Tips to Preventing Blocked Drains

Not only are clogged drains annoying, they are also messy to clean up and can be a hassle to fix. There are several ways to fix blocked drain pipes, but the best thing to do is prevent the problem before it happens. There are several small things you can do that will keep water running smoothly through your pipes without any problems.

• Do not pour grease down your drain. Instead, pour it into used cans. Grease poured into drains will settle along the sides, causing food to stick to it, and potentially clog your pipes.


• If your sink is equipped with a garbage disposal, make sure that you flush it out. Allow cold water to flow through the pipes to wash away any food particles left behind.


• Once a week or so, boil water and pour it directly into the sink. Remove all the pop-up stoppers and regular stoppers and scrub them clean. This is one of the most often places you will find food and hair buildups in sinks.


• Install drain screens or strainers over all the drains to prevent things such as hair, soap and bits of food from entering your pipes. Make sure that you keep the strainers and screens clean.


• Learn to recognized an oncoming blockage. When water begins to drain slowly, you know that your pipes are starting to become blocked. Use a plunger to dislodge the clog before it becomes a serious problem.