Badly-maintained drains can eventually lead to blockages and clogs that are a huge hassle to sort out, so it makes sense to take the easy route and make the effort to take proper care of your pipes, thereby preventing any problems from arising in the first place.
Here, you’ll advice on essential drain maintenance tips that will keep the water flowing smoothly in your kitchen and bathroom, as well as guidance on what to do if you think your drains might be in need of a clean-out.
If you want to avoid the inconvenience and costs associated with drain blockages, the key is making sure you’re aware of the bad habits that leads to pipes getting clogged, and making small changes to your usage habits to nip potential problems in the bud.
Here are a few drain maintenance essentials that can make a big difference:
For those who want to take a more proactive approach to maintaining and cleaning their drains, there are a few additional steps and techniques that can be used to shift any blockages that may be in the process of developing. However, it should be remembered that many of these methods come with a certain amount of risk unless they are carried out with great care.
In most cases, drain-cleaning tasks are best left to the professionals, as trained engineers will always have the tools and expertise needed to fix any draining problem without any risk of causing accidental damage. However, if you’d prefer to carry out some of the simpler maintenance on your own, then make sure to read up on as much expert advice as you can, and follow it as carefully as possible.
Before getting started on cleaning out your drains, it’s best to get everything you’re likely to need together in one place, so that all of the necessary tools will be to hand as and when they are required.
The following products may be helpful in this task:
Most of these are common household items, so it’s likely that you’ll already have a few of them lying around your cupboards somewhere. Be aware, however, that some of these items could carry a certain degree of risk, so make sure you’ve properly considered this before getting started.
For many people, pouring hot water down the plughole is likely to be their go-to drain cleaning solution; while it won’t be effective on stubborn blockages, it can work quite well as a basic maintenance step.
A quick blast of hot water will help prevent anything undesirable sticking to the inside of your drains, reducing the build-up of the fats, oil and grease that are responsible for so many blockages. However, it’s important not to expose the inside of the pipes to overly hot temperatures, especially when PVC pipes are involved, as this can do more harm than good.
Many homeowners prefer to avoid using dedicated cleaning chemicals in favour of more natural solutions, of which there are a few:
If these solutions are failing to make a difference, then chemical cleaners may be seen as a backup option. These dedicated shop-bought drain cleaning products can pack a much more significant punch than the more organic solutions above, though the potential risks of using them are greater.
Many shops sell one-shot cleaners for an instant clean, or larger quantities of less powerful cleaners that are designed to be used more frequently. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that these heavy-duty chemicals can lead to pipe corrosion; moreover, if they fail to shift the blockage and end up sitting in the pipe, they can prove dangerous to the engineers responsible for the subsequent repair work.
Keeping on top of drain maintenance should be encouraged, as it’s a vital part of keeping the drains and public sewer systems clear of any stubborn blockages. However, if an obstruction does occur, then it’s always going to be a better idea to call on the expertise of a specialist drainage service provider, rather than attempting a DIY job.
If you want to be certain that your drains are cleaned as thoroughly as possible, then give the professionals at Lanes a call. From domestic to commercial drains, our cleaning services will ensure that your normal household and working activities can continue uninterrupted, with a minimum of fuss.
Find out more about our drain cleaning services here, or call us free on 0800 526 488 to have a chat about how we can help you.