Keeping your kitchen drain free of blockages can help prevent future clogs and save you money on plumber bills. Here are five easy ways to keep your sink, garbage disposal and pipes clear of buildup and debris:
Grease is one of the most common culprits of a clogged kitchen in Carson, so avoid pouring it down your sink. Instead, use a container to collect it for disposal and throw it away when it’s full.
Make sure to clean out your kitchen drain and garbage disposal regularly by running hot water to flush out any food particles. This will prevent any clogs from developing and it will keep your appliances working properly.
Installing a kitchen sink drain guard can stop the clog-causers of food, hair, soap scum and other solid waste from making it down your pipes. These guards come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials to fit any type of drain. They’re inexpensive and easy to install, so they’re a great way to protect your plumbing from clogs.
Dish soap is a good drain-cleaning agent that breaks up the fatty oils, grease and other compounds that cause kitchen sink clogs. It also makes it easier to move any clogs that may be obstructing the water flow.
Mixing baking soda and white vinegar works well for breaking up the fatty acids that form a clog in many sinks. The chemical reaction that occurs when the two liquids fizz rapidly forms carbon dioxide gas, which can loosen even light stoppages.
If boiling water and above mixtures don’t work, try plunging the drain to break up the clog. You can purchase a plunger at any hardware store, and it’s inexpensive to buy. This tool is designed to be pushed down the drain to release the clog, but it can also be inserted into the overflow hole or a double sink pipe to push the clog out.
Depending on the clog’s severity, you might need to try it several times before it clears. If you’re unable to remove the clog, call a plumbing specialist for assistance.
Conventional commercial drain cleaners often work well on a single clog, but they can be toxic. A better option is to use a homemade drain cleaner made from a combination of baking soda and vinegar.
The garbage disposal is a big culprit of kitchen sink clogs. It is easy to run greasy foods down it, like coffee grinds, cooking oil, and grease from leftovers.
If you have a trash disposal, make it a habit to flush it after every use. This will prevent clogs from forming in your garbage disposal and it will also help keep the appliance clean and in good working order.