5 Top Tips for a Clean Drainage System In Your Home

Inside any home, there is a lot going on behind the walls, above the ceiling, and below the floors. There is an entire electrical system that powers your home, and an HVAC system and ductwork that keeps your home comfortable at the right temperature. Another very important system is the drainage and plumbing system. This ensures that you can run water for showers, washing clothes, and washing dishes, without having your whole home flood. So what can you do to keep your home drainage system clean? Some top tips for a clean drainage system in your home include:

• Inspect and Clean Your Drains Often
• Watch What You Put Down the Drain
• Use a Drain Trap or Stopper
• Use Hot Water Often
• Know What and What Not to Flush

However, for your drainage system to work its best, you need to ensure it stays clean and that all of your pipes are clear. Thankfully, there are a variety of different things you can do to help your drainage system stay clean and free-flowing. So keep reading as this guide will go into detail about these top tips for a clean drainage system in your home!

1. Inspect and Clean Your Drains Often

The best tip we can give about keeping your drains clean is to simply make an effort to inspect and clean them often. If you never clean out your drains, it should come as no surprise that they are filthy. The best way to keep your drains is to call in a professional drain cleaning service to help.

An expert will come out and inspect your drains and plumbing as a whole. These experts have several different methods to get rid of any nasty smells, unclog your drains, and ensure the pipes are as clean as possible.

The more you clean your pipes, the less time that soap scum, food, grime, hair, oil, and other items have to become clogged in your pipes. In between these visits from a professional, you can also inspect and clean them yourself. One way to do this is by using a small mirror or digital camera to look for any blockages, build-ups, or leaks. This is so you will know when to clean out your drains as needed to prevent clogs and keep your system flowing smoothly.

Ways to Clean Your Drains

There are many different ways to clean your drains. You can use chemical drain cleaners, baking soda and vinegar, and a drain snake. You could even use a homemade remedy that you find somewhere on the internet. Most of these are very affordable and easy to do. So, there is no excuse not to keep your drain in great shape.

Even if nothing seems to be wrong, preventative cleaning from time to time can be a great way to make sure no problems have a chance to materialize. As far as how often you clean, you should consider getting it done at least once a year professionally. As well as whenever you feel your drains need it.

Just a small note, if you are using a chemical drain cleaner, it is best to do it sparingly as you don’t want to cause any damage. In general, we recommend considering the use of natural products so you don’t need to worry.

Also, if there is a scent issue that remains even after you have cleaned your drains and unclogged them, consider using citrus. This could be fresh lemon juice, lemon or lime cleaner, or even putting some citrus peels in your garbage disposal. This will instantly freshen up your drain, and rid it of any foul odors that may have been there before.

2. Watch What You Put Down the Drain

While cleaning your drains is great, another big part of the equation is simply preventing them from getting dirty or clogged in the first place. One of the best ways to ensure your drains stay clean is to watch what you put them down. Many people put a ton of stuff down their drain without a second thought, and this can become very problematic over time.

There are many things you shouldn’t put down the drain. As it can become clogged or leave residue on your drain pipes that could eventually cause significant problems. This can include grease, food, hair, oil, medication, paint, coffee grounds, and many others. All of these items should be disposed of properly, even if it takes a little more time and effort.

It can be hard to get out of the habit of putting some of these things down the drain. However, it is very important if you want to make sure that your drainage system stays clean at all times. Make sure everyone in your family is on board, too. If you and your spouse are improving your habits, but your children are still putting anything and everything down the kitchen sink, your efforts will be for nothing.

3. Use a Drain Trap or Stopper

While you can be incredibly careful about what you put down the drain, accidents can always happen. Some things that you don’t intend to put in the sink or down the drain will get there. But if you add the last line of defense of some kind, it can stop these items from even getting a chance to reach your drain.

This is normally some kind of drain stopper or trap. In the kitchen, this will be a strainer of some kind that captures all of the food particles in it but lets water and liquid right through. In your shower, you can purchase a variety of different styles and sizes of drain traps that will catch hair before it reaches your drain.

Make sure to clean this stopper, as well. If you simply leave it in there all the time, it will get filthy and clog up itself. Which could lead to water not even being able to make it to your drains. In addition to often removing hair, food, or other items from the stopper, you should also deodorize and clean it. Just like your drains, this stopper can get quite smelly after a while, so it is best to deal with it before the scent becomes unbearable.

4. Use Hot Water Often

This is an incredibly simple tip, but one that is great to keep in mind. Every week or so, you should consider flushing some near-boiling hot water down your drains. This hot water can soften any existing clogs, make them easier to remove, and hopefully stop them from becoming any worse.

After the hot water has been poured, consider some dish soap afterward to aid in the removal of food, grease, and grime from the interior of the pipes. Baking soda and vinegar can follow afterward, but this likely doesn’t need to be done every time.

This is something that takes little to no time and can have serious benefits when it comes to stopping a major clog or issue in the future.

5. Know What and What Not to Flush

When many think of drains, they may think about the drain in their kitchen sink or the one in their shower. However, there is also a drain in your toilet that it is very important to keep clean, as well.

One of the best ways to keep a toilet drain clean is to simply watch what you flush. Toilet paper is fine, but things like floss, feminine products, household waste, and other items are not. Even some wipes that claim they are flushable should not be put down the drain.

The last thing you want is a clogged toilet drain that eventually leads to a nasty backup and a costly sewage system repair. So be careful about what (and how much of it) you are flushing down the toilet.

Drainage System Tips Summary

So these were our five top tips for a clean drainage system in your home. By following these simple tips, you can avoid any potential issues with your home’s drainage system. You will also be able to help keep your drains clean and ensure they don’t cause any plumbing-related issues. Keep your drains clear and free of debris, and make sure to regularly check for any blockages or leaks. Also, remember to be able to identify any potential problems and prevent them from becoming serious issues, you need to have a professional plumber clean and inspect your drains and plumbing at least once a year. By taking these measures, you can keep your home’s drainage system in top condition. Thanks for reading!