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Drainage maintenance is an essential part of any home or commercial property maintenance. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked, leading to clogs and water contamination.
✓ As a result, you may experience some issues caused by contaminated water. Stagnant water or leaking pipes, for example, may lead to structural damage, which can be costly in the long term.
✓ This article will focus on avoiding blocked drains and costly repairs while ensuring that your drainage system remains functional.
5 Ways To Keep Your Drainage System In Tip-Top Shape
a. Regular cleaning
✓ Your foremost step to a fully functional drainage system is regular cleaning. There are many ways to accomplish this task. But first, you may want to remove any debris collected at the top of the drain.
✓ Once that’s done, you can try the following options:
- Flushing
Flush the system with water to remove any build-up. Use a hose or a pressure washer for this task. Doing so will help prevent clogging of the pipes and sewer lines.
- Use natural cleaning agents
Baking soda, vinegar, and hot water are the best natural cleaning agents to employ. This is the ideal solution if your drainage system has any odor caused by bacterial buildup.
Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture settle for 30 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water. You can do this monthly to clean out residue and keep your drainage system in good shape.
b. Remove clogs
Sometimes, flushing your drainage system with water and using cleaning agents may not be effective. In that case, you’ll need a better workaround to remove the clogs. Here are some solutions you can try:
- Plunger: It creates a vacuum seal around the drain and pushes air and water through the clog, breaking it up and allowing it to flow through the drain. For better results, ensure enough water to cover the cup of the plunger before unclogging the toilet or sink. Pump it up and down until there is improvement in your drainage system.
- Drain Snake: This long, flexible tool is often used to break up clogs deep into the drain. Insert the drain snake into your drainage system and twist, then pull out the clog or flush it away with water.
- Air-powered cleaner: This tool creates a burst of pressurized air or water that pushes the clog out of the drain. To use an air-powered cleaner, you insert the device into the drain and inflate it with air or water. The pressure created by the tool can dislodge the clog and allow it to flow through the drain.
✓ You should be careful, though, when using any of these plumbing tools. For one thing, the pressure generated by the air-powered cleaner can damage the plumbing fixtures.
✓ But why is a heating pad not included on the list? That’s because it’s not a recommended solution for delivering hot water to the drain. You’re better off pouring the water directly into the drain.
✓ Moreover, using a heating pad on or near plumbing fixtures can be dangerous and could potentially cause damage to the fixtures or the surrounding area. Heating pads are designed for personal use and not for plumbing purposes.
c. Use drain screens
✓ Drain screens are features installed on a plumbing drain to allow water while preventing debris from entering the drainage system. The most popular ones are made of metal, rubber, or plastic and have a basket or mesh-like design.
✓ These devices help you be proactive in addressing plumbing problems. They prevent drainage issues before they happen by capturing the debris and allowing you to discard it during your cleaning routine.
✓ It’s worth noting that these screens are available in different sizes. Depending on the location and desired purpose, they can catch food, hair, or smaller particles. They’re handy in areas with a lot of debris or households with pets or long-haired individuals.
d. Avoid pouring grease down the drain
✓ Grease is your drainage system’s biggest enemy. Unfortunately, many people still make the mistake of pouring it down the drain instead of disposing of it safely. Doing so can cause severe damage to your drainage system.
✓ When you pour hot grease down the drain, it can solidify and stick to the inside of pipes, creating a blockage that can be difficult to remove. Over time, this completely clogs the drain, leading to slow water movement and potential backups.
✓ Grease is also harmful to the environment. When it leaves your drain, it enters the sewer system and may combine with other materials to create significant blockages. These blockages can lead to sewage backups and overflows, causing damage to the environment and potentially posing a health risk.
✓ You can avoid these problems by disposing of grease in the trash after it has cooled. You can also recycle or use a grease trap to collect it before it enters the sewer system.
e. Hire a professional
✓ While the methods mentioned above are safe and effective, you may be unsure about the best solution for your situation. If that’s the case, you’ll need to consult a professional who can offer advice and guidance.
✓ Hiring a plumber is also the best option when you’re dealing with recurring problems with your drainage. They can assess your system, identify any underlying issues, and then provide possible solutions.
✓ Of course, the services of these experts can be costly initially, but they can help you save money in the long run by preventing expensive repairs.
✓ Below is how you can search for the right plumber:
- Check if they have proper licensing and other certifications.
- Find someone experienced in the field.
- Ask for referrals from your friends and family.
- Consider your budget and see if the cost of their services is reasonable.
- Go for someone who can also offer a guarantee on their tasks.
✓ These tips will allow you to find and hire a reputable plumber, as well as avoid unnecessary legal issues in the future.
Conclusion
Maintaining your drainage system should be a priority. By caring for this part of your home well, you won’t have to worry about dealing with significant property damage or health issues. Just remember to conduct regular cleaning. Drain screens will prove useful too.
