How Often Should I Clean My Drains? The Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide to DIY Drain Cleaning
Is your kitchen sink draining slower than usual? Or maybe you’ve noticed unpleasant odors coming from your bathroom drain? These are common signs that it’s time to give your home’s plumbing some attention. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about keeping your drains clean and functioning properly, with specific timelines and methods for every type of drain in your home.
Kitchen Sink Drains
Your kitchen is the work horse of your home, and its ability to function well relies on smooth running fixtures and appliances. Your kitchen sink constantly swallows up food particles, grease, and oil – all things that can easily build up in your drain, leading to clogs and foul odors. Scheduling annual drain cleanings with a licensed plumber can keep your kitchen pipes clear, but between those professional cleanings, you can keep your kitchen drain running smoothly by following these best practices.
How Often Should I Clean My Kitchen Sink Drain?
- Weekly: Run hot water down the drain after each use to flush away food debris and grease.
- Monthly: Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then flush with hot water. This natural solution helps break down grease and food particles.
Pro Tip: For a fresh-smelling garbage disposal, throw in a handful of ice cubes and a few citrus peels (like lemon or lime) once a week and run your disposal for about 10 seconds.
Bathroom Sink and Shower Drains
No room in your home takes more daily abuse than the bathrooms. Between the toilet, shower, tub, and sink, there is a lot of potential for clogged drains. Hair, soap scum, and beauty products can accumulate, slowing down water flow and causing blockages in your home’s drainpipes. And an unusable bathroom can bring your home’s efficiency to a screeching halt. You should absolutely have a professional plumber perform annual drain cleanings in your bathrooms, but in between these scheduled appointments, you can keep your bathrooms in good, working order by following these tips.
How Often Should I Clean My Bathroom Sink and Shower Drains?
- Weekly: Remove visible hair from the drain cover after each use to prevent buildup.
- Monthly: Use a drain snake or hair catcher to pull out any trapped hair or debris. Alternatively, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar as you would for the kitchen drain. You can also use enzyme-based drain cleaners that are safe and effective for breaking down organic materials.
Pro Tip: Install a drain cover or hair catcher to prevent hair from going down the drain in the first place.
Toilet Drains
Nothing causes homeowners instant dread quite like a clogged toilet. Toilet paper, waste, and non-flushable items (like wipes or feminine products) can clog toilets and threaten them to overflow causing potential water damage. It’s a nightmare that’s best avoided! There are steps you can take to keep your home’s toilets running efficiently between professional drain cleanings, though.
How Often Should I Clean My Toilet Drain?
- Daily: Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste.
- Monthly: Flush a half gallon of hot water down your toilet drain every month to keep your pipes open and flowing.
- As Needed: If a clog does occur, use a plunger to try and dislodge it. For more stubborn clogs, a plumbing snake may be necessary.
Pro Tip: Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes. Instead, try a natural enzyme cleaner or use a plunger.
Basement and Utility Room Drains
Your home’s plumbing system, underneath your basement’s concrete floor, is made up of four parts that, together, keep your home’s drains running smoothly. Your basement drain is closest to this complex system, and it works to keep your basement floor dry. In the same way, the drain in your utility room ensures that your washing machine empties into the drainpipes. Dust, lint from your washing machine, dirt, and even small objects can end up in utility room or basement drains, causing blockages. You should schedule a professional camera drain inspection every 12-18 months to ensure your home’s plumbing system is clear all the way to the main sewer line. But between visits from your plumber, these tips can help you keep your basement and utility room drains clear.
How Often Should I Clean My Basement and Utility Room Drains?
- Monthly: Check the drain for any visible debris or slow draining water. Run hot water through the drain regularly to help flush out buildup.
- Quarterly: Use a drain snake to clear out any large debris or a wet/dry vacuum to suck out any blockages that might not flush out easily.
Pro Tip: Install a mesh trap to catch lint and debris before it enters the drain.
Outdoor Drains
Sink and shower drains aren’t the only pipes to maintain in your home. The outside of your home likely has several drains that need to be maintained, including landscape drains, sprinkler systems, gutters and downspouts, and the sewer clean out. Leaves, dirt, and other outdoor debris can clog these exterior drains, leading to water backups that can damage your home’s foundation or landscaping. Keep the exterior of your home in good condition with these best practices.
How Often Should I Clean My Outdoor Drain?
- Quarterly: At the beginning of each season, especially in fall and spring, clear the drains of leaves, twigs, and dirt.
- Bi-Annually: Use a hose to flush the drains with high pressure or hire a professional to inspect and clean exterior drains annually to prevent major blockages.
DIY Drain Cleaning Pro Tips for Your Entire Home
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: While chemical drain cleaners can be effective, they can also damage pipes, especially if used frequently. Stick to natural solutions or call a professional plumber if you experience frequent clogs.
- Routine Inspections: Regularly check the flow of water in all household drains. Slow drainage is a sign of buildup and addressing it early can save you from bigger problems later.
- Professional Help: If you find yourself frequently cleaning the same drain or dealing with recurring clogs, it might be time to call in a plumber to ensure there’s no underlying issue.
Call the Drain Cleaning Experts at Maplewood Plumbing and Sewer
At Maplewood Plumbing and Sewer, we specialize in clearing clogged drains inside and outside your home. From your kitchen and bathrooms to your laundry room, basement, and outdoor drains, our plumbing and drain cleaning experts keep your home functioning smoothly all year long. If you have a slow moving or clogged drain in your home, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Contact Maplewood Plumbing for a professional drain cleaning today!
Comments are closed