The Ultimate Guide to Clog Prevention

 

Drains can become clogged easily: Here's how to prevent that! 

Any drain, whether it's located in the shower or the kitchen, is susceptible to clogging. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is quite common. With the right tips, you can drastically reduce the chances of damaging your drains. 

Tip #1: Reduce Food Scraps 

Drains are not made to process large amounts of food (or large amounts of anything, for that matter).  Before rinsing off your plate, it is wise to scrape off what you can over the trash can so that your drain is left to deal with the remnants it can effectively process. We recommend adopting this as a household rule, and if necessary, purchasing a drain strainer that will collect the food before it enters the drain. 

Tip #2: Don't Rinse Grease and Fat Down The Drain 

This is a tricky one. If you can't use your drain to dispose of hot grease, where does it go? First, you should let the grease cool down. Once it cools, it usually takes on a solid-form. When you throw it in the trash, you won't risk leaks (yuck!). This process may be more time consuming, but trust us, it's much less time consuming in the long run. Grease and other fatty oils do not break down, so your drain will not handle them well at all. 

Tip #3: Brush Before You Wash 

Hair can easily clog your shower or bath drain. The best way to prevent hair shedding is to brush it, which in turn prevents hair from falling into the drain. A great rule is to always brush before you wash (this goes for dogs, too!). If you still find hair circling around the drain, you can always insert a mesh screen to catch the hair. 

Should you still run into trouble, our technicians at Shakley Mechanical are trained to help you with these complications. For all of your residential and commercial HVAC or plumbing service needs in Ashland, Mansfield, Wooster, Shelby, and the surrounding area, we’ve got you covered! Call us at 419-281-6909 to talk to a representative today.