Between soaking dishes and using your garbage disposal, a clogged drain is bound to occur once in a while. The situation can often feel urgent and cause you to start cleaning your drain and de-clogging it immediately. Aside from calling a professional for assistance, there are some essential do’s and don’ts to practice when it comes to dealing with your clogged drain.

Do:

Run warm water with the disposal.

When you see a clog starting to form, start by running hot water down your drain. This can often dislodge food particles that are stuck, and when combined with the garbage disposal, it will often clear out any excess pieces that were gathering in your drain. It’s essential to use your disposal with running water every time food is in your drain.

Install a drain filter.

Drain filters catch excess food. Not only are they useful in your kitchen, but they can also be placed in showers and bathroom sinks to minimize the possibility of clogging. These filters come in different sizes and styles, but all serve the main purpose of trapping items that can lead to a clog.

Don’t:

Turn to chemicals.

Drain cleaning products are a short-term solution that can end up causing more harm than good. Most drain cleaners contain chemicals that are designed to eat away at the particles causing the clog. However, they can also eat away at your pipes and sink infrastructure, leading to more costly issues down the line. Finally, drain cleaning agents will usually only work when a drain is slow-moving and not necessarily if there is a full blockage. Always call a professional before turning to chemical drain cleaners.

Snake the drain yourself.

Using a plumbing snake on your own can cause damage to the inside of your pipes. Any small scratch you make can rust over time, weakening the structure of the pipe until it eventually bursts. Additionally, if the blockage is far down enough that you need a snake, that likely means it’s out of view. Since you can’t see what’s causing the clogging, there’s no way of knowing whether or not you cleared it properly. Rather than risking scraping your pipes or pushing the blockage deeper, call a professional for assistance. 

 

 

If you’re in need of drain cleaning, reach out to the experts at All Star Rooter, Sewer and Drain Cleaning. With over 30 years of experience, they assist clients throughout Connecticut’s Fairfield and New Haven counties with everything from drain services and clogged toilets to video sewer inspections and pipe cleaning with water jetting. Visit them online to learn more about their services or call (203) 286-4498 to schedule an appointment today!