Nobody likes clogs, especially unexpected ones. But without proper care for your plumbing, you’re going to experience a lot of them. At Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating, we’ve unclogged more than our fair share of pipes over the years, and know a few tips you can use to prevent them from getting clogged in the first place. We wanted to take some time today to share some of these tips with you.
Don’t Put Fat, Oil, or Grease Down Your Drain
It may be extremely tempting to just pour all of that oil or grease down your drain, but that actually is one of the worst things you can do. Oils, fats, and greases will clump together and cake the walls of your pipes. Some of the worst clogs we’ve ever worked on started from grease buildups. Trust us, long term, pouring grease, oil, and fat down your kitchen sink isn’t convenient at all.
Always Use a Drain Strainer
Liquids are meant to go down your pipes, but solids are not. The easiest way to prevent solids from going down your drain is to use a drain strainer. Drain strainers sit right in your drain and allow liquids to pass through while preventing solids from doing so. When your strainer gets filled, you just take it out and shake it into the trash.
Use a Garbage Disposal
As you’re washing dishes, food particles may make their way into your drain, but if you have a garbage disposal, you’re in luck! Garbage disposals chop up food bits into small particles. Every now and then you’ll have to empty your garbage disposal, and may need to have it serviced from time to time. Some things you should avoid putting into your garbage disposal include:
- Eggshells
- Paper products
- Harsh chemicals or paint
- Meat
- Bones
- Fibrous fruit
- Vegetable peels
- Pasta or rice
Run Some Hot Water Down Your Drain After Each Use
After using your sink, we recommend you set your temperature to the highest heat setting and run some water down your drain. If there is anything stuck down your drain, this hot water may be enough to dislodge it. If you experience frequent clogs, try pouring some boiling water down your pipes, as this might be enough to get things flowing again easily.
Get Some Assistance from an Experienced Plumbing Company in Maryland
Do you have a clog in your kitchen? Somewhere else in the home? Have any questions? At Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating, we’ve helped thousands of home and business owners in Maryland over our years of being in business. If you need some help with the plumbing in your house or business, you’ve come to the right place! Give us a call, or reach out through our website, today to fix all of your different plumbing issues. Our professional Maryland plumbers are standing by, ready to answer any questions you may have.