A slow-draining sink or bathtub is an inconvenience that every household can do without. Drains are clogged or slowed by a variety of objects and materials. Bathrooms sinks and tubs are usually slowed by an accumulation of hair or an unusual object while kitchen drains usually succumb to a buildup of grease or food debris. The following list from professional plumbers will give you a good idea how to keep your drains flowing freely.

Plumbers Preventive Maintenance

• For bathroom sinks and showers, do remove and dispose of any hairs in the trash can instead of washing them down the drain.
• In the kitchen, do always use the disposal for any foodstuffs. In addition, once a month, do pour a half cup of liquid detergent with a degreaser into the drain, let sit for twenty minutes and then flush with boiling water. This will help loosen and remove any greasy buildup.

Unclogging a Drain

• Do start with a plunger. This tool will loosen any small objects in the drain and hopefully allow them to be drained away.
• If the plunger does not solve the problem. Do use a hand auger also known as a “snake.” This tool is excellent for penetrating and removing excess paper clogs in a bathroom drain and for removing grease deposits in kitchen drains.
• If these tools are unavailable, do try a chemical solvent. Chemical drain openers are extremely effective on minor clogs but are useless if an item such a q-tip or small toy is causing the problem.

Some Important Don’ts from Pro Plumbers

• Do not use chemical drain cleaners on plastic pipes.
• Do not use an plunger on a drain that has been treated with a chemical drain opener.
• Wear complete eye protection if using a drain auger on a chemically treated drain.
• Don’t assume a slow drain will fix itself. The earlier you address the issue, the easier it will be to fix the problem.