How often do you think about the drains in your home? If your answer is anything other than “never”, this blog is for you. We don’t tend to think about drains on the day to day. Only when there is a problem, do most of us look at our drains, frustrated and perplexed. We don’t pay much attention until our showers have pooling water, our sinks are flooding, and our toilets won’t flush.
And, when it comes to your home, you want consistently smooth running sinks, showers, and toilets. So, we are here to educate you on how to prevent clogs in the future, and how to handle your current clog. But, first thing first—what not to put down your drains.
Drain Don’ts
There are many potential causes of a clogged drain, all differing based on where your affected drain is located.
Drain Don’ts For Your Kitchen
Even though the word has “garbage” in it, your kitchen garbage disposal should not be used as one. Misusing your garbage disposal will lead to pooling wastewater in your kitchen sink, as water will be unable to pass through obstructions created by incompatible foods going down your drain. We have made a list of food to keep out of your kitchen sink, so you can avoid a kitchen clog.
Place the following in the trash, not your kitchen sink:
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Fibrous foods
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Coffee grounds
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Eggshells
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Fish, meat, or chicken bones
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Fruit or vegetable pit
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Grease, oil, and fat.
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Starches that will expand, such as rice or pasta
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Vegetables and fruit peels
If your kitchen sink is already experiencing slow drainage, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Never put your hand down your garbage disposal, as its sharp blades can seriously harm you.
Drain Dont’s For Your Bathroom
I bet you already can guess the number one clog-causer in here. Yup, you guessed it—hair. Believe it or not, the length of a person’s hair is not a factor here. Any hair, short or long, going down a bathroom drain can clump together and form into large obstructions. So, stop shaving and brushing your hair in the shower or over your sink.
The best way to keep your bathroom sink and shower running efficiently is with routine drain maintenance. It is near impossible to prevent any hair from washing down your drain, but hydro jetting will ensure your drains are in tip-top shape and that they stay that way.
If your shower is already forming puddles at your feet, or if your sink is already filling with water every time you wash your hands, reach out to a professional plumber to remove the blockage. Hair travels quickly through your pipes and can cause additional blockages in other drain lines.
Drain Don’ts For Your Toilet
No one, and we mean no one, likes to deal with a clogged toilet. So keep the following out of your toilet bowl:
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Baby Wipes
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Dental Floss
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Feminine Products
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Foreign Objects
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Hair
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Pills
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Q-Tips/Cotton Balls
If you do have a clog that is unresponsive to traditional plunging, contact us, here at Steve’s Plumbing. We will take away your toilet troubles with repair or replacement.
Hydro Jetting Logistics
Most people do not know what hydro jetting is, let alone how it works, so we are here to let you in on the secret. A hydro jetter is a hose-like tool that uses pressurized water to remove clogs and clean pipes.
Hydro jetting is a two-step process. First, we restore water flow to the affected pipe by flushing out the clog. Then, we clear out any remaining grime with a second tool and increasing water power. This prevents future blockages by establishing a squeaky-clean environment. Without any grease and grime, particles will have less to grab onto; hence, reducing the chances your clog reoccurs.
Hydro jetting is the most effective, and efficient, way to address any drain clog.
Benefits of Hydro Jetting
Save Money
When that utility bill comes in the mail, we all groan a little and begrudgingly pay up. But, when your pipes are clogged or dirty, you are actually paying more than you would if they were clean. Dirty, or blocked pipes, restrict water flow, causing you to increase water use to make up for the lack of supply. This spikes your utility bill way up. Hence, participating in annual hydro jetting will save you money in the long run, as your water flow efficiency will be at the top of its game.
Prevent Replacement
Scheduling routine hydro jetting will prolong the lifespan of your piping and prevent detrimental, irreparable damage from occurring. Why replace when you can repair. When pipes are unmaintained, they begin to form larger clogs that can break or crack your piping. With habitual hydro jetting, you will be able to keep your piping in its prime long beyond its years.
Positive Environmental Impact
Hydro jetting is a chemical-free drain cleaning process! It is 100% safe for the environment and your water supply. Traditional drain cleaning methods are highly toxic, so choose hydro jetting. It’s environmentally friendly!
For your hydro jetting appointment, call Steve’s Plumbing, at (425) 979-7376. Your home deserves the best—choose hydro jetting.