5 Tips to Prevent your Shower Drains from Blocking
Posted on: 15 March 2019
You can come home looking forward to a hot shower or soak in the tub only to notice that the water isn't running down the drain. This could mean that your drain is blocked. A drain clog or blockage can be a terrible inconvenience. It is unhygienic and can cause a foul smell due to accumulated waste water. By keeping the following tips in mind, you can prevent your shower from backing up and eventually blocking.
Use a Drain Strainer or Cover
Some drains come already installed with a garbage disposal unit. However, if you do not have this unit, you still have to prevent scraps and particles from going down the drain and causing eventual blockages. Visit your local hardware store and purchase a strainer that fits the drain to collect these particles. Things like hair are also very bad for your drain. A drain cover is an inexpensive solution which can trap hair and other solid waste, letting the water flow freely. You must, however, clean the strainer and remove the waste that has collected on a regular basis.
Cautious Use of Cold Water
It is important to use lot of cold water down your drain, as opposed to always using hot water. Unlike hot water, cold water keeps the waste greases and oils solid, ensuring that they are easily broken up by the disposal. Hot water is best used after running of the disposal mechanisms.
Extremely Hot Water
Hot water used sparingly is very beneficial for your bathroom drain. The water has to be hotter than your average hot water you use to shower. Extra-hot water will help in the removal of grease strains that could have formed on the walls of the drainage system.
Avoid Grease and Oil
Among the most notorious causes of blocked drains are grease and oils. These can come from scented body oils and massage oils. While it is tempting to rinse them off in the convenience of your shower, they can cause blocked drains and eventually result in very expensive plumbing costs. You should also avoid pouring any other form of oil or grease down the shower drain. Instead, use a jar and empty it appropriately when full.
Constantly Flush your Drains
While low-flow faucets and showers are good for water conservation, they are not good when it comes to keeping the drains clear. The low water volume fails to successfully drain away debris, causing it to pile up in your drain. The solution is to flush the pipes with very large flows of water. Pour a lot of water down the drain. Another method of flushing the drain is by pouring baking soda down the shower drain at intervals, followed by vinegar.
One of the most effective ways of solving the problem of blocked drains is preventing their occurrence in the first place. One important practice is proper maintenance and monitoring of what goes in the drain. However, if your shower drain is already blocked, avoid the embarrassment and strain by calling your local plumber for the professional service of unblocking your drain.
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