Keeping your drains running efficiently saves you hassle and money. Here are some simple steps that can help.
Try a Natural Cleaner
To help prevent clogs in your pipes, you can use a natural cleaner such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Pour some bicarbonate of soda into the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar, and wait while it fizzes. After a few minutes, rinse your pipes with hot water to finish the process.
Stop Food and Grease Going Down the Sink
Remove food scraps and grease from your sink. Cooking grease and eggshells are common culprits that get stuck in drains. To avoid this, invest in a sink strainer. Make sure the strainer fits correctly, because one that is too small may fall into the drain or let food slip through. Choose one made of good-quality material and check the size of your plughole before buying.
Grease build-up is one of the top reasons that kitchen drains clog. When you are cooking, pour any leftover grease into a metal can or jar, let it cool and put it in the bin rather than down the sink. If you already have a blocked drain, contact a drainage company. They can help you solve the problem, so do not put it off. When in need of CCTV Drainage Surveys Alcester, consider https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/cctv-drain-surveys-alcester/
Clean Drains Regularly
Cleaning drains regularly is very important to prevent clogs. Make sure you check bathroom drains regularly for hair build-up. Even if you only notice a few hairs, it is better to clear them often than to leave them to build up. For stubborn blockages, physical removal with a drain snake or plunger may be necessary.
Using Shop-Bought Drain Cleaners
You can also use shop-bought drain cleaners to get rid of clogs. These are more expensive than homemade options but may be easier to use. Always read and follow the instructions on the label, as some products are harsh chemicals and some may damage certain types of pipe.
Related: Who to call when your drains hit a problem
Three common culprits and how to stop them
Most household blockages come down to three things: coffee grounds, hair mixed with soap scum, and cooking grease. Coffee grounds do not dissolve, so they settle and build up in bends in the pipe; tip them into the bin or compost instead. Grease is worse, because running the tap afterwards does nothing to shift it. Oil and water do not mix, so the fat simply cools and coats the inside of the pipe. Pour it into a container, let it set and bin it.
In the bathroom, a simple hair catcher over the plughole stops hair and soap scum before they get into the pipe, and it only takes a moment to empty. If something has already gone down that should not have, act early before it hardens into a blockage. If a drain stays slow despite your efforts, or the problem seems to lie in the shared sewer rather than your own pipes, contact your water company rather than trying to dig into it yourself.