4 Tips to Keep Your Drains Running Clear

October is the month when ghouls may play tricks on unsuspecting homeowners, but clogged drains are certainly not a treat for your family or any other goblins living in your house.

The Brooklyn plumbing experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning warn that there are a number of common culprits like cooking grease, hair, coffee grounds and food debris that can clog your drains.

Here are some tips to keep your drains emptying as quickly as possible:

1. Flush your drains with hot water and oil-busting dish soap

Hot water makes grease in food and other products melt and exit down your drains quickly. By adding in a dish soap known to combat oily residue, you can help dissolve grease and prevent it from building up.

2. Install sink strainers

These relatively cheap items can be picked up at any hardware store and save you a lot of time having to clear your drains of daily food, hair and other debris. Simply slip one in the drain and empty it into the trash after taking a shower or washing dishes.

3. Create a baking soda and vinegar volcano in the drain

This kid’s science experiment also works to keep drains clean without resorting to toxic chemicals that can damage your pipes. Simply toss half a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it with half a cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture bubble and then flush it with hot water. This will also deodorize your drains and keep them from smelling bad.

4. Dump grease into the trash

Instead of pouring grease directly down the drain, throw it out in the trash. If it is too hot, you may consider pouring it into an empty tin can and then tossing the whole thing into the garbage once the grease has congealed. Other items that shouldn’t go down your drain include coffee grounds, eggshells and fruit peels. Either grind those items up in a garbage disposal, create a compost pile in your yard or throw them away.

But, sometimes, no matter what we do to prevent clogs, the drain monsters stop them up until it’s time to call in the professionals. At Petri, we are trained to evaluate your whole system and have the equipment to locate even the most dastardly clogs hiding deep within the pipes.

If you’ve tried to keep your drains clear but still have a stubborn clog, call us and we’ll soon have your drains running smoothly. Treat yourself to clean drains today!