Your household plumbing system requires routine maintenance and cleaning, and if you neglect it, you’ll pay the price in plumbing problems. At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, we know a little bit of routine drain maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your plumbing in good health. To help you keep your plumbing in top form, we’ve outlined five drain maintenance actions no homeowner can afford to neglect.
Routinely Flush Drains
Regularly running hot water down your drains for a few minutes is an easy way to break apart oil-based residue inside your pipes. Because it’s the oily material that coagulates and traps incoming solid particles, it’s important to break down that sludge on a routine basis to prevent the development of drain clogs. And if you’re aware that grease has recently traveled into your drain — whether from washing oily dishes or a cooking mishap — immediately pouring hot water down the drain can help prevent that grease from sticking to inside of the pipes.
Drain Strainers
Strainers are a super simple way to reduce your risk of drain clogs and emergency drain cleaning because they prevent a majority of solid particles from flowing into your pipes. If you don’t have drain strainers installed in your kitchen sink and shower drains, now is the time to head to the hardware store and pick them up.
Regardless of how diligent you are about attempting to prevent hair, food particles, and other items from traveling into your drains, you can’t catch everything. And as those particles accumulate inside the pipe, they coagulate, slowing water flow and creating a blockage.
Routine Inspections and Drain Cleaning
The best way to prevent an unexpected plumbing emergency is to schedule routine drain inspections and cleaning. Not only will regular inspections catch drain clogs before they become severe, but they’re also critical for detecting minor pipe leaks that could cause serious problems over time. In addition to annual inspections, once-yearly drain cleaning is a simple way to prevent interior pipe buildup and keep your plumbing system flowing freely.
Pipe Insulation
In Central Wisconsin, pipe insulation is non-negotiable. Though winter is still far off, it’s never a bad idea to get a headstart on insulating your pipes during summer. That way, your pipes will be properly protected against freezing when temperatures begin to drop. If you’re unsure how to install pipe insulation, contact a plumbing professional for advice on material selection and appropriate application. Or, if you don’t want to install the insulation yourself, a plumber can usually take care of the job for you.
Steve’s Plumbing & Heating: Central Wisconsin Drain Cleaning Experts
If you have clogged drains anywhere in your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating. For over 85 years, we’ve specialized in drain cleaning and maintenance for residents throughout Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wassau, and we strive to deliver only the highest quality workmanship and customer service. To schedule an appointment or request a service estimate, feel free to give us a call today at 715-421-1800 or send us a message via our contact page, and we’ll be in touch promptly.