No one notices a neglected drain until you get the first whiff of that unidentifiable smell, or when it takes more than a few seconds to drain the water after you brush your teeth. You can avoid the panic and annoyance of a smelly or slow drain with these preventative tips.
Not everything should go down a drain. You may think “out of sight, out of mind.” But not everything can be easily washed away. Here’s a list of items that should never go down a drain:
- Bacon or other cooking greases – save the grease in a small carton or container until it hardens and then throw it away in the trash.
- Coffee grounds – old grounds can be thrown away, composted, upcycled into a skin exfoliant, or used as mulch in your garden.
- Hair – limit the amount of hair that goes down your drain by using a strainer or filter over the shower or bath drains.
- Feminine hygiene products and baby wipes – remind your family and guests that toilet paper and human waste are the only two things that should be flushed in your toilet.
Freshen up with baking soda and vinegar.
Even with the most exceptional care and precaution, your drains will eventually start to smell. To prevent any foul odor from creeping in, you may consider using a cleaning agent to flush out organic build-up in your pipes. Sprinkle some baking soda down your drains every week to keep things fresh. Additionally, every month you should pour a cup of vinegar down your drain, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then chase it with hot water.
Replace old pipes.
If you can’t seem to get rid of the smell or the clogs, call us – we can help. And if your pipes are leaking, call us as soon as possible as it may be time for a replacement. The sooner you take care of leaky pipes, the better.
We’re happy to help in any way we can. If you have any questions about the regular maintenance of your pipes or pipe replacement options, please contact us at 770-451-6765.
