Struggling With Clogged Sinks? Here’s How To Prevent Them
Being a homeowner is great, but it’s never a perfect experience. Every homeowner eventually runs into some home maintenance issues, including problems with the plumbing system. Clogged sinks are one of the most commonly faced plumbing problems.
It doesn’t matter where the sink clog is (the kitchen, the bathroom, the laundry room or anywhere else), they can be quite a hassle to deal with. They smell bad, drain slowly and can pool water in the sink.
Luckily, with the right tools, a clogged sink can be easily resolved. But to prevent it from happening again, homeowners should follow these three tips.
Tip 1: Don’t Pour Cooking Grease Down the Sink
What’s one of the biggest causes of sink clogs in the kitchen? Cooking grease! It accumulates quickly in the pan, especially when cooking meats, and many people will try to pour it down the drain or wash the pan with the grease in the sink. But this is not a good habit. The grease may be liquid when it initially goes down the drain, but it will turn solid in just a few minutes inside the pipes, which can block water and other waste from passing through.
Even if the grease makes it through most of the plumbing system in the house, it could still harden and clog in the main line, which is even worse. Main line plumbing clogs can force wastewater to come back towards the house and re-enter through the drains. Therefore, homeowners should never pour cooking grease down the drain. Instead, they should pour it into a bowl or a can, let it cool and then scrape it into the garbage.
Tip 2: Use the Garbage Disposal Appropriately
Garbage disposals can grind up food particles and waste like no one’s business. It may seem like there’s nothing they can’t power through, but they do have their limits.
Homeowners and their families need to remember a few best practices when using garbage disposal:
Don’t throw everything into the garbage disposal. It may be more than the device can handle and will lead to a clog.
Watch out for accidents. Spoons, forks, salt and pepper shakers, or other small items can easily get knocked into the garbage disposal by accident. This not only causes a lot of noise but can wreck the garbage disposal blades and break the device.
Turn the water on while using the device. This makes it easier for the device to break up large food particles and pressure the waste, pushing it through the pipes.
These small actions will go a long way in preventing kitchen sink clogs.
Tip 3: Regularly Clean Drain Stoppers
Many sinks, including those with garbage disposals, have drain stoppers. These small devices cover the drain to stop the flow of water and help prevent larger items from entering into the plumbing pipes. Some drain stoppers can be completely removed from the sink while others use a pop-up or twist-up mechanism. However, these drain stoppers can get dirty over time.
Homeowners need to keep drain stoppers clean to prevent any waste buildup that could lead to a clogged sink. Cleaning the drain stoppers on an annual basis is best practice and will help the plumbing system to remain clear and under control.
About Henco Plumbing Services
Since opening their doors in 2012, the mission of Henco Plumbing Services has been to provide consistent five-star service at a fair price while cultivating lifelong relationships with their customers. Their team is helpful, expertly trained and eager to help their customers overcome any plumbing issue. They also keep all service trucks fully stocked with supplies and tools to prepare for any job, big or small.
