Prevention is better than cure, so the saying goes, the best way to stop falling foul to a clogged or blocked drains is to be careful what you put down them.
Some of the main culprits are cooking oil, coffee granules, hair, vegetable peels and soap scum. With these running down the drain it’s only a matter of time before it turns into a blockage. Regular cleaning also has its advantages for preventing clogged or blocked drains and there are some simple methods that can also be carried out periodically.
Dewar Plumbers Simple Tips for Avoiding Blocked Drains:
- Save cooking oil in an old coffee can or cardboard milk container and dispose of it in the trash.
- Get a small organic waste bin and put it under your sink.
- Throw coffee grounds away in the organic waste bin with other food waste or add them to your compost pile.
- Use a screen or drain grate to cover the drain’s opening and minimise problems with hair, vegetable peels, and soap scum. Your local hardware, plumbing supply store should be able to recommend the right type for your particular sink. Most filters and screens can be simply laid in place. B&Q, Woodies, Atlantic Homecare have a large range of drain grates.
Dewar Plumbers Simple Tips for Periodical Cleaning:
- Run hot water through the sink after each use. Hot water keeps oils in food products running down the drain, instead of building up inside surface pipes, a sure fire way to prevent blocked drains.
- A handful of baking soda along with hot water is also a great cleaning agent, and great for absorbing drain odors.
- Vinegar works wonders for cleaning and unblocking drains. It contains acetic acid which acts as an organic solvent, removing biological build-up in pipes. Pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes; then rinse it through with very hot water.
DIY (do it yourself) Unblocking:
- If your drains are getting blocked up is a regular occurrence at your home or business.
- Then try this on your drains, sinks, showers, and baths, just before going to bed.
- If you allow it to work through the night it will give it more time to get the job done.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup each of baking soda, salt, and vinegar.
- A couple of pints of boiling water.
- Gloves and Goggles.
Method:
- Pour the salt and the baking soda into the drain.
- Add the vinegar and let the solution start foam for about a minute.
- Then continue to pour at least 8 pints of boiling water down the drain after the solution.
If you have tried this and you still cannot unblock the sink or drain the why not give us a call here at Dewar Dublin Plumbers, our team of plumbing and drain specialists are on hand to deal with any problem quickly and effectively. Call today on 01 514 3300.
