Have your drains been sluggish lately? It’s probably time to clean them out. While you can always call a plumber to get the job done, you might be able to do some of the cleaning on your own. When your drain lines start smelling odd or making unusual noises, it’s time to clean them. Staying on top of drain and sewer line maintenance in Columbus, IN is easy when you follow these tips:
- Try an enzyme cleaner: Enzyme cleaners are natural drain cleaners. Instead of harsh chemicals, these cleaners use natural enzymes to break down biological compounds. In fact, you might have used an enzyme cleaner to clean pet urine from carpet and fabrics. There are heavy-duty drain cleaning versions available at hardware and plumbing stores. These are best used on large drains (such as basement drains), and take time to break down the gunk in your pipes. Be patient.
- Mix up some baking soda and vinegar: Minor clogs can often be dislodged with baking soda and vinegar—the same two ingredients you probably used to make “volcanoes” in elementary school science class. When mixed together, they expand and become quite foamy. This can help remove sticky grease, fats and oils from the sides of your pipes.
- Flush the lines: As long as your lines aren’t clogged, you can flush your plumbing with water and a small amount of drain cleaner. Sending the water and drain cleaner down the pipes together is a good way to destroy buildup while keeping your pipes safe. Do not attempt this if you do have a clogged line, as it could lead to backed-up drains and toilets.
- Try a plumbing snake: Plumbing snakes are inexpensive augers. You feed them down a drain so that they can either twist or cut the clogs, sending the debris down the pipe. If your snake doesn’t seem to help, let a professional come take care of the problem.
- Limit chemical cleaners to twice per year: In general, it’s best to avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners like Liquid-Plumr or Drano—they can eat away at your pipes, causing major damage. However, you can use them once or twice per year to help reduce any buildup that’s developed.
- Preventative maintenance is key: As mentioned above, performing regular preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your plumbing lines clear. Every month, send some baking soda down your drains to help scour away light buildup. (It’s a great way to get more use out of the box you use to absorb odors in the fridge.) Flush the lines every few months, and use drain cleaner no more than twice per year.
- Find a great local plumber: Don’t forget to find a great local plumber who can tackle the heavy-duty jobs. If your lines get clogged, you’ll need to find an emergency solution.
For sewer line maintenance and drain line cleaning tips in Columbus, IN, get in touch with the team at Barr Plumbing Service, Inc. We’ve been assisting area residents for over 35 years and would be glad to tackle any plumbing issues you’re facing.