Taking care of the plumbing system in your home or commercial space is one of the simplest and smartest decisions to carry out. Plumbing systems can be a costly fix, depending on where the damage is. Clogged pipes are usually a simple issue to sort out, but if left untreated can lead to bigger plumbing problems. Here are 5 ways to avoid clogged pipes:

1. Protect Your Sink Drains

It may seem easy to wash debris and food down the drain, but you risk buildup and blockages by doing so. When cleaning dirty dishes after a meal, be sure to scrape any unwanted food into the trash before rinsing your dish off in the sink. Drain guards are low-cost and useful for catching any missed particles you don’t want to go down your drain.

2. Avoid Using Your Garbage Disposal

Sounds weird, right? Garbage disposals are meant to get rid of unwanted food. Unfortunately, these devices are often overused and improperly cleaned, making for clogs and buildup. If you do use your garbage disposal, regularly clean it by running ice cubes and a lemon through the disposal. The lemon kills bacteria and pulls debris from the walls of your pipes while the ice creates lubrication for the gunk to wash away.

3. Properly Dispose of Grease

Never put any kind of grease in your sink or down your drain – ever. If you’re disposing of grease or fats, pour the liquid into a jar or sealable container that you’re okay with throwing away. Once it cools, you can scrape the solid into the garbage or throw the entire container away. If your jar or container is made of glass, consider taking it to a recycling center

4. Protect Your Tub & Shower Drains

Using a mesh drain guard in your bath or shower will catch any hair and soap scum that doesn’t belong in your drains while still allowing water to come through. Brush your hair before bathing to decrease the amount of it that could potentially go down the drain. Additionally, brush your pets before bathing them in your tub. A mesh drain guard alone won’t be able to stop a clog when it comes to pet hair, so to be safe, put a washcloth over the drain whenever bathing a pet.

5. Trash – Don’t Flush!

A toilet is made to flush only human waste and toilet paper – nothing else! Throw away any feminine products, baby wipes, and other household waste. Flushing stringy, bulky, or dense items can cause an unwanted toilet clog very quickly. This rule of thumb also goes for faucets – never let anything go down the drain that isn’t supposed to be there.

If you have questions or are experiencing clogged pipes contact Express Plumbing today. Our experienced plumbers are here to help you.