also poses risks to the eyes, lungs, and skin.
- Handheld Drain Augers: This is a mechanical device that can clean within eight meters of the drain opening. This device is cheap and readily available in stores. It can, however, be frustrating to use because of its limited reach. In addition, it can only be used in small diameter pipes.
- Plumber’s Snake: It works just as the name suggests. A flexible cable is twisted down a pipe by the force from a machine. The cables are almost as long as 40 to 80 meters. It is also readily available and can clean through a long distance while removing heavy debris like tree roots and jewellery. This machine costs a lot of money, but it’s very efficient.
Other types of drain cleaners are battery-powered drain cleaners, sewer jetters, and hydro-mechanical drain cleaners. Installing any of these can help you minimize drainage problems and save costs on repairs.
Conclusion
The tips listed above have proven to be very effective in unclogging and maintaining drainages. However, you do not have to wait until your sinks are blocked before you call the plumber. Instead, take actions that can help you maintain a healthy and unclogged drainage. By being proactive, you can prevent or minimize calls to the plumber, extend the life of your drains, and save cost in the long run.