Monthly drain maintenance is essential for preventing issues such as stubborn clogs, water backups and foul odors. Furthermore, maintenance helps you avoid plumbing emergencies and costly repairs. The best way to stay on top of monthly drain maintenance is to follow a checklist for each area.
Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning
Professional drain cleaning uses high-quality equipment to remove hair, grease and other debris from your drains. It’s best to schedule drain cleaning at least once a year, but this depends on your household’s size, activity and plumbing system. If you notice problems such as slow drainage, unpleasant smells or gurgling sounds, schedule your drain cleaning immediately.
Kitchen Sink and Garbage Disposal Checklist
Sink strainers are great for keeping food and debris out of drains, but you need to clean the strainer daily. This prevents clogs, odors and bacterial growth. After you discard the food, scrub the strainer to remove accumulated residue and slime.
Flushing your drain removes trapped debris, while deodorizing it neutralizes odors. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain. Next, pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain, and let the solution sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, flush the drain with boiling water.
Drop a handful of ice cubes and a bit of coarse salt down the garbage disposal. Next, run the disposal for several seconds to clean and sharpen the blades. You can also add several slices of lemon or orange to deodorize the disposal.
Bathroom Sinks, Showers and Bathtubs Checklist
Start by removing and cleaning the drain stoppers. Next, use a drain snake to remove hair from the shower and bathtub drains.
Remove the shower and bathtub drain strainers. Use a paper towel or a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove trapped hair and gunk. Then, clean the strainer with warm water and dish soap.
Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes. Then, flush the drain with hot water to remove soap scum.
Washing Machine and Utility Sinks Checklist
Inspect your washing machine hose for signs of cracking, leaking or bulging. A damaged washing machine hose can lead to blockages, overflows and an overworked pump.
Clean the mesh lint trap on your washer’s discharge hose to prevent fiber buildup and clogs or floods. Depending on your washer, this may include turning off the water supply valves, draining the emergency hose and removing the filter.
Taking these steps to protect your drains can prevent plumbing emergencies and protect your home. If you have concerns or require drain cleaning services, contact Advanced Plumbing & Leak Detection in Ventura, CA.
