Why Is Drain Cleaning So Important?
A drains main function is to flush all wastewater out of the home; this makes the area a prime location for the build-up of mould and bacteria. So, why is drain cleaning so important?
Drain cleaning is far from the most glamorous task for any homeowner but it is important for your health, safety and comfort.
When you think about it, your kitchen regularly has some pretty yucky things washed down the pipes, from food borne illness causing germs to food particles. In bathrooms for instance, you brush your teeth, bathe your body and wash your hands, letting all that residual water wash down the drain. These areas can get filthy without regular cleaning, as build up from germs, mould and oils can accumulate in these moist areas over time. This can cause a real health threat over time, in addition to causing smells and looking unsightly. So then, are you ready to start drain cleaning?
A great place to start is to simply add drain cleaning to your regular cleaning schedule, this way you can ensure your drains stay clear of debris and fresh all year round. Use boiling water once a week to flush out your drains, this should be sufficient to keep most germs and mould growth under control.
- Clearing Mould – If you ever see mould in your bathroom or shower pipe, use baking soda with a drain brush to clean the visible area. Next flush the pipe thoroughly with vinegar and finally rinse with hot water.
- Clearing Hair – Whenever you wash your hair in the shower your hair can begin to build up in the drain. It can even reach the point where you may require professional assistance from a plumber should the build-up reach significant levels. To prevent hair clogging up your drains, consider investing in a drain strainer, purchasable from most hardware stores.
- Blockages – If hot water alone doesn’t seem enough for clearing our minor blockages or removing bad odours and mould, then call a plumber. There could be a more sinister problem lurking further down the line that needs examining. Whenever possible, avoid using products filled with chemicals. These products can sit above the blockage and corrode your pipes, which will make the problem much worse in the long run.
- Basic Maintenance Cleaning – To begin, fill up your tub or sink with hot tap water or a pot of boiling water, next, open the drain line, this will allow the water to full work through the line rather than tricking down the path of least resistance. For added freshness you can also use vinegar and baking soda.
- Food Disposals – Many food disposals are notorious for bad odours. If you start to notice an unpleasant smell coming from your food disposal, start by pouring some baking soda into the drain and follow it up with some vinegar. Let the solution work for a while then run very hot water down the drain. Another option is to use lemon peels in the disposal to keep it smelling fresh. To prevent further smells from developing, remember to run the hot water through the disposal for 30-40 seconds after every use.
Many professionals recommend natural and environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions such as baking soda and vinegar combined with regular cleaning to successfully prevent the most common drain blockages and odour problems.
