Not only are clogged drains inconvenient, they can also lead to costly problems if not handled promptly. So next time you find yourself standing ankle-deep in sudsy shower water or staring down into a clogged kitchen sink, remember that you could have avoided the problem by following these 5 easy steps for preventing clogged drains in Los Angeles.
Use the Garbage Disposal Sparingly.
Your garbage disposal isn’t magic. It can’t make everything disappear! Only biodegradable food scraps should be put down the garbage disposal. That means no paper or plastic, and no bones. You should also avoid putting lots of fibrous material like celery stalks or onion skins down the disposal, because these can tangle up your blades and cause a clog. Grease and fat should also be avoided. If you must put grease or fat down the drain, first allow them to solidify. Then put them down a little at a time using cold water. Never use hot water—liquefied fat or grease will only solidify further on down the pipe.
Keep Hair Out of Drains.
Hair, especially long hair, is a frequent culprit behind clogged drains in Los Angeles. Hair can resist many common drain-clearing chemicals, and it easily tangles into balls that trap soap scum and make drain clogs even worse. Whenever possible, wipe up hair and throw it in the trash rather then pushing it down the drain. You can also buy a plastic mesh covering to place over your tub or sink drain to catch excess hair.
Clean Sink Traps Regularly.
Sinks feature U-shaped bends in the pipes that can trap foreign objects like hair and prevent them from traveling further down the pipe. If you keep your sink traps clean, you can prevent the likelihood of severe clogs developing in hard-to-reach parts of your sewer system. Simply place a bucket under the sink trap, unscrew the pipe, and remove whatever material has accumulated. This is also a good trick for times when you lose something important down the sink drain, like an earring or a ring.
Watch What you Flush.
While many new toilets are powerful enough to flush marbles, we don’t recommend that you try this at home. Avoid putting anything down the toilet besides waste and toilet paper. If you have young children, you need to supervise them and keep them from flushing toys or other objects down the toilet. You should also stop using the toilet as a funeral service for dead fish or a receptacle for used feminine products.
Get Your Septic Tank Pumped.
If you have a septic tank, you need to schedule regular maintenance and make sure it gets pumped before it overflows. You can help reduce the frequency of pump-outs by limiting the amount of paper you put down the toilet.
Some causes of clogged drains in Los Angeles just can’t be helped. For example, you might suffer from invasive tree roots or a poorly installed venting system. However, following these 5 tips will help you reduce the likelihood of drain problems!
