The drain is the part of your home that takes away the dirty water from the sink, toilet and appliances. If it gets clogged, nothing can go down or up through this opening. You might have a small amount of dirty water pooling in your sink, tub or shower until a plumber comes out and cleans out your drain. Or in some cases, human hair can accumulate around the drain and stick together, creating a giant ball of hairballs at the bottom of the drain.
Hot water systems Brisbane owner Charlie McCarthy explains that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old saying goes, and in the case of clogged drains, this is especially true. Clogged drains are a major cause of water leaks and drainage problems, and if these blockages are not cleared out regularly, they can result in permanently jammed drains that will require professional repair.
Bad things can happen to good drains, but there are ways you can protect your drains from clogs.
Keep A Brush Or Something Similar Nearby
You will need something nearby with which to scrape away the grime on the end of the drain opening.
Freeze it Off!
If you do not have a brush handy to clean any grime that has built up, try using something like a turkey baster to blast it away with water and/or vinegar. If oil or gunk builds up near one of your drains, pour boiling water over it. That should do the trick!
Flush It Out
Flushing your outside drains is easy. Just grab a hose and run some cold water down each drain after a rainstorm or other event which sends lots of water into them so they can flush out anything that might be in there from harmful insects to bird droppings!
Dispose Of Everything Properly
You must throw everything in the bin, not down the drain.
Keep Pests Away
It is important to get rid of harmful pests like mosquitoes and other biting bugs that might be lurking around your outdoor drains. If you do not get rid of them, they could build nests in your drains and cause major problems. Spraying vinegar into your outside drains before a rainstorm also keeps these pests at bay!Â
Check for Damage
You should look out for cracks and holes near where your outdoor drains are located and fill them in if needed to prevent water leakage and insects from getting inside. Also, if you have an underground drain, inspect it carefully for cracks and holes. If there is damage, we suggest calling a contractor to fix the issue before it becomes a problem.
Do Not Ignore The Problem!
If things like oil or gunk build up near one of your drains, pour boiling water over it or remedy the situation immediately before it gets worse.
Turn Down The Pressure
Turning down your water pressure when you shower or turn on the hose is also helpful in preventing clogs because this reduces how much can go into any given drain at once.
Use Vinegar!
As mentioned above, using vinegar around outdoor drains to keep pests away and prevent clogs. But did you know that you can also pour it down your indoor drains to keep them clean and smelling fresh?Â
Follow the Directions Carefully When Using Chemicals
When you are using a chemical drain cleaner, be sure to read the directions carefully and follow them to a tee. These cleaners can be dangerous if not used correctly!Â
Consider Using A Drain Cover
If you have kids or pets that like to play around in the yard, it might be a good idea to consider investing in a drain cover to prevent them from accidentally falling in and becoming stuck.Â
Regular Maintenance
Last but not least, the best way to prevent outdoor drain clogs is by conducting regular maintenance checks on them. This means inspecting for damage, flushing them out after events like rainstorms, and using things like vinegar to keep pests away. By following these simple tips, you will have peace of mind knowing that your drains will stay clog-free all season long!