A home’s drain system is one of the most overlooked systems
in the home. It is out of sight/out of mind until there is a problem. Although
it appears to simply be pipes connected together, it is actually a complex
system designed to provide a seal to prevent sewer gases from entering the
home, removes solid wastes and removes waste water. Unlike the toilet, the
other drains typically found in the home (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Laundry Room, Mud
Room) are designed to manage waste water and not solid wastes.
The home owner has the ability to control this system in
many ways before having to call in professionals.
How does a drain become blocked?
·
Short term
o
Excessive amount of solid waste put down drain
o
A foreign object put down the drain that is too
large to pass
o
Grease is put down the drain and settles in the
trap
·
Long term
o
Biofilm and/or fungal growth in piping
o
Settling of particulate matter over time
o
Build up of materials such as food or hair
Quick Tips for the
Home Owner:
Sinks or Lavatories – General
·
Do not put grease down the kitchen drain as it
can solidify and cause plugging. Pour cooking grease into an empty coffee can
or something similar. When it becomes full, toss it in the trash.
·
Even if you use a garbage disposal, uncooked
vegetables such as carrot and potato peels, broccoli stems, corn cobs or husks,
asparagus, other fibrous fruits and vegetables, are best disposed of in the
compost pile or the non-recycling trash.
·
Don't wash coffee grounds, tea bags or egg
shells down the sink. Remove paper and toss the rest in the compost pile or the
non-recycling trash.
·
Pasta and rice may not pass through the garbage
disposal -add to disposal slowly while running water. They are best disposed of
in the compost pile or the non-recycling trash.
·
Minimize the organic solid wastes (ie food) that
are put down the kitchen drain. Follow with water to flush the pipes.
·
Do not put materials that cannot decompose down
any drain.
·
Do not allow hair to go down the lavatory drain
if possible – remove from the lavatory and dispose of in the trash.
·
The performance of system can be improved by
regularly applying a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or an organic type
drain cleaner.
·
It is a good practice to periodically fill the sink
with water and then release it to flush your piping.
·
Harsh drain cleaners are not recommended – they
are poison, give off harmful fumes when used, can harm skin and eyes and can
damage some types of pipes.
source:http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com
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