Unsurprisingly, a clogged drain is the most common issue that plumbers are contacted for. Whether blocked by a foreign object or backed up from food residue, clogged drains are common, but they are also a huge nuisance. According to G&C Plumbing and Heating, a great company that offers drain cleaning services in Franklin, MA, a clogged drain does not go away on its own, and it gets worse as time passes. So, if you ever neglect a backed-up drain problem, you could be facing some serious plumbing repairs and hefty bills down the line.

Every homes’ plumbing system is as essential to the well-being of the people living in it as the arteries and veins are to the human body. And just as the age-old adage goes for your health, it applies wholly to your home. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Keeping your drains free from clogs starts before a clog develops. Using these simple preventative measures can keep your home as clog-free as humanly possible.

1. Use strainers and drain stops where possible: Keeping large chunks of food, debris, hair, and other substances from going down the drain are the best way to ensure that your plumbing remains clog-free.
2. Make sure to clean and maintain the sink strainers and drain stoppers regularly: Debris can become stuck beneath the strainer in your shower. Become accustomed to clearing them after every use.
3. Make sure that the food items going down the disposer are disposer friendly items: Keep all expandable starches such as rice and pasta from your garbage disposal unit along with hard items such as onion skins and corn husks. Grease, oil, and fats should not be disposed of in the garbage disposal unit either. These products will easily accumulate in your drain and, when solidified, cause unsightly plumbing backups.
4. Feminine Products – Take extra care to ensure that the items you are flushing are biodegradable and allowable to flush. Read the labels on the back of the items and double-check that they can go down the toilet. If not, or when in doubt, you’re better off tossing them in the trash.
5. Make sure to instruct all household members to be wary of the possibility of drain clogs: Ensuring that children and other family members don’t throw things down the toilet or drain is a necessary measure to ensure clog-free plumbing.

Although the most careful preventative measures can help to ensure less problematic plumbing, no plan is ever safe proof, and clogs can still occur. Should you find yourself with a backed-up drain or a clogged sink, there are a couple of different things that you can try to get your drains unclogged, or you can hire a professional from the beginning to do it for you.

Here are the best options to clear a clogged drain in your home

1. Use baking soda and vinegar

Pour an equal mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drain and let sit for a few hours before rinsing with hot water. The chemical reaction of these products may be able to disintegrate what’s clogging your plumbing.

2. Make use of your home plunger

This common and useful tool can work on certain types of clogs. For sinks, you’ll want to ensure that the overflow is plugged before attempting to plunge the drain.

3. Chemical Products

Many home chemical products are readily available to assist in drain clearing. Make sure to read the label and follow the instructions precisely when using chemicals in your home.

4. Check your traps

Plumbing traps in newer homes are often located just below the drain area under the sink. They are easily accessible, and sometimes you can remove the clog through the opening in the trap. Make sure to place a bucket or other reservoir item below the pipe to catch any remaining fluids that may seep out.

5. Snake your drain

Plumbing snakes are effective tools that you can use to clear a clogged drain and they are available in different lengths. Plumbing snakes are used to “snake” through your plumbing and remove any obtrusions that may be present further down your pipes, causing clogs.

6. Call your local plumber

Always remember that not every repair can be seen as a do-it-yourself home repair. If you have tried all the solutions mentioned above and they did not work for you, then it is time to bring in the professionals. Professional plumbers have the tools and experience to fix any plumbing problem or clog you have.

Just as you would call your local physician if something were ailing you, a licensed and professional plumber will be able to detect and repair your problem.

Conclusion

Though plumbing isn’t something that is readily seen, it is most definitely a crucial part of our everyday lives. Being aware of its purpose and use and the ways to prevent problematic issues is a great way to combat the dreaded clogged drain.