How to Prevent and Clear a Clogged Drain

The most common plumbing problem that every homeowner deals with is the clogged drain. The only thing better than a sure-fire remedy for a clogged drain is not having to deal with the clog in the first place. To that end, here are several tips to keep your drain clear and a few remedies if you find yourself with one.

Preventing a Clog
A clog is frustrating whether your drain is completely plugged or just has a partial blockage that is slowing the drain. We all want to avoid the problem, so here are a few tips to do just that.

• Do not pour grease or oil down the drain. Grease and oil will solidify in your pipes and lead to a clogged sink. Instead, pour the grease into a sealed container and throw it in the garbage.
• Keep a strainer on shower and bath drains. Hair is a common culprit of clogged shower and bath drains. Make sure your drain has a screen or strainer to keep hair and other larger items out of your drain. Clean the strainer regularly.
• Never pour anything that solidifies down the drain. This includes paint, glue and wax. These items can solidify and collect in your drain and cause a whole or partial blockage.
• Your toilet is not a wastebasket. Flushing tissues, sanitary products, cotton balls and diapers down your toilet is asking for problems. These products are not made to properly dissolve in water and will cause a clogged toilet.
• Run cold water with the disposal. When using your kitchen sink disposal, run cold water at least fifteen seconds after you turn the disposal off to clear the pipes of any remaining food items. Also avoid running stringy or fibrous foods like banana peels, carrots and celery through the disposal, as they are likely to get tangled and cause a clog.
• Use a natural drain cleaner. Pour a natural drain cleaner like Bio-Ben down your drains once a month. The natural bacteria and enzymes in a product like Bio-Ben helps prevent clogs by breaking down any material that may be in your pipes.

Clearing a Clog
Despite doing all of the above, you may still experience a clog in your drain. It can be especially frustrating if you are unsure of the solution. Here are a few things to keep in mind when clearing a drain.

• Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners. The acids in chemical drain cleaners are not only toxic for you and the earth, but can also damage your metal or PVC pipes. It is much better to use another method.
• Use the plunger correctly. Many small clogs can be loosened using a plunger. Make sure you are using the correct type of plunger for the application. Sink plungers and toilet plungers are different. When using a plunger on a bathroom sink, fill the sink with a little water and place a rag in the overflow hole to give the plunger a better seal.
• Don’t panic. If you cannot unplug the drain yourself, contact a professional. A clogged drain does not mean that you will have to have your backyard or home torn up to find the clog. Professional plumbers can usually find and fix a clog with very unobtrusive methods.

Chances are, you are going to be faced with a drain problem at some point. However, using these preventative and drain clearing tips, a clog should be less stressful.

If you want more information or need help clearing a clogged drain, contact Benjamin Franklin today.