The drains in your kitchen are an integral part of your home’s entire plumbing system, which is why you should do your best to ensure they are always in working order. Otherwise, you can easily cause a leak or clog to develop, leading to even more headaches later on.
Although most homeowners do their best to treat their kitchen drains right, many people inadvertently do things that actually end up ruining their drains. These often include:
The Lack of a Sink Strainer
When washing the dishes, food scraps left over from your last meal can easily make their way into your drains. A few scraps of bread or several grains of rice may not seem like much initially, but this adds up quickly over time and can easily lead to a severely clogged kitchen drain. To prevent this, purchase a sink strainer and place it on top of your drain before you start washing the dishes.
Pouring Oil and Grease in the Kitchen Drains
It’s natural to think of disposing of used cooking oil or grease from pots and pans through your kitchen drain; after all, it’s liquid, right? Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case as oil and grease have a nasty tendency to coagulate within your pipes and form a barrier that prevents water from escaping into your sewer line.
Using Harsh Liquid Clog Removers
If you notice a minor clog starting to build up within your drains, you may instinctively reach for a bottle of clog remover. Be wary though, as studies have shown that a large number of over-the-counter liquid clog removers are too harsh for most pipes. Using too much clog remover or using it too often can corrode pipes and increase the likelihood of leaks.
DIY Plumbing
DIY plumbing is a risky affair; one minor mistake can easily leave you in a worse situation than the one you were in when you started. A good example of this would be replacing a kitchen drain pipe. Accidentally connecting pipes made of two different metals can cause a reaction known as galvanic action, which ends up corroding both pipes, leaving your entire system at risk of massive leaks. For difficult plumbing projects, it’s best to leave the task to the capable hands of an experienced Saskatoon plumber.
As long as you avoid committing these mistakes, your drains should be fine. For even better results, ask a trusted Saskatoon plumbing service like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. to snake your drains regularly. This is highly advised for those living in older homes and those who live in homes with a history of tree roots piercing through sewer lines that have started to deteriorate.
Sources:
What Not To Put Down Your Drain, Care2
10 things your plumber wishes you wouldn’t do, Today News
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