How to Maintain Your Drains & Keep Your Plumbing Healthy

If you’re dealing with plumbing problems, clogs, or smelly drains, regular drain maintenance can help. Staying proactive about your drains directly impacts the health of your plumbing.

The professional Brooklyn plumbers at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning can help with professional drain cleaning, sewer inspections and repairs.

We also have expert tips for drain maintenance and hygiene to make the most of your plumbing. Keep reading to learn more or simply give our Brooklyn drain cleaning pros a call today!

How Does Drain Maintenance and Hygiene Affect Plumbing?

With all the activity that goes on in your house, your plumbing and drainage systems are under a lot of ongoing stress. They play a significant role in the kitchen, in the laundry room, and in the bathroom, and a clog can occur at any given moment.

Are you experiencing multiple clogs throughout your home? If you neglect one area of your home and develop a clog, you may find that it impacts other drains in your home. Or you may discover that the clog is getting pushed farther into your system and now have an issue with your sewer line. It’s crucial to maintain good plumbing hygiene to protect your system.

Brooklyn Drain Maintenance Tips

Proper drain maintenance in Brooklyn is key to ensuring efficient drainage and avoiding plumbing issues. Here’s how you can keep your drains running smoothly:

• Regular Inspections: Periodic check-ups can catch and fix small issues before they become major problems.
• Educate Household Members: Ensure everyone in your home knows what should and should not go down the drains.
• Avoid ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’: Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it won’t cause problems.
• Water Only: The most effective way to maintain your drains is to let only water flow through them. Introducing other liquids or materials can lead to blockages and may require professional plumbing services.
• Use a Drain Screen: Many overlook the importance of a drain screen when washing dishes. A drain screen:
  • Allows water to pass while catching solid particles.
  • Helps prevent food and other materials from entering the drain, reducing the risk of clogs.

Implementing these simple practices can significantly extend the life of your drains and minimize the need for repairs.

Here are some other proactive solutions you can take to take care of your drains and protect your plumbing throughout various rooms in your home!

Kitchen Drains

Keeping your kitchen drains clear is crucial to prevent clogs and maintain a smooth-running plumbing system. Here are some tips to avoid blockages in your kitchen sink, disposal, and dishwasher:

• Be Mindful of What Goes Down: Fats, grease, and certain foods like banana peels, celery, and potato peels are tough on your plumbing. They should be disposed of in the trash, not the sink.
• Avoid Grease in Drains: Pouring animal fats or cooking oils down the drain is a common mistake. These substances solidify upon cooling and can cause significant blockages.
• Proper Disposal of Fats: Instead of washing fats down the drain, let them cool, then pour into a disposable container and throw it in the trash.
• Use Strainers: Install strainers in your sink to catch food particles and debris.
• Run Cold Water with Disposal: When using the garbage disposal, run cold water to help solidify fats and oils, making them easier to grind and flush down the main line.
• Avoid Coffee Grounds and Eggshells: These can accumulate and cause blockages, so it’s better to dispose of them in compost or trash.
• Hot Water Doesn’t Prevent Clogs: Running hot water while disposing of fat may seem effective, but over time, fat will still accumulate and clog the pipes.
• Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean your sink and disposal to prevent residue build-up.
• Biodegradable Cleaners: Use biodegradable cleaning agents that won’t harm your plumbing or the environment.

Laundry Room Drains

Washing machines also have a filter and drainage system that require professional checkups to clear any dirt, lint, and other materials. It’s essential to watch what you’re putting into your washing machine in the first place. Excessive amounts of grease, grime, and other chemicals on clothes can cause damage to your drainage system. Rinse your dirtiest items first before running them through the wash cycle.

Remember these tips:

• Monitor Washing Machine Filters: Regular professional checks can clear out lint, dirt, and other debris from your washing machine’s filter and drainage system.
• Pre-Rinse Dirty Clothes: Excessive grease, grime, and chemicals on clothes can harm your drainage system. Rinse heavily soiled items before putting them in the wash.
• Use Appropriate Detergents: Opt for detergents that are suitable for your washing machine type to prevent soap build-up in the drains.

Bathroom Drains

Bathroom plumbing is a culprit for ongoing clogs. The best thing you can do is stop for a second and think about what you are about to send down the drain.

• Be Mindful of What Goes Down: Think before you flush or drain anything. Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
• Clear Hair Regularly: Remove hair from tub and shower drains frequently to prevent blockages.
• Avoid “Flushable” Wipes: Even if wipes are labeled as flushable, they can take a long time to break down and potentially clog your plumbing.

Get Professional Drain Cleaning in Brooklyn Today!

Clogs can happen, no matter how careful you are. They might seem like a cheap and easy solution, but repeatedly using drain cleaners can damage your pipes and hurt the environment. Consider calling the professionals at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning. We can clean your drains and handle any needed repairs!

Whether for an emergency or for regular drain maintenance, you can call the experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning to make sure your drains are in good working order. If you have a problem, give us a call to discuss our drain cleaning services!