Dealing with main drain backups is a nightmare for many homeowners. A clogged main drain can lead to significant water damage, unsanitary conditions, and a massive headache.
Luckily, with the right knowledge and a little preventative maintenance, you can avoid the mess and expense associated with main drain replacements.
Cardinal Home Services, your trusted plumbing services in Peterborough, is here to share expert advice on keeping your kitchen drains, toilets, bathroom sinks, tubs, and main drain running smoothly. Whether you need routine maintenance or full main drain replacements, we’re here to help you prevent costly issues and keep your plumbing system in top shape.
How to Prevent a Clogged Drain
Clogged drains can happen whether we try to prevent them or not. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t effective steps that can be taken to mitigate clogs.
Some ways to prevent clogged drains include:
- Use hair and lint catchers on sinks, tubs, and washing machine drains.
- Don’t rinse compounds like sand, grease, cement, or grout down the drain.
- Collect food waste by composting or throwing it away instead of always using the garbage disposal.
- Never flush personal care products and anything other than toilet paper.
Drain Backup
1. Kitchen Drains
Your kitchen drain works hard every day, dealing with everything from grease to food scraps. To prevent clogs, never pour oils or fat down the sink. Instead, dispose of grease in a container and throw it in the trash. Use a strainer to catch food particles and clean them regularly.
A simple mixture of hot water and dish soap down the drain weekly can help dissolve any lingering grease buildup.
2. Bathroom Sinks and Tubs
Bathroom sinks and tubs frequently become clogged with hair and soap scum. A drain guard can catch hair before it becomes a problem. Regularly remove and clean these guards. For a proactive approach, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water once a month. This natural solution helps break down soap scum and hair accumulations without the harsh chemicals.
3. Toilets
Toilets are often taken for granted, but they’re not indestructible. Be mindful of what you flush. Only human waste and toilet paper should go down. Even items labelled as “flushable,” like certain wipes, can cause backups. Educating your household on these guidelines is crucial for preventing toilet-related backups.
4. Main Drain Maintenance
The main drain is the backbone of your home’s plumbing system, carrying wastewater safely from your house to the sewer. Over time, tree roots, sediment buildup, and foreign objects can cause serious blockages, leading to costly backups. That’s why regular inspections by professional plumbing experts are essential. These checks can identify issues early and prevent the need for major main drain replacements later on.
A key piece of advice from our team at Cardinal Home Services is to watch for the signs of a main drain clog. If you notice multiple slow drains, gurgling sounds, or water backing up in tubs and showers when you flush, it could point to a deeper problem. In that case, it’s time to call in professionals who specialize in main drain cleaning and replacements to keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly.
Drain Cleaning Services and Main Drain Replacement
Preventing main drain backups doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes a few smart habits and knowing when to call in the pros. Regular maintenance, mindful flushing, and acting early when you notice slow drains can go a long way in keeping things flowing smoothly. But if these issues keep coming back, it may be a sign of deeper damage that requires a main drain replacement.
If your drain is starting to back up, contact Cardinal Homes Services before it becomes an even bigger problem. Our friendly, professional team is here to make sure your home’s plumbing is in top condition, prevent backups, and keep your day-to-day life flowing smoothly!