A clogged sewer drain can be an inconvenient and expensive problem for any homeowner. Unfortunately, clogged drains are common and can happen at any time. If you’re experiencing clogged drains, there are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening again. However, it’s essential that you understand how your sewer system works and how to take care of your pipes to avoid needing repairs in the future. Luckily, many of these tips involve changing your habits rather than performing complex maintenance tasks on your pipes. Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer situation or an experienced homeowner, everyone needs to know how their home’s sewer system works in order to prevent and fix problems before they become serious. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of sewer systems so you can better understand how to take care of your home’s drains to avoid a clog in the future.
One of the easiest ways to avoid clogged drains is to reduce the amount of water you use in your household. This will help prevent backups and clogged pipes in the future. You can also reduce your water usage by choosing low-flow toilets, taking shorter showers, and running your appliances and water features less frequently. Another thing to keep in mind is that every time you flush your toilet it causes a pressure change in your sewer lines that could end up clogging your drains.
If you’re experiencing clogged drains, the first thing you should do is inspect your sewer line for a trap. A trap is a device that traps any sewer debris (such as food scraps and hair) and prevents it from clogging your pipes. If you don’t have a trap in your home’s sewer line, you’ll need to install one using the instructions provided by your utility company and your city. Make sure to clean out your trap regularly to prevent it from becoming clogged.
While you’re taking care of your trap, it’s also a good idea to make sure your pipes are clean, dry, and unobstructed. If your home has basements or crawl spaces, it’s especially important to make sure your drains are clean and dry and that there aren’t any obstacles blocking the flow of water in and out of your pipes. This can help prevent your drains from becoming clogged and can also keep your crawl space dry and free of pests that might otherwise thrive in damp, moist conditions.
Another way to prevent clogged drains in your home is to clean out your pipes regularly. This means you’ll need to inspect your drains at least once a year, but it’s a good idea to do so more often if you notice signs of buildup or if you make a change in your household that could potentially clog your drains (like switching to a more water-intensive household). To clean out your drains, you can use a snake or an auger to manually unclog or remove buildup from your pipes. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to perform this work for you.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember that you don’t have to avoid cleaning up messy spills in your home’s drains. If you have a clogged drain and need to clean out your pipes, you can use a plunger or a scoop to remove any debris, dirt, and other matter that might be clogging your pipes. If you’re dealing with a serious clog, you can temporarily access your sewer line using a sewer auger to help you remove the debris blocking your pipes. If you have a serious clog in your pipes, it’s important to hire a plumber to unclog your drains. You can also try using a sewer-cleaning solution to help loosen the debris blocking your pipes and hopefully help you remove the clog.
Congratulations! Now you know everything you need to know about how to take care of your home’s drains to prevent clogged drains. Keep in mind that these tips don’t require a lot of money or time. All you have to do is take some time to learn about your home’s plumbing system and how to properly take care of your pipes to prevent clogged drains in the future.