Sadly, many homeowners in Bastrop are willing to ignore a slow clearing drain. It is not hard to notice that you are suddenly standing in dirty water while you shower or that the sink is still draining water after you have turned off the faucet. But some people choose to look the other way and hope that the issue will somehow take care of itself. But what will actually happen is that the partial blockage will get worse and worse until the drain is blocked and you are facing a flood of dirty water. The appropriate response to a slow cleaning drain is to take action and avoid a costly plumbing problem or mess flood.
The Right And Wrong Way To Address A Slow Drain
A chemical drain cleaner is never a good option when trying to correct a drain problem. These liquids rely on caustic chemicals to heat the clog and loosen it from the pipe. But unfortunately, that same heat can damage the drain line and create a severe leak on top of the clog issue.
A perfectly safe DIY clog remover with no toxic chemical fumes requires only baking soda and vinegar. First, dump a cup of baking soda down the slow drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the foaming action work for about 15 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water for several minutes. If this process does not eliminate the clog, it is time to call (512) 910-8123 to schedule a professional drain cleaning and clog removal.
Taking Preventative Action
Most household drain clogs are the result of abuse of the drain pipes. These lines are only designed to carry water and small debris away to the city sewer system. However, clogs are inevitable when you cram food into the garbage disposal or wash trash down the drain. Some of the most common clog culprits include:
- Used cooking oil
- Grease
- Human hair
- Pet hair
- Soap scum from oily bathing products, shampoos, and conditioners
- Paper products
- Food waste
Oily foods, used cooking oils, and bath products are especially challenging because they never rinse out of the drain line. Instead, they stick to the inside of the drain line and create a sticky and often unpleasant-smelling residue. That sticky gunk is responsible for trapping hair, dirt, and other debris that should wash down the drain.
While it is impossible to eliminate all of these clog-creating items, limiting what goes down your household drains is essential. For example, pour used cooking oil and grease into a can or jar in the trash. And insert small mesh screens in the sink drains to help capture the debris that will cause future clogs.
When you discover a slow clearing drain, never ignore it. Take action to eliminate the blockage or call (512) 910-8123 to set up a time for your professional drain cleaning from the pros at Parobek Plumbing. It is 100% drain safe, and we guarantee it will remove any clogs, blockages, and drain residue.
