The drains in your plumbing do an immense amount of work for you each day, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you take good care of them, your drains should last for many years without the need to replace them. However, there are a number of ways drains can suffer damage that you should watch out for. Some you can prevent through a few basic steps, others will require the assistance of a plumber.
To help keep your drain in Orlando, FL undamaged, contact the professionals at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. We’ve compiled a list of the causes of drain damage that we see the most often to help guide you in keeping your drains healthy:
Oil, grease, and fat
This is the most common error people make regarding their kitchen sinks and disposals: pouring liquid oil, grease, or fat down the drain. They may seem harmless, but when these liquids cool, they congeal into thick solids. Even if they do not cause blockage, they will start to line the inside of your drainpipes and restrict water flow.
Garbage and debris
Do not think of your drains as if they were trash cans and toss things down in them that can lead to blockage and damage. Keep food particles in the disposal (or the trash) and avoid letting paper products wash down the drainpipes.
Hard water
If your municipal water supply has too many minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, suspended in it (“hard water”), it will lead to calcite deposits along your drainpipes. This will also start to restrict water flow, and will look unattractive on your fixtures. You may need to have a professional install a whole-house water softener to alleviate this issue.
Chemical drain cleaners
They’re sold as way to “clean” your plumbing, but few things can cause as extensive damage to your drain as a bottle of acidic cleaning chemicals getting poured down it. The caustic action of these cleaners is terrible for the interior of your pipes—and it isn’t good for your health, either. Rely on a plunger or the work of a plumber to assist you with clearing out clogs.
Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. offers 24-hour emergency service to help you with damages to your drains. If you’ve got a slow drain, leaks, or a complete clog, get on the phone immediately with one of our trained technicians and we’ll put our expertise to work on the problem. We also have regular drain maintenance that will clean your drainpipes once a year and check for potential problems.