Avoid flushing unnecessary everyday items and rinsing hard to break down foods down the drain.

Being a homeowner can be very exciting, rewarding and sometimes, challenging. Part of being a homeowner is dealing with an occasional broken appliance, leaky roof, clogged sink, or a backed up toilet. That’s right, sooner or later, your home will likely have an issue that is plumbing related and you’ll have to reach out to a professional plumber for help. 

Plumbing companies are often called due to a blockage in a toilet or sink. These blockages are frequently caused by non-flushable items going down the toilet and food or substances that don't easily break down in the kitchen sink’s drain. These clogs cause major plumbing issues. Despite knowing what is and what is not flushable or allowed down a drain, these blockages still occur. So, how can these be prevented? How can a homeowner reduce the chances of clogs?

Awareness 

It may be surprising to learn that many people don’t know what is and what isn’t supposed to be flushed down a toilet. To put it simply, only toilet paper should go down the toilet drain. The products that claim to be “flushable” really aren’t. Wipes, feminine hygiene products, tissues, etc. are not good for your drains, pipes, and septic system. These types of items can build up and cause your pipes to back up. Spread awareness throughout your home, family and friends about what is and what is not acceptable to flush down the toilet. Doing so may save you from an overflowing toilet and a bill from your local plumber. Remember, a toilet is not a garbage disposal. 

Speaking of garbage disposal, your sink is not designed to be one either! It’s best to keep food from spiraling down your kitchen sink. Kitchen sinks may be designed to wash dirty dishes, but they aren’t capable of breaking down food. It’s wise to scrape dirty dishes into the garbage before placing them in the sink. Using a good drain catcher is an absolute must. Some things that you should try extra hard to avoid rinsing down the drain are coffee grinds, grease, flour, and eggshells.

Prevention

There are things you can do to prevent clogs and drainage problems. As mentioned above, using a drain catcher in your kitchen sink is crucial. Try your best to keep hair from going down shower drains. Hair builds up easily, catches other debris flowing down the drain and becomes a major clog. Like many functional features of a home, drains need some maintenance. 

Remember, your drains should be treated with care. A home's piping system is a major part of the house. Keeping its drains running smoothly is the best way to prevent clogs from happening.

Of course, accidents happen and that’s okay! With 20+ years of experience, Edwards Plumbing is dedicated to providing the best care to your home's plumbing system. If you feel your home could use a plumber's expertise, call Edwards Plumbing today!