It’s that time of year again when the cold, crisp air is nipping at your nose and your drains need some serious prep work! Drains take a beating throughout the winter holidays. Completing drain maintenance before winter is in full swing is essential because you won’t want to deal with a plumbing issue around the holidays. Use these five drain maintenance tips below to keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly all winter long.
Unclog All Your Drains
One of the first steps in winter drain maintenance is to confirm they are not clogged. Ensure that none of your drains are filled with hair, dirt, or any other gunk or debris, as clogs are more prevalent during the winter. That’s because whatever is lodged in your drains can become stiff and solid with the incoming cold weather, making it even harder for drains to work correctly.
Clean Your Drains
It’s important not to mistake this step with unclogging as they are two completely different steps. Once you’ve made your drains free of any blockages, you’ll want to clean them too! Substances like grease or oil — things that don’t usually cause clogging — can become solidified in the colder months, leading to clogging. Using a combo of baking soda and vinegar to remove buildup in your drains may significantly reduce the risk of clogs.
Check To See All Sinks and Showers Are Draining Properly
This step is where we dig a bit deeper into your drains. Even though you’ve unclogged and cleaned your drains, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll drain properly. If they don’t, there may be a drainage issue within the pipes themselves instead of your drain. If your drains are clean and free from clogs, yet water is building up and not draining properly, call your local plumbing professional to get it fixed up right away.
Perform Routine Hot Water Flushing
If you’re a general busybody with little time to spare to clean your drains or have already cleaned your drains and are looking to keep them in working condition, simply pour boiling water over all your drains on a weekly basis.
Note: This can only be done if your home uses METAL piping. This tip is NOT recommended for PEX, CPVC, or PVC pipes whose heat tolerance is lower than that of boiling water (also not recommended for porcelain sinks).
Always consult your local plumber to confirm whether or not this is safe to perform for your home’s drains.
Use Cold Water
If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen sink, running cold water will help solidify grease so that it becomes easier to break up and prevent clogging. Hot water, however, will liquefy grease and oil, causing them to coat the inside of your drains over time.
Schedule Drain Services Now
For proper maintenance of your drains, it’s always best to call in the help of a plumbing professional. This ensures that everything is handled properly, reducing the risk of complications and damage to your home’s drains and pipes. Reach out to Waldrop Plumbing – Heating – Air for expert drain services!
