Use Preventive Measures To Avoid Clogged Drains by Art Gib
At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to have to deal with is a backed up toilet pouring dirty germ-filled water all over the bathroom floor! Clogged drains happen to everyone, of course, but so many of them can be avoided by using some simple preventive measures.
-- Teach children over and over that drains are not receptacles for toys, nor are they garbage cans. Even when children have outgrown the stage where they are likely to throw shoes and playthings in the toilet bowl, they may still not understand that too much toilet paper may clog it as well. Show them how much toilet paper is appropriate to use for each flush; if they feel the need to use more paper, they should flush the first bit first, then do a second flush if necessary.
-- Garbage disposals are wonderful things, but they are efficient at grinding up every type of food we may be tempted to throw into them. Large amounts of pasta (such as spaghetti), peelings from carrots or potatoes, stringy vegetables such as celery stalks, and egg shells are not meant to be put down disposals. The blades are simply incapable of churning these types of foods correctly, causing water to back up into the sink. Correcting such a mishap usually involves having to get into the pipes, and it is much better to avoid it in the first place.
-- Cooking grease is not meant to be put down drains at all. Make sure to keep empty soup or other cans available and drain pots and pan into the can instead of down the drain. If you absolutely must put grease down the drain, make sure to follow it with piping hot water for several minutes afterwards.
-- Drain screens are extremely helpful gadgets for preventing hair clogs in bathtubs and showers, but they are by no means a panacea. Even drain screens require some regular maintenance to prevent clogs from forming. Over time, hair can filter down through the screens and become lodged directly underneath. Take the time to remove drain screens and clear out any hair that may have accumulated at the top of the pipes: every few months or so should do it. If your drain begins to slow down, that is a sign, and you'll want to clean under the screen without delay before the problem worsens.
Harsh chemicals are tough on pipes and bad for the environment and should be avoided altogether. If you do get a clog and need your drain cleaned correctly, make sure to call a plumbing professional so that it is done right the first time.
Zoom Plumbing (http://www.zoomplumbingatlanta.com) is a professional 24-hour plumbing company that performs Atlanta, GA drain cleaning and plumbing services. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory
At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to have to deal with is a backed up toilet pouring dirty germ-filled water all over the bathroom floor! Clogged drains happen to everyone, of course, but so many of them can be avoided by using some simple preventive measures.
-- Teach children over and over that drains are not receptacles for toys, nor are they garbage cans. Even when children have outgrown the stage where they are likely to throw shoes and playthings in the toilet bowl, they may still not understand that too much toilet paper may clog it as well. Show them how much toilet paper is appropriate to use for each flush; if they feel the need to use more paper, they should flush the first bit first, then do a second flush if necessary.
-- Garbage disposals are wonderful things, but they are efficient at grinding up every type of food we may be tempted to throw into them. Large amounts of pasta (such as spaghetti), peelings from carrots or potatoes, stringy vegetables such as celery stalks, and egg shells are not meant to be put down disposals. The blades are simply incapable of churning these types of foods correctly, causing water to back up into the sink. Correcting such a mishap usually involves having to get into the pipes, and it is much better to avoid it in the first place.
-- Cooking grease is not meant to be put down drains at all. Make sure to keep empty soup or other cans available and drain pots and pan into the can instead of down the drain. If you absolutely must put grease down the drain, make sure to follow it with piping hot water for several minutes afterwards.
-- Drain screens are extremely helpful gadgets for preventing hair clogs in bathtubs and showers, but they are by no means a panacea. Even drain screens require some regular maintenance to prevent clogs from forming. Over time, hair can filter down through the screens and become lodged directly underneath. Take the time to remove drain screens and clear out any hair that may have accumulated at the top of the pipes: every few months or so should do it. If your drain begins to slow down, that is a sign, and you'll want to clean under the screen without delay before the problem worsens.
Harsh chemicals are tough on pipes and bad for the environment and should be avoided altogether. If you do get a clog and need your drain cleaned correctly, make sure to call a plumbing professional so that it is done right the first time.
Zoom Plumbing (http://www.zoomplumbingatlanta.com) is a professional 24-hour plumbing company that performs Atlanta, GA drain cleaning and plumbing services. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory