Don’t Let a Clogged Drain Slow You Down!
Happy March from the team at Matheson! The month of luck, leprechauns and shamrocks is upon us. Everyone’s Irish this month, and we can’t help but be swept up in the traditions and folklore of the season. Here’s a fun fact: Traditional Irish step dancing is an ancestor of the U.S. clogging tradition. Wait, did someone say clog? You can’t mention clogging around a team of plumbing professionals and not have our minds move away from the dance variety and spring toward the drain variety!
Every day, our team is called to homes for drain repair and clog removal. When water is pooling in a tub or sink, it can feel like your daily plans and schedule are headed down the drain. But never fear! Our plumbers have an assortment of tools—from snakes to augers to hydro jets—to handle your clog.
Prevention Is Your Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow
Homeowners may be tempted to resolve clogged drains themselves by using a chemical drain cleaner to get things moving along. While we understand why customers may be attracted to this seemingly simple, DIY solution, we cannot advise against these products strongly enough. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals such as bleach, caustic potash and peroxide that can damage the integrity of your pipes, and they’re ineffective against some types of clogs. For example, if your problem is being caused by a tree root or an item that shouldn’t have gone down the drain, then a chemical drain cleaner will only harm your pipes, not fix the clog.
Since preventing a problem is always easier than solving one, here are some helpful tips that can keep clogs at bay:
- Pour liquid grease into a container, such as an old soup can or jar, instead of sending it directly down the drain. Let it harden inside the container instead of inside your pipes. You can then throw the container in the trash once the grease solidifies, or just scoop the grease into the trash.
- Upgrade your drain stopper. Hair and soap can build up over time, creating a dense, gross clog. Drains with a mesh screen will catch hair while allowing water to drain, saving you a headache down the line.
- Keep certain food scraps out of your sink. Eggshells, rice, pasta and coffee grounds are infamous for causing blockages, but there are other offenders as well. This is a great opportunity to start composting, but if not, putting food waste into the garbage is a better option than sending it down the disposal.
- Flush your drain with hot water after kitchen cleanup. This simple action will break down soap residue and grease that can lead to clogs. You can run hot water from your tap or if you sense a clog developing, you can use boiling water.
- Once a month or so, pour a solution of baking soda and vinegar down the drain and then flush with hot water. Much like the hot water-only approach, this will further help to break up soap, scum and oils.
Wishing You Nothing but Good Fortune This Spring
We hope you’re having a wonderful start to the spring season, even if springlike temperatures are a ways away for Southeast Michigan. But it certainly won’t be long before daffodils, crocuses and tulips start peeking their way out of the soil, and we can’t wait for these pops of color to replace the dreariness that was February! No matter the weather, Matheson is your trusted team for heating, cooling and plumbing repair in Commerce Township. To schedule your next appointment, please feel free to use our convenient scheduling tool or call us at 248.971.2994.