How To Maintain And Unclog The Pipes In Your Home

By Author: Lance Peters
Total Articles: 81
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Pipes are used primarily for transport of clean water as well as unclean water after use; and any disruption of your pipe system by way of clogging can bring a complete halt to normal daily life. While this issue can be annoying, the root cause of whatever is clogging or stopping up the flow of water in the pipe can be minor to severe. This can also be a very unsanitary situation. Harmful bacteria and other organisms can grow in stagnant water, and may cause illness to people at home.

Maintenance of good flow of water in pipe lines starts with knowing what can and cannot be disposed down the pipes. Grease is a major clogging factor, as well as hair and paper. Large wads of toilet paper are known to clog up drain pipes, causing messy backups. Fibers from cloth, hair, and various other materials can get all clumped together and slow drains or stop them up completely.

There are home remedies that can be used to prevent clogs as well as to remove them. Pouring hot salt water in the sink at least once or twice a week is a home remedy that prevents clogging due to grease. Use of mesh drain screen is another important ...
... thing to be followed in order to prevent solid particles and fibrous matter from getting into the drains.
One of the most common methods of home remedies is to use a chemical drain cleaner. While many cleaners can get through some clogs with ease, there are precautions to be followed. Many of these drain cleaners have acids or other chemicals that can be harmful if splashed on the skin, in the eyes, or breathed in.
Bio drain cleaners consisting of bacteria and enzymes are now available in market; this type of clog removal is environment friendly and non hazardous.

Another good method for clearing clogs is to use a plumber's snake. A pipe snake can go into the drain and either loosen or remove some clogs due to hair, food and fibers. Pipe snakes are flexible coils often made from steel that can handle some pressure while being used. Pipe snakes come in many different sizes for different drains. Caution is essential; and using a snake while using chemicals is not recommended. Pipe snakes are available at major national chain stores and hardware stores.
Using a plunger can help in some cases, and imaginative home owners have even been known to use a good, fluffy toilet brush to remove a stubborn clog in commodes. Forcing down water through jets can be used in stopped up tubs to force a clog out of the system. This method does not always work and may result in water logging.
When all else fails, the professional services of a plumber may be required. A master plumber must be called in to prevent structural damage due to overflowing water or solid clogs. Plumbers can remove clogs more quickly and efficiently than a home owner who has no plumbing experience; and if there is a larger issue, can handle it in a fast, logical way. Preventative maintenance can save you from expensive plumbing bills, but when clogs and slow drains happen, a plumber is the very first person to resort to.

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Visit http://www.benfranklinplumbingbirmingham.com