Rather than finding remedies each time you have a clogged drain, be proactive and follow these steps to avoid clogged drains altogether.

Watch what you pour

There are certain things that you should never try to pour down your drains. This includes coffee grinds, grease and hair. All of these can quickly cause clogs and prevent water from flowing freely down your drain. Grease should be kept in a separate container and put into the trash. Coffee grinds should go directly into the garbage or into your compost pile. To keep hair from getting down your drain, you can buy a screen or drain-gate. Don’t forget that these things should be kept out of your garbage disposal too.

Hot water can be helpful

One of the best ways to keep your drains clear is to clean them using hot water. Try running hot water down your sink after you’ve finished using it. This can wash away anything that may cause buildup including food pieces. But remember, hot water is only good for clearing drains, not your garbage disposal. For that, you’ll want to use cold water. Cold water will keep grease or oil in a solid-state which they’ll need to be for grinding. Once you’ve run the disposal, you can use hot water to clear it out.

Clogged vent pipe

You may also hear gurgling in your drains because the vent pipe is clogged. Gas needs to escape the pipe, and if the vent is clogged, it will head back up the drain. The noise will be like a bubbly gurgling and is often accompanied by a foul smell from the drain. If you notice your water is draining slowly, it could be due to a clogged vent pipe.

It is easy to find your vents when you look at your roof. They are recognizable as openings in the roof near the bathroom or kitchen. Most often, they will simply be open pipes. This means that various types of debris can fall inside and clog them up.

Trim your trees

Tree roots can be another pesky cause of pipe blockage or even breakage. You’ll want to keep the trees on your property clear of main pipelines. Be sure to trim them or remove any trees that are growing too close to your pipes.

Be cautious with your garbage disposal

It may seem like your garbage disposal can handle anything. However, the things that you grind up today could become stuck in your pipes tomorrow. So, it is best to use the disposal in moderation. Although manufacturers may claim that your garbage disposal is designed to handle everyday waste, it is important to be prudent.

Don’t grind something up just because you can. Items like eggshells, food pieces and coffee grinds should be thrown out rather than put down the disposal. This is especially true for older homes where the plumbing is more susceptible to blockages. Remember to degrease your disposal about once a month using a degreasing soap and hot water, which will help clear the drain.

Prevention

Rather than dealing with a clogged drain after it has happened, try preventing blockages by using screens or strains. These easy tools can help prevent debris from collecting in your drain, which causes clogs. Items like toothpaste caps or wedding rings can become quite a nuisance when they slip down the drain. Soapscum and hair can also cause a lot of headaches for homeowners, but you can prevent them from going down the drain by using a strain.

Another prevention tool is a lint trap for your laundry room. Many people don’t realize that lint can build up and cause drain clogs as well. Putting a lint trap at the end of your washing machine’s drain hose can help prevent this problem. You should also do an annual cleaning of your pipes to clear away any debris that may lead to blockage.

The only solution to a gurgling drain is to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes. They will be able to locate the source of the problem. Once they assess what is causing the noise and where the clog is, they’ll be able to clear your pipes. Professional plumbers have the experience and equipment needed to clear your drains. This means everything will start running well again.

Once the problem is solved, it is good to regularly clean your drains and pipes to prevent blockages from happening again. You should use a baking powder and vinegar solution rather than store-bought chemicals. Those chemicals can clean your gutters quickly and efficiently, but they can also cause corrosion inside your pipes over time. Damage like that to your pipes increases the likelihood they will start to leak.

Watch what you flush

Just as you need to be careful what you pour down a drain, you also need to watch what you flush. Only organic waste and toilet paper should be flushed. But even toilet paper can cause clogs in your pipes if there is too much of it. It is also essential to know that the thicker the toilet paper, the easier it’ll clog up your drain. Here are some of the things that you should never flush:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby wipes
• Cotton swabs/Q-tips
• Dental floss
• Paper towel
• Diapers

Don’t wait!

It is essential to act quickly when you first notice a clog. Calling a professional plumber at the first sign of trouble can help you avoid more significant problems in your pipes. Because clogs don’t get better on their own, they get worse – don’t wait to fix it.

For more information about professional drain cleaning in the Comox Valley, call Jay Green Plumbing at 250-703-3957 or contact us here.