Making sure that your drainage is always in a spick-and-span condition is a great way to keep your plumbing system functioning without a hitch. After all, if you neglect them, your drains will get blocked, forcing you to call Marvel Plumbing And Drainage in Burnaby every so often.

More importantly, it pays to know what usually causes your drains to become clogged, as well as understand the steps that you need to take to avoid drain blockage in the first place. That’s why we have put together the following 5 tried-and-true drain maintenance tips.

Tip #1. Food Particles are Bad News for your Drain System

The first step to an effective drain maintenance is to know what’s not supposed to go into the drainage pipes. Perhaps the biggest culprit is food waste. The odds are that you dump your food leftovers, cuttings, spoilt food and other particles down the drain.

That’s a big no-no because they’re bad news for the drainage pipes and can cause a major clog. (Of course, if you suspect that your drainage system is already blocked, don’t hesitate to call Marvel Plumbing And Drainage in Burnaby). We promise to show up on time and get the job done right the first time.

So, what doesn’t go down the drain?

  • Coffee grounds – ground coffee tends to be sticky, forming a nasty paste inside the pipes.
  • Eggshells – they are prone to adhering to other drainage waste, growing into bulkier
    clogs.
  • Unused meds – these not only cause your drains to back up but can also end up in the underground water system.

The list goes on and on. The bottom line is that if something isn’t soluble, don’t let it go down the drain.

Tip #2. Compost Food Leftovers

Again, food scraps/leftovers are never good for the drainage system. They cake up forming huge clogs that can turn into a plumbing nightmare. Instead of damaging your drain, why don’t you turn food scraps into useful compost?

Tip #3. Clean the Drains Often

Even if you stay on top of food waste, there are myriads of other reasons why drains become slow and clogged. That’s why you need to thoroughly clean and clear your drains once in a while.

How so? Obviously, you can use drain cleaning solutions and detergents. However, there are a plethora of home remedies like table salt, vinegar and baking soda that are also poised to work like a charm.

Pour 1 tablespoon of ordinary table salt into your bathroom/kitchen drains. Wait a few minutes then pour at least 0.25 cups of white vinegar. Let the solution sit for around 60 minutes before running hot water to clear out any clogs. For the best outcome, you might have to do it twice.

Tip #4. Take Care of your Sinks and Showers

Hair, gunk, food particles and whatnot can go down the sink/shower drains. So, don’t forget to pour bleach/unblocking solution into the sinks from time to time.

Tip #5. Grease + Drain System = Nightmare

That’s right; grease has no place in your kitchen sink drainage. If you suspect that there’s a grease buildup in your drain, pour some liquid dish detergent followed by hot water to “cut” the grease. Do these two or 3 times if the grease situation is dire.

There you have it – 5 key ways to maintain your drain system. Remember that food particles are your drain’s biggest enemy.