9 Tips for Preventing a Drain Buildup

If your kitchen sink, bathtub, or toilet seem to be draining slowly, there’s a high chance you have a drain clog. Dealing with clogged drains can be frustrating, especially when faced with smelly backed-up water. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to prevent your drains from clogging.

In this blog post, we will discuss the several causes of clogged pipes and provide nine essential tips you can follow to keep your drain clear at all times and make drain cleaning in Toronto easy.

Causes of Clogged Pipes

Clogs are not just inconvenient, as they can cause corrosion, flooding, and sewage backup in adverse cases. Here are the three major causes of clogged drain repairs in Toronto:

• Foreign objects: Drain clogs often occur when foreign objects, such as food particles, hair, mineral buildup, soap scum, disposal wipes, grease, paper towels, non-flushable paper products, or tree roots, enter the pipes and accumulate over time. This creates blockages that restrict the usual flow of water and lead to clogs.
• Plumbing corrosion: Corrosion of indoor pipes, which is caused by poor water quality or chemical reactions, can result in the formation of rust and other deposits inside pipes, thus disrupting the flow of water.
• Aging pipes: While pipes are built to have longevity and durability, they tend to age over the years and become more susceptible to damage and blockages. Older pipes may develop cracks and leaks, which can lead to clogs.

9 Essential Tips to Prevent Clogs

From proper waste disposal to the regular use of drain cleaners, you can easily implement the essential steps below to prevent drain buildups.

1. Be mindful of what goes down the drains

The most effective way to prevent drain buildups is to be extra careful of what goes in them. Always ensure only water and liquid goes down the kitchen drain. For toilet drains, avoid flushing non-degradable items. The toilet is designed to flush only human waste and toilet paper.

Flushing items like sanitary products, wipes, dental floss, cotton balls, and other debris can lead to clogs as they do not break down easily and accumulate in the pipes, causing blockages. Always dispose of these items in trash bins rather than flushing them.

2. Use drain guards

Removable drain guards are recommended for kitchen sinks, showers, and bathtub drains. They come in mesh or perforated covers that fit drain holes and effectively contain food scraps, loose hairs from a shampoo wash, soap scum, and other debris that can cause clogs.

3. Clean your drains daily

Another intentional preventive measure against clogs is to clean your drains every day. This can be done by washing your drain strainer or stopper and removing contained particles from the water guard cover. Our drain cleaning services in Toronto can assist you with regular drain checkups.

4. Flush drains with hot water

Flush your drain with hot water regularly to help dissolve grease and other substances, and keep pipes clear and flowing smoothly. This is specifically useful for kitchen drains where grease buildups are common.

5. Use a plunger

A plunger can be a great tool for clearing minor clogs in sinks, tubs, and toilets. The suction created by the plunger can dislodge blockages and restore proper drainage.

However, it is worth noting that plungers vary in types. Hence, you should always use the correct type that fits the kind of drain you are clearing and to use it properly to prevent damage to pipes.

6. Use enzyme-based cleaners

Enzyme-based drain cleaners can help break down organic matter, such as food particles, and soap scum, which can resut in clogs. To ensure proper use and effective results, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

7. Check your pipes for cracks and leaks

It is important to routinely check your pipes for any signs of cracks and leaks, as they can lead to moisture buildup, which can result in clogging and flooding. If you spot any leaks or cracks, be swift to call a drain cleaning Toronto service or experts in the city you live in.

8. Try a baking soda and vinegar mix

When it comes to cleaning your kitchen sink, disinfecting your tubs and toilets, and powering through some clogs, natural remedies such as a baking soda and vinegar mix can be the most effective do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning solution.

To get started, pour a half cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of vinegar down the drain. Let the solution do its magic for 10 minutes and proceed to pour a bucket of hot water into the drain to dislodge clogs. You can repeat the process routinely to achieve optimal results.

Impressively, there are other DIY cleaning methods, such as baking soda and salt or lemon juice. Pour the mix into the drain and leave it for 30 minutes to one hour before flushing with hot water.

9. Invest in drain-cleaning products

There’s only so much you can do without drain-cleaning tools and cleaning products. By investing in tools like plungers, hydro-jets, zip-it, plumbing snakes, and enzyme-based drain-cleaners, you can ensure your pipes stay clear all year, while reducing the chances of developing a clog or damaged pipes.

If you rely on chemical cleaning products, ensure they are not harsh, or else you might risk your pipes being corroded or cracked.

However, if you experience frequent clogs, then it’s time to call drain cleaning Toronto professionals or experts close to you. They can help you determine the exact cause of the problem, provide a detailed explanation of prevention, and remove debris and waste from pipes.

Say Goodbye to Drain Buildup

Preventing clogged drains at home can help maintain smooth operations and save you the time required for repairs. While the nine tips provided are simple and easy to execute, it’s important to call professional drain cleaning services when necessary.

Dealing with clogs is frustrating, so when you encounter frequent buildups, consult the expert services at Brothers Plumbing for the most effective solutions. You can call us at 800-741-8471 or contact us online. Don’t let a drain clog slow you down today!