Drain Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Are you looking for professional drain and plumbing services in Elgin, IL? Contact Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. today!

Performing drain maintenance is essential to keep your plumbing system in optimal shape. No one wants to deal with the mess that clogged or backed-up drains can cause. Your bathroom or kitchen could experience flooding and pooling water, leaving you with a disaster to clean up and disruptions to your day. Preventative measures can help avoid these unfortunate scenarios before they start, saving you time and money.

Ultimately, working with an experienced and reputable plumber is the best way to keep up with drain maintenance. After reading about helpful maintenance tips, contact Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. Schedule a service appointment with the top drain cleaning experts in Elgin, Illinois.

1. Keep Clog Removal Tools on Hand

It’s always a good idea to have some plumbing maintenance, cleaning, and clog removal tools in your home, such as:

• A drain snake
• An auger
• A cup hanger
• Toilet plunger

However, it’s important to note that some issues require the careful hand of a trained professional. While it’s possible to resolve minor clogs with an auger or toilet plunger, other scenarios would benefit from expert assistance. Even so, having these items can help you prepare for any possibility.

2. Use Safe Drain Cleaning Solutions

Using a combination of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda can safely and effectively clean your drains. It’s excellent at removing stuck-on gunk within your drains and eliminating gross odors. Many property owners enjoy mixing some essential oils into the solution, such as peppermint, lavender, or lemongrass.

Additionally, you can make ice cubes with lemon juice or add peels for a citrus scent. You can always add lemon, orange, or lime peels to your garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh while also cleaning the pipes. Remember that while this is an excellent solution, you should always have a trained plumber examine your system from time to time and call them as soon as an emergency strikes.

Remember these considerations:

• Common drain cleaning solutions are sometimes effective but could harm your drains and pipes.
• If you’re uncertain how to address your drain problem, call a professional.
• A hot water, baking soda, and vinegar combination is the top drain cleaning mixture.

3. Look for Leaks Periodically

While it’s not something you have to do every day, you should take some time and look for leaks every so often. Take a look under your sinks, at your pipes, and around or behind all major water-using appliances. The condition of your plumbing impacts all aspects of the system, including your drains, so don’t delay in addressing leaks to avoid costly and time-consuming repairs or replacement services.

4. Perform Septic and Sewer Maintenance

A problematic septic or sewer system can lead to major concerns for your entire plumbing system. You’ll need to call a professional for routine septic pumping every three to five years and general plumbing maintenance once a year. You should also book sewer line cleaning and maintenance.

Some reasons to call a professional for the task include the following:

• Satisfaction guarantees
• Years of plumbing experience
• State-of-the-art plumbing technology
• Helpful financing and coupons

5. Examine All Sinks in Your Home

Sinks are some of the most vulnerable areas for your plumbing system, as they are often hidden behind cabinetry. A small part of drain maintenance, besides looking for leaks, is examining your sinks for cracks and other plumbing concerns. DIY efforts are typically not enough to resolve these problems, so connect with a local plumbing expert to resolve the problem. 

6. Test Your Water Pressure

You can see if your water pressure is at the level you want by running some tests. Poor pressure could stem from a drain issue, but contacting your preferred plumber can quickly get to the bottom of the problem. A clogged or dirty drain is potentially the cause, so schedule a consultation appointment to determine how to remove clogs and address bad water pressure.

7. Pay Attention To Your Garbage Disposal

You don’t want to put any non-recommended items down your garbage disposal, as you could harm the motor or contribute to a serious blockage. A garbage disposal is meant for food waste, but there are several substances and objects you shouldn’t place down there, including the following:

• Grease, oils, or fatty substances
• Eggshells and onion skins
• Meat bones
• Seeds and fruit pits
• Hard materials

Avoid doing damage to garbage disposals and drains by watching what you put in them. Similarly, you should not flush anything down your toilet that isn’t waste or toilet paper. Feminine products, makeup, and other materials can mess with your plumbing and contribute to drain problems.

Some property owners apply a drain trap to their systems to stop unwanted items from making their way down. 

8. Contact an Experienced Plumbing Professional

At Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co., we provide Elgin sewer maintenance and drain cleaning services. If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning your drains or aren’t always as knowledgeable about it as you’d like, why not leave it to the team that does it best? We offer the best solutions for tackling blockages and clogs of all shapes and sizes, restoring your plumbing system to its most favorable condition. 

Schedule Top-Shelf Drain Cleaning Services in the Elgin Area With Our Expert Team

Some drain cleaning chemicals are too harsh for your drains and pipes and aren’t as effective as our professional solutions. Ensure your drains are sparkling clean and clear with the help of our team. We provide convenient coupons, have hundreds of local reviews, and offer easy appointment scheduling online or by phone, making us the best fit for all your plumbing and drain cleaning needs in Elgin, Illinois.

When it’s time for annual drain maintenance, turn to Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. to schedule your service appointment. Book your services with us by completing our online form or calling (847) 268-3553 today! Learn more now.