How to Prevent Clogged Drains in Winston-Salem

Clogged drains can be inconvenient and, if allowed to go unaddressed, can cause lasting damage to your home. It is not always possible to keep a clog from occurring, and they’re an often inescapable part of owning a home. You can, however, take certain steps to prevent them.

How to Prevent Clogged Drains in Kitchens

Backed-up drains can be a significant inconvenience when making dinner or washing dishes. Below is a list of steps to prevent clogs in your kitchen drains.

Leftover Scraps Should Go in the Trash

Even today, most kitchens are not equipped with a garbage disposal. It is essential that you do not let food scraps slip down the drain. These scraps can build up over time and cause significant blockages to your kitchen sink. Purchasing a strainer and placing it in your kitchen drain can help mitigate this risk.

Not Everything Goes Down the Garbage Disposal

If you have a home equipped with a garbage disposal, it is wise only to allow certain foods to pass through the machine. Waste items like coffee grounds, bones, seeds, fruit pits, nuts, fibrous vegetables, starchy foods such as rice or pasta, potato peels, and tough meat should not be allowed to go through a garbage disposal. They run the risk of damaging the blades and gumming up the machinery. These foods can also build up over time and cause clogs.

Perform Cold Water Flushes After Using the Garbage Disposal

When you operate your garbage disposal, it's wise to run cold water from your faucet every time. This helps ensure food waste is pushed through the machine and carried through the drainage system.

No Oil, No Grease

Never pour oil or grease down your sink drain. If you need to dispose of these substances, it is better to pour them into a disposable container and wait until they cool and solidify to throw them away in your trash. Pouring even a small amount of oil or grease down your kitchen sink drain can result in these substances sticking to the inside of the pipes and causing clogs.

How to Prevent Clogged Drains in Bathrooms

A clog in your bathroom is more than a nuisance—it could prevent you from going about your daily life and even become a health hazard. Imagine being unable to shower, use the toilet, or brush your teeth after a long day. Below is a list of steps to take to lower your risk of bathroom clogs.

Regularly Clean Your Drain Stops

One of the easiest ways to prevent bathroom drain clogs is to clean your drain stops regularly. Soap scum and hair tend to collect on these stops and can slow drainage over time, leading to full clogs shortly if left unaddressed.

Not Everything Goes Down the Toilet

To prevent toilets from clogging or backing up, it is imperative that you only flush human waste and toilet paper down the pipes. Flushing hygiene products, hair, diapers, or prescription medications can cause immediate clogs or build-up over time. It is also important to avoid using excess amounts of toilet paper to prevent clogs.

Take Extra Precaution When Bathing Pets

If you cannot wash your pet outside, place a washcloth over the bath drain to prevent excessive amounts of pet hair from passing through your home’s plumbing, which can lead to build-up over time.

Tired of Clogged Drains? Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

Clogged drains are common, no matter how hard you try to prevent them. When these plumbing issues arise, the professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Winston Salem can help you. Call us today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about our drain repair and maintenance services.