Tips to ensure your pipes drain smoothly
If you are a homeowner, or have had contact with a fair number of sinks, tubs or toilets, you have probably dealt with a clog at one point or another. Just about every home has had a problem where the pipes drain incorrectly because of buildup.
These clogs can be super frustrating, and depending on where the clog resides, can happen for a number of reasons. We can help you find the reason for your clog and can tell you remedies in the future to maintain your pipes are draining with no issue at hand.
Though it may seem like common sense not to put things in the toilet that don’t belong there, accidents do happen and pipes do get clogged. Think about what you are putting into your drains beforehand and you will stop a lot of these clogs from happening in the first place. If you have to bring in a Salt Lake Plumber to help with the job, make sure to ask what caused the leak so you can stop doing that in the future. People put things down the drain all the time that they shouldn’t and this is what causes clogs in their homes.
Bathroom
Your bathroom is the first place we’ll go to check on clogs. Bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about bathroom clogs.
These clogs are usually a result of soap scum, hair and waste build-up that gets caught in your pipes. If you have an elbow pipe this might happen. The hair and soap scum get caught in the angle and then you are stuck with a slow drain. This can stain your bathroom appliances and might even build up to the point of nasty water left over.
If you already have the major clog in your bathroom sink or tub or shower, you may need to use a chemical to help you out (we don’t recommend this, as it could do further damage to the pipes.) Remember to read all directions and use proper safety gear when using any chemicals. Though the chemicals are probably safe enough, any splashed-up chemicals that get into your eyes can cause you serious harm. If you do happen to splash chemicals in your eyes, wash them out thoroughly and call your local poison control center for further advisement. Always be safe and use precaution when handling cleaning chemicals.
If your clog is in your toilet, you have whole other beast on your hands. Chemicals probably won’t work for the clog in your toilet and you might need to call a professional for your problem. If you have tried a plunger and that doesn’t work, you may need to snake the pipes in your toilet. If you don’t have experience with this, a plumber in Salt Lake City can help. Clogged toilets can be disgusting and you will want to fix this issue as soon as possible.
Again, you may need to be wary of what you are putting in your pipes. Toilets aren’t meant to flush down that many things, and this is especially true if you have a septic system. Some things that shouldn’t be put into your toilet are things like cotton swabs, non-biodegradable toilet paper, woman’s sanitary napkins and tampons or wet wipes and things of that nature.
The septic system is not meant to break those items down and you will end up with a clog or a busted system in no time. If you have family and friends over, a simple note letting them know what your system can and can’t handle will be a helpful reminder. Not everyone has had experience with septic tank systems so help them out and help yourself out with a helpful note.
Kitchen
Finally, we’ll move on to the kitchen. Your kitchen sink can clog quite easily, and contrary to what you might think, more so if you have a garbage disposal.
This goes back to putting things into the disposal that you shouldn’t be putting down the drain. The list here is pretty easy and the number one thing you shouldn’t be putting down your kitchen sink is grease or cooking oil.
Over time, grease and cooking oil will build up in your drains and in the pipes near your home. This can turn into a larger problem that extends beyond your walls. Because of the buildup of grease and cooking oil, other food stuffs can get caught up quite easily. These foods include things like stringy celery that might get tangled up and start a slow clog. Or maybe rice or potatoes that, once filled with water, get trapped next to other things and start to clog your pipes.
Any starchy food that absorbs water and retains it and then takes on a new size should be avoided so as to avoid possible clogs. Also, avoid putting egg shells, potato peels, and other vegetable peels down the sink. Be wary of home remedies that are used freshen up your pipes, and call a plumber Salt Lake City if your clog doesn’t go away.