By far the most common calls plumbers get are for bad clogs. When it comes to plumbing, a severe drain clog is right up there with one of the most annoying problems. In this blog we want to share some tips that will help keep your plumbing pipes running smoothly and efficiently.
The number one cause for clogs are years of buildup of gunk. Hair, particles and soap residue combine to form this gunk. Installing a good strainer on your shower, bathroom sink and bathtub can prevent a large amount of these materials from going down into your drain.
“Human hair is very strong for its size and weight. It is actually the perfect material if you were to purposely try to cause a clog in fact,” says Jake, a plumber in Melbourne, Florida. “The more hair you can keep from entering the drain the better off you will be.”
Hot Water to the Rescue
In your kitchen, many times fats from foods can find their way down your drainpipes. They will then solidify as they cool. It’s a good idea to run the hot water for a minute or two sometimes, to help liquify the solids and send them out into the main sewer. Some people will even boil a huge pot of water and poor it down their drain.
Chemical Clog Removers
Chemicals exist on the market so that the user can clear out a drain clog on their own. Though these chemicals are sometimes effective, they can be hard on your pipes and plumbing system. People will often spend 15 or 20 bucks on these chemicals and the clog isn’t resolved.
Plumbing Snake
The best thing in the world for a clog is a plumbing snake. This is a mechanical device which gets down into your drain and with a spinning motion, it cleans out the gunk. A good plumbing snake can be bought for 20 or 30 dollars at your favorite hardware store.
Plungers
If you notice things slowing down, don’t wait. A plunger can nip a small clog in the bud, or you could try a drain snake from the hardware store for something stubborn. Just steer clear of overusing chemical drain cleaners—they can chew up your pipes over time. Stick with these habits, and your pipes should stay pretty cooperative.
Pipe Breakages
Sometimes your clog can be something more severe than a simple debris clog. If an old iron pipe which runs from your house to the main sewer collapses, it can cause a serious jam. In this case, a plumber will need to dig up the old pipe and replace it. This is a labor intensive job and can cost quite a bit on money. It’s probably a good idea to have a few thousand dollars tucked away in a separate savings account earmarked for household emergencies only.
Conclusion
Pipe clogs are a fact of life. Knowing how to approach the problem and when to call in the “big guns” is essential. Start with the simple fixes of using hot water and a drain snake. If that doesn’t work then it may be time to call on a professional plumber.