How to Clean Drains and Prevent Clogs

Clogged drains are something most homeowners avoid cleaning until absolutely necessary. It’s easier to ignore the nuisance than deal with what’s hiding down the drain. Eventually, though, you’ll have to take steps to clean the drain.

Cleaning a Clogged Drain

Most clogged drains in the bathroom are caused by a buildup of soap scum, hair, and cleaning products. This can easily be fixed by manually removing the clog using a bent wire or drain weasel. If you’re using a wire, bend the tip into a small hook and keep the rest of it straight.

For clogged drains in the kitchen (as well as in the bathroom) you can pour a mixture of vinegar and hot water down the drain to clear a grease clog. After a few minutes, use a plunger to dislodge the clog.

Tips to Preventing Clogs

Here are a few things you can do on a regular basis to keep drains clean:

• Pour hot water down the drain at least once a week.
• Pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. Rinse with two quarts of hot water 30 minutes later.
• Pour an enzyme drain cleaner down the drain once a month.
• Scrape food off of dishes, pots and pans and rinse them off before placing into the dishwasher.
• Use an enzyme cleaner to clear materials like hair, grease, food particles, soap scum, paper and cotton.
• Use screen covers to keep hair out of the drain.
• Don’t flush paper towels or wet wipes down the toilet.
• Schedule an inspection of the septic system to check for and prevent major issues.

Things to Avoid

One of the first things you’ll naturally want to do is to buy a chemical drain cleaner. But the truth is, many of these products contain chemicals that can actually damage pipes and cause worse problems in the future. Avoid using acidic drain cleaners. Instead, use an enzyme cleaner. These cleaners are great for maintenance and can help keep drains clear.

When to Call the Experts

Not all clogs are created equal. If you’ve tried all of the above recommendations for clearing the drain but haven’t seen results, the issue may be more serious and you’ll need a professional inspection. Give us a call at (913) 227-4943 for a free inspection and we’ll get to the root of the problem.