Most of us use our sinks and showers multiple times every day, but don’t give much thought to the drains. But these are essential pieces of your home’s plumbing, and if they’re not working well, you’ll be left with a lot of trouble. Drains have the tendency to get clogged, or accumulate odors, both of which can be intrusive to your life and even costly to fix. If you want to take good care of your drains and avoid major plumbing issues, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful what you put down the drain

Remember that your drains are not trash cans. Be mindful of what gets rinsed down the drain, both in your showers and in your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Never pour grease, oil, paint, or solvents down your drains. Avoid letting trash, dirt, and debris go down too.

2. Install a trap or screen

Sometimes, especially in showers, hair tends to clog the drain. If you or someone in your household has long hair and you want to avoid a gross, smelly clogged drain, consider installing a hair trap. These are lightweight, inexpensive filters that can trap hair and other debris before it goes down the drain.

3. Perform routine cleaning

Keep your drains clear and smelling fresh with regular maintenance cleanings. This can involve using a drain snake to remove hair or other debris, as well as using gentle cleansers like baking soda, salt, vinegar, and hot water. You can also buy cleaners just for drains and garbage disposals.

4. Call a plumber when needed

Don’t ignore problems with your drains, and end up with an expensive mess on your hands. If you’ve noticed a clog or odor that you can’t seem to fix yourself, make sure you call a qualified plumber in Winchester or your local area. It’s always better to have your drains addressed by a professional!

Want to learn more about maintaining clean, healthy drains in your home? Need to schedule a service call? Reach out to us at Powell’s Plumbing today!