Clogged drains are one of the most common problems with kitchen sinks. However, there are several steps you can take to avoid that issue occurring. Mostly, it involves being careful about what you put down your kitchen sink. Your drains tend to be forgotten about until there’s a problem, but good habits and consistent maintenance can help keep your system functioning smoothly and save you money on repairs. Clogs can happen at any time and if you feel like you need the services of a professional plumber, you can call one of our expert technicians at Sewer & Septic Specialist at 217.855.5622. When you want to avoid the expense, however, we advise following these 4 simple steps to prevent clogs from happening in the first place.
Use Your Garbage Disposal Properly
It’s important to use your garbage disposal properly, the way it was intended. A good practice is disposing of most food in your garbage can instead and regularly cleaning your disposal to eliminate odors and prevent food residue from accumulating in your drain pipes. Sometimes it’s easy to rely on your disposal too much, but there are several things that you should not put down into your garbage disposal because they can lead to clogs. That list includes:
- Coffee Grounds
- Eggshells
- Meat and Bones
- Fruit and Vegetable Peels
- Pasta and Rice
- Harsh Chemicals and Paint
Use a Drain Trap or Strainer
Another simple and inexpensive option for preventing clogs is to use a drain trap or strainer at your kitchen sink. Liquids will pass through it and go down the drain, while solids will be caught by the trap and prevented from entering the drain. Then you can simply remove the trap and empty the debris in your trash can. This will easily help prevent clogs from occurring. You can find a drain trap or strainer in any home improvement store and the cost you incur will easily and quickly pay for itself because you’ll save money on expensive repairs or plumbing services.
Don’t Pour Grease & Food Scraps Down Your Kitchen Sink
The best way to keep your kitchen drain from clogging is to limit what goes down it and some substances should never be poured down your drain. Grease and cooking oils will bond with other solid food waste and can form large clogs quickly. It is best when cooking to collect the grease in a jar or can and dispose of it in your trash can instead. As for other food scraps, always scrape off your plate over your trash can and deposit the larger amounts of food there. Then you can rinse off your dish and expect that the small bits of food will easily go down the drain and not clog it up.
Rinse Drains with Hot Water & Use Natural Cleaners
Another good practice is to consistently run hot water down your kitchen drain. This helps dislodge any small food particles that might be stuck. Try pouring hot water down your drains once a week to help prevent clogs and buildup in your pipes. Also, it is important to buy the right kind of cleaners that don’t have harsh chemicals which can be harmful to your pipes. You can also try some natural products instead, like vinegar and baking soda. Both will clean your pipes and absorb odor, leaving your kitchen sink smelling fresh and functioning properly.
Contact Our Professionals for Further Help
If you follow these 4 easy steps, you should be able to avoid clogs in your kitchen sink, but if a blockage still occurs, don’t stress. You can contact our experts at Sewer & Septic Specialist in Lincoln, IL, and we’ll happily come to your home to fix your plumbing problem. We will provide you with the best sewer and septic services to get your home functioning again. When you work with us, your satisfaction is guaranteed.
