With everything going on in our lives, we tend to forget the significant systems below our floors. The importance of our drainage systems are often only recognised when disaster strikes. At JAB plumbing, we believe in preventative solutions. Maintaining the health of your sewer drainage system is key to keeping disasters at bay and can save you thousands of dollars in sewer repairs.
Read on for 5 of the top tips we can provide on maintaining the health of your drainage and pipe system.
Tip #1: Debris is deadly, don’t let it in!
The very best thing you can do for your pipes is prevent foreign debris from entering in the first place. Wet-wipes and grease are the worst culprits for drain issues as they form large clumps inside the pipes and cause blockages.
Never pour grease down any of your drains, even into the kitchen sink. This is because all pipes in your home eventually connect underneath at a main drain. If you’re dumping grease, it won’t only affect your kitchen pipe but every other pipe on its way down to the main sewer.
This means pouring things like oil from the tuna can into the rubbish bin! We know it can be smelly but it is more sustainable, environmentally friendly and will keep your pipes happy and healthy.
Similarly, make sure you’re placing all wet-wipes, paper towels, nappies and personal care items into the bin. A lot of new brands are launching ‘flushable’ products but these are never properly flushable. You’re always better off disposing of these products in a bin.
If ever in doubt, a good rule of thumb when maintaining healthy pipes and drains, is that you should only be flushing toilet paper and human waste.
Tip #2: Clean Your Drains Monthly
Water cannot flow freely when your pipes and drains are backed up with waste. We recommend that you clean your drains monthly, using an enzyme-based cleaner, not a chemical-based one which can damage your pipes.
Commercial cleaners and ones sold in grocery stores often have harsh solutions and it can be confusing to know what’s ok and what’s not. A popular homemade solution is baking soda and vinegar. Let it sit for 15 minutes in your drain before rinsing with boiled water.
Tip #3: Purchase a Drain Guard
Purchasing a drain guard will help reduce the amount of waste that is washed down the sink. Drain guards are typically a plastic or metal grate disk that sit on top of your plug. Although drain guards won’t prevent everything from entering your drains, they are designed to collect larger debris which can be harmful for your pipes. Once this debris is collected, discard it in your bin.
Tip #4: Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Changes
It’s always important to keep your eyes peeled for problems and be diligent. Are there any signs of leakages? Can you smell anything out of the ordinary? Lookout for wet patches around your drain basins or any leaks, which are often a telling sign that something is amiss!
Tip #5: Let the Professionals Do the Hard Work
Sometimes, no matter how careful we are, problems out of our hands arise. It’s important that when you are faced with a drain or pipe problem that you cannot fix, that you contact professionals. The team at JAB Plumbing Solutions are experts in fixing blocked drains and pipes.
Our plumbers are highly trained in the latest industry methods, including CCTV drain inspections, pipe location and high-pressured jet blasting. With more than a decade of experience, you won’t want to go with any other company.
Contact us today info@jabplumbingsolutions.com or call 1800 225 552.
