Blocked Drains? Here’s How to Keep Your Ajax Home Stress Free
No one likes dealing with a blocked drain. But every homeowner in Ajax faces this issue at some point in life. Slow-draining sinks, weird smells, and even water backing up can turn into a real headache.
Most clogs are manageable with a few simple habits. If you know what causes the blockage issue then you can stop it and save it from expensive repairs. In this blog, we will break down common reasons for clogged drains and easy steps to prevent them.
Common Causes of Blocked Drains
Before you look out for clogged drain solutions, you must know what are the reasons behind it. Below are the most common reasons drains get blocked in Ajax homes:
1. Hair and Soap Buildup
Hair and soap are the common culprits for bathroom sink clogging. When the hair goes down the drain, it sticks to the pipes and forms a stubborn blockage.
2. Grease and Fat
Greasy liquids like oil and fat cause kitchen drain blockages. These substances stick to the pipes and harden over time. If you pour hot grease down the drain, the problem gets even worse.
3. Food Waste
Garbage disposals like coffee grounds, eggshells, and vegetable peels can create serious clogging. Therefore, you must always throw large food particles in the trash and not in the sink.
4. Foreign Objects
Small objects like paper towels, wipes, and cotton earbuds can clog toilets and sinks. As these items don’t break easily and get stuck in the drain.
5. Tree Roots
Tree roots are another issue that grow into underground pipes and create serious blockages. If you have large trees near your home, they might be a reason for frequent drain problems.
6. Mineral Buildup
In Ajax, most of the home gets a hard water supply. This clearly means mineral buildup inside pipes like calcium and magnesium. Over time, this can reduce the water flow and create blockages.
How to Prevent Blocked Drains?
Preventing blocked drain issues is better than dealing with them at a later stage. Follow the simple steps below to keep your drain healthy.
1. Use Drain Covers
Install drain covers in your sinks and showers to collect hair, food scraps, and debris. You can clean these covers regularly to avoid buildup.
2. Dispose of Grease Properly
Avoid pouring grease, oil, or fat down the drain. Instead, let it cool down and throw it in the dustbin or grease container.
3. Be Careful with Food Waste
Leftover food in the drain while washing dishes can create clogging. Avoid leaving any kind of coffee grounds, rice, pasta, and eggshells in the sink.
4. Run Hot Water Regularly
Pouring hot water down the drain once a week can help dissolve grease and soap buildup. This method keeps your drain clean and clear.
5. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Use a natural cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar to break down small clogs. Pour one cup of baking soda and mix it with one cup of vinegar. Then flush with hot water after 15 minutes.
6. Schedule Regular Drain Cleaning
Take the help of professional drain cleaning as it helps to clear most of the clogs. Schedule a maintenance plan at least once a year for drain cleaning.
DIY Solutions for Minor Blockages
If you have a slow drain, try these simple solutions before calling a plumber.
1. Plunge the Drain
Take a plunger and remove the small clogs. Use a sink plunger for kitchen sinks and a toilet plunger for bathroom drains.
2. Try a Drain Snake
Use a drain snake to pull out hair and other debris from pipes. Insert the tool, twist it, and pull out the blockage.
3. Use Boiling Water
For grease buildup, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. This works best for kitchen sinks. But you must avoid using it for PVC pipes as high heat can damage them.
4. Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum
Using a wet/dry vacuum can remove persistent blockages. Create a tight seal around the drain and use the highest setting to suck out the clog.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Some clogging issues require professional assistance. You can call an experienced plumber to help you with serious drain issues. Here are some signs that tell you when to call an Ajax plumber:
1. Multiple Slow Drains
If you have frequent slow drains, the issue is much more serious and deep within your plumbing system. This may sign a bigger problem like main sewer line blockages.
2. Water Backing Up
If the water is backing up in the sink or toilet, it means there is a serious clogging issue. If you ignore it, then it can lead to flooding and water damage.
3. Bad Smells
If you smell a weird and rotten smell from the drains, it’s due to frequent clogging in your pipe. A professional Ajax plumber can fix it for you.
4. Weird Sounds
If your drains make weird noises then the air is trapped in the pipes. This could be due to a blockage or venting issue.
5. Frequent Clogs
If clogs keep happening, there may be a bigger issue in your plumbing. A professional can identify and solve the problem before it gets worse.
The Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning
There are lots of perks to hiring a plumber for drain cleaning:
- Prevents Future Clogs: Regular maintenance keeps your drains clear.
- Improves Drain Speed: Water flows faster with clean pipes.
- Reduces Bad Odors: Cleaning drains remove trapped food, grease, and debris.
- Extends Pipe Lifespan: Remove buildup and save pipes from any kind of damage.
- Detects Hidden Issues: A plumber in Ajax can spot problems which you can’t see.
Conclusion
Every Ajax homeowner goes through blocked drain issues. To prevent it, you need to take a few steps that we discussed in the blog and keep your plumbing system up to date. If you have ever faced stubborn clogs, try a few DIY methods or it’s best to call a plumbing professional for help. Regular maintenance will only keep the water flowing smoothly in your drain. For expert drain cleaning in Ajax, TrustFlow Plumbing and Heating is here to give you 24/7 support. Call our team at (647) 822-3215 and book your drain cleaning service today.
