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What Do Plumbers Recommend To Keep Drains Clean?
While gazing at a clogged drain or leaky pipe, people sometimes wish they had a plumber friend they could contact for free assistance and resolve the issue without paying a dime. Although you might not have an emergency plumber friend, you have this comprehensive guide that will give you information about what plumbers recommend to keep drains clean.
This blog talks about what homeowners can do to prevent, clean, and remove clogged drain lines. Read this expert plumbing advice!
Do Not Use Chemical Cleaners!
First and foremost, plumbers do not recommend using any chemical cleaners on your drain lines since they can damage your pipes. If you have a clog, try to clear it by plunging or snaking the drain. According to the facts, most chemical drain cleaners cause more problems than not.
Some react with aluminum, emitting harmful gases. Others solidify inside pipes, making the removal difficult, or combine with other home cleaners, causing the combination to burst out of the drain. Crystal Chemical drain cleaners are hazardous and can harm your pipes, garbage disposal, and septic system.
Liquid, foam, and gel cleaners may also cause pipe damage and are often ineffective, requiring at least 30 minutes to break a clog. A few bio-clean products are also available for use. Although some of them are less effective at removing the clog, they can help keep the drain clean after clearing the clogs.
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What You May Do to Unclog Your Drain - Here Are Some Plumber Recommendations
Here’s what an expert plumber may recommend -
- Bathroom Sink and Tub Drains
According to plumbers, toothpaste and long hair are the leading causes of bathroom sink blockages. They recommend filling the basin with hot water and flushing the drain out to clear it if you have a clog in your bathroom sink or tub. If it fails, you can plunge the drain, use a snake, or personally remove the clog if possible.
- Kitchen Drains
Plumbers recommend using hot water and dish soap to loosen and clear a clog in your kitchen drain. To soften the clog, pour extremely hot water down the drain, followed by grease-dissolving dish detergent.
If the blockage persists, use a kitchen plunger and run hot water and dish soap through the pipes again.
You may also try pouring a foamy combination of mixed baking soda and vinegar down the drain to remove blockages naturally without damaging the pipes. However, if the clog is significant, call the professionals for kitchen drain cleaning.
- Toilets
Only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Anything else is likely too huge, will not biodegrade, and may become clogged in the pipes. Nothing is worse than a clogged toilet. If plunging and snaking the toilet does not clear the clog, it may be time to call a plumber.
How to Keep Your Drains Clean?
Here’s how to keep your drains clean -
- Clean Your Drains Once a Week
Remove the pop-up stopper from your bathroom sink, clean the drain, and rinse the stopper before reinserting it. Pull out the drain stopper from your shower or tub drain and clean it using a bent wire or a hair-catching brush.
- Flush Your Drains Weekly
Flush each drain with boiling water to dissolve soap scum, grease, and residue - once a month. After showers or heavy use, pour hot (not boiling) water down the drain to help prevent buildup and eliminate lingering odors.
- Thoroughly Clean Your Tub Drain Once a Month
Remove the overflow plate and elevate the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Also, remove any hair or debris and thoroughly rinse the pop-up assembly before reinstalling it.
- Use a Bacterial Drain Cleaner Once a Month
Bacterial drain cleaners, unlike chemical drain cleaners, are biodegradable and non-corrosive, so they won’t harm your pipes. Preventing sink, tub, and shower clogs before they happen is the most effective approach to keeping drains clean year-round. All that is required is periodic cleaning and upkeep.
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Plumber Pro Tip For A Clog-Free Home!
If you want to keep your drain all cleaned up, you don’t always have to invest a fortune. You can pick a few simple tools and some handy routines to avoid common clogs and maintain smooth water flow.
These are some plumber-approved tips that are easy to follow and can save you from costly repairs later!
- Use mesh drain covers to catch hair, soap scum, and food particles and do not let them enter the drain.
- Flush low-use drains, especially basements, to prevent sewer gas odors and stagnation.
- Avoid coffee grounds, as they clump inside pipes and form stubborn blockages.
- Freezing vinegar in cubes helps clean your garbage disposal naturally.
Still stuck? Call an emergency plumber before the damage overwhelms the entire drainage system!
Smart Drain Habits To Keep Them Clean
It’s not always what you do, it’s also about what you don’t do to keep your plumbing in shape. Small, mindful choices can dramatically reduce the chances of clogs, leaks, and odors.
Here are 6 simple but effective do’s and don’ts that professionals recommend -
| Do This | Not That |
| Use hot water with dish soap weekly | Pour grease or oil down your kitchen sink |
| Install hair traps in bathroom and tub drains | Let long hair and soap scum collect |
| Use monthly enzyme or bacterial drain cleaners | Rely on harsh chemicals to clean your drains |
| Flush only toilet paper | Flush wipes, cotton pads, or hygiene products |
| Clean pop-up stoppers and drain guards regularly | Ignore debris buildup in sinks and tubs |
| Pour lemon juice and baking soda to freshen drains | Mask odor with air fresheners, instead of treating the cause |
Monthly Drain Maintenance Checklist
- Clean bathroom sink stoppers and get rid of any trapped debris
- Pull out and clean hair traps in shower and tub drains
- Pour hot water down each household drain to flush buildup
- Use a non-corrosive, bacterial drain cleaner to prevent clogs
- Check for slow-draining sinks, tubs, or gurgling sounds
- Inspect under-sink pipes for signs of leaks or corrosion
- Deodorize drains using lemon juice and baking soda mix
- Clean garbage disposal blades with ice and citrus peels
- Avoid pouring grease or food scraps down kitchen drains
- Run cold water 30 seconds before and after disposal use
- Wipe down the drain rims to prevent grime and bacteria buildup
- Check the overflow holes in sinks and tubs for blockages
- Clean P-traps under sinks if you’re handy
- Look for signs of mildew or mold near drain areas
- Schedule a professional inspection annually for older plumbing
Read More About:
- Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking: What’s the Best Fix for Your Drain Problems?
- Detect Hidden Drain Issues with Video Camera Inspections
- Toilet Clog or Sewer Line Issue? Here’s How to Know for Sure
- Which Sewer Repair Works Best? Pipe Lining vs. Pipe Bursting
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Drain Flowing
Well, your home’s plumbing system works hard for you every day. At the very least, you can ensure they remain functional, allowing them to perform their job properly. The best way is to ask your plumbing contractors about some tips and tricks to keep your drain working fine.
Also, create a checklist and list down some dos and don’ts to avoid any drain-damaging mistakes. Remember, taking care of the drain saves money, stress, and property damage. But if you’ve done it all and still face clogs, call your nearby plumbers to get the problem fixed - fast and professionally!
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Need Help With Plumbing Or Drainage Issues? Call Preferred Plumbing And Drain For Help!
Preferred Plumbing and Drain offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services across Northern California, As trusted plumbers in Stockton, we are responsive, fast, reliable, and offer transparent pricing with a whopping 97% customer satisfaction. No wonder our customers love us!
In addition to drain issues, we take care of your sewer line, water heater, gas line, toilet, faucet, fixture, etc. We have 20 years of experience in the industry and we are licensed, insured, and bonded, which means you can rest assured that your plumbing and drainage are in good hands. Call us at 800-414-0340 to get a free quote!
Bryan Graves has been in the plumbing and drain cleaning industry since 1989, starting as a service technician. He served as Vice President to the CEO until 2006, which is when he started his own business, Preferred Plumbing & Drain. For the past 19 years, he has kept a 97% customer satisfaction rating by making sure every customer of Preferred Plumbing & Drain is happy enough to recommend us to others. When Bryan is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, going boating, and watching sports.