As a homeowner, you know that every home system needs maintenance from time to time. And if you neglect that maintenance, you're more likely to need expensive repairs. But sometimes, the amount and frequency of the maintenance needed can vary a bit.
For example, if you take great care of your plumbing drains, they may not need professional cleaning as often. Here are some variables that could affect how often your drains need maintenance.
1. Drain Screens
The more likely your drains are to clog, the more often they'll slow down and need cleaning. One easy way to keep debris out of your drain is to use a mesh screen at each entrance to the drainage system. The finer the mesh, the more debris it will catch. (Keep in mind that smaller mesh may drain more slowly because it forces water through small holes.)
Your bathtub, showers, and kitchen sink are the most important spots for drain screens, but any bathroom and laundry room sinks are important as well. Mesh screens are quite inexpensive and can effective. They can help catch hair and food scraps and reduce the chances of drain slowing or blockage, which in turn reduces how many drain cleanings you need.
2. Soap Scum
Soap scum can contribute to a drain clog, especially in the bathroom sink and the shower or bathtub. If you use bar soap in the shower and bath, you can try cleaners that cut through soap scum. But that may work better for your bathtub than for your drains; plumbers don't recommend harsh chemical cleaners for your drains.
Another option to reduce soap scum in your drains is to consider switching to a product such as a body wash or shower gel. Liquid body wash and shower gel are often less likely to cause buildup in your drains.
Often, body wash and shower gel technically contain a type of detergent rather than an actual soap product. This doesn't mean body wash is a harsh product like laundry detergent; this just means that it doesn't contain fats that will congeal in your drain.
3. Kitchen Disposal Use
The garbage disposal in your kitchen sink is another thing you need to keep in mind about drain maintenance. The garbage disposal is designed to grind up food scraps so that they won't clog drains. However, that's only the case if you use the disposal according to manufacturer recommendations.
If you use the disposal incorrectly (such as by jamming it too full or not using enough water with it), you could still end up with drain problems such as unpleasant odors or slow drains. Pouring grease, oils, and other fats down the drain can have a similar effect. Fats can congeal on the sides of the drain and cause slowing.
4. Drain Age
An older plumbing system is likely to clog easily. The system may have odd bends in the pipes, tree roots that grow through the pipes, and even pipes partially blocked by buildup. If your drains are older, you may need to baby them along with frequent professional maintenance as well as careful use and home care.
These are just a few of the factors that can come into play when determining how often you'll need professional drain maintenance. As you can see, taking a few simple steps to avoid buildup in your drains can help reduce your plumbing bills.
Scotto's Plumbing provides drain maintenance and clog removal as well as a wide variety of other plumbing maintenance and repair solutions for homeowners. If you live in Pinellas County, feel free to give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you.
State License CFC1431515