We don’t often think of our drain, well we don’t think you should ignore it anymore. The incorrect disposal of cooking grease, overuse of garbage disposals and improper or excessive disposal of paper waste can result in clogged drains and are frequent culprits of pipe-clogging sewer problems. People’s Trust Insurance brings you a few tips to keep your drain at home operable and avoid trouble.
Never pour oil down a drain – Baking, frying and roasting can result in delicious meals but also in excess cooking oils, grease and fats that need disposal. Rather than pour them down a drain, put cooled fats and oils into a garbage bag or into a sealed container before disposing in the trash. Even small amounts of grease can cause a problem.
Take care with table scraps – Rather than use a garbage disposal, many plumbing professionals advise disposing of table scraps directly into the garbage (stringy celery stalks and potato peels seem to be a particular challenge for disposal systems). Also, use drain baskets and strainers in the sink to catch smaller food items that are rinsed from plates and utensils. You may want to consider collecting vegetable and fruit scraps for use in a backyard compost pile.
Don’t flush anything but toilet paper – Remind any visitors or overnight guests that they should never flush paper towels, sanitary products or wet wipes (even those labeled as “flushable”) down a toilet. Have a waste basket at the ready in every bathroom, and make sure to frequently empty it so guests have easy access.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners – They can damage blades and pipes. Borax is a natural sink cleaner and sanitizer that effectively works on odor-causing mold and mildew that accumulates in garbage disposals.
Perform routine maintenance on your sewer lines – Even with preventative measures, sewer lines can become clogged over time, from debris and grease buildup and external factors like tree roots. They can even crack, collapse or shift due to moving soil or other natural elements. A professional can perform a sewer camera inspection and determine the condition of your line, and clear it of any debris; they can even replace the line if there are signs of a major problem.
This Blog is sponsored by:
People’s Trust Insurance Company