Blocked drains can quickly turn into a major nuisance resulting in water backups that damage floors and foundations. Fortunately, prevention is easier than dealing with severe blockages or full system breakdowns. With proper care, you can avoid blocked drains and maintain your drainage system’s functionality in your Redhill home or office. Here, we provide expert advice on how to prevent blocked drains.
1. Be Mindful Of What Goes Down Your Sink
Your kitchen sink isn’t a disposal ground for scraps of food from your plate. Routinely tossing leftovers, coffee grounds, cooking oil, and other substances down your sink will gradually cause stubborn blockages in your drains. Consider scraping off food particles into a bin before washing your dishes. You may also invest in a sink strainer to catch small food particles and other debris, making the drain less susceptible to clogs.
2. Properly Dispose Of Grease And Fat
Pouring hot grease, fats, and oils down the drain is a common technique for disposing of kitchen waste, but it’s one of the leading causes of drain blockages. These substances solidify when they cool, creating a congealed mass that sticks to the sides of the drain pipes, gradually blocking them. Instead of pouring them down the sink, consider storing them in a container to cool and dispose of it properly in the trash.
3. Regular Drain Cleaning
Regular cleaning of your drains can save you a lot of hassle. Opt for natural methods like pouring hot, boiling water down the drains periodically to melt away fat and grease and keep them free-flowing. You can also use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of vinegar into the drain, cover it for about 20-30 mins and then flush it with boiling water. This solution is excellent for breaking down minor blockages and refreshing your drains.
4. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
As tempting as it may be to use chemical drain cleaners for quick fixes, they do more harm over time. These harsh chemicals can wear down your pipes from the inside out, leading to leaks or other damages. If boiling water or a baking soda-vinegar mixture solution can’t blocked drains redhill tackle the blockage, it’s highly advisable to call a professional.
5. Professional Pipe Inspections And Cleanings
Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, even when you see no sign of a blocked drain, it is a good idea to schedule regular pipe inspections and cleanings by professionals. This allows for early detection of potential problems and can save you substantial repair costs down the line. Professionals can use state-of-the-art equipment such as CCTV drain inspection methods to view the internals of your drainage system and fix any potential issues.
In conclusion, blocked drains are a preventable problem. By being mindful of what you pour down your drain, regularly cleaning your pipes, and getting professional inspections, you can significantly diminish the chances of facing a blocked drain in your Redhill property. If you do encounter a stubborn blockage or need an expert’s touch, remember to contact a specialist to avoid escalating the problem.