On Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who died in the military while serving our country. It’s a day of remembrance as well as a day to gather with friends and family and celebrate life with cookouts and other fun activities. When you’re having fun at your house or entertaining guests, the last thing that you need is problems popping up with your plumbing. So, if you find that you are experiencing drain problems this memorial Day weekend,  there are a few things you can do on your own before you call off a party. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot drain problems in your home:

Bathroom Sink

You use your bathroom sink for all sorts of things. Every time you brush your teeth or wash your hands,  soap and toothpaste end up in your drains. This area sees its fair share of hair, dead skin, and lotions as well. As soap scum sticks to the walls of your pipes, it attracts other debris on their way down. This can restrict water flow, and result in unpleasant backups.

Plunging typically fixes this problem, as its highly effective in removing small clogs or buildup that’s close to the surface. If that doesn’t work after a few tries, the issue may be located deeper in your system and need professional assistance.

Tubs and Showers

Like your bathroom sink, your shower or tub drain is exposed to a substantial amount of substances that can cause buildup. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair, dirt – all of these find their way into your drain and sewer system.

To flush out the clog, try pouring boiling water down the drain. You may need to plunge as well,

Kitchen Sink

Take a moment to consider all the things you put down your kitchen sink. Food particles, grease, peels; even more goes down if you have a garbage disposal. These materials can quickly build up and stick to your pipes, resulting in clogs and blockages in your system.

To try and fix the problem yourself, pour some boiling water, vinegar and baking soda down your drain. Avoid chemical cleaners, as they can contain harmful substances that damage your pipes. It’s helpful to know what to keep out of your kitchen drains for future reference, such as:

• Cooking fats, oils, and grease
• Paper products
• Egg shells
• Bones
• Coffee grounds
• Peels

If your kitchen drain is still acting up, call Milltown to schedule a drain cleaning service.

Toilets

Perhaps the most unpleasant area of the home to experience drain problems is the toilet. Backups are not only a major inconvenience, they can lead to costly water damage and potential health hazards in your home. They typically occur when people try to flush items that don’t dissolve in water.

A plunger can usually remedy a clogged toilet. If that doesn’t work, give us a call. We a wide range of services to help your drains, like camera inspection and drain snaking.

Why Choose Milltown?

When it comes to difficult, persistent clogs, we have the equipment that allows us to locate the problem. We can perform a camera inspection to pinpoint the issue, and we can use hydro-jetting to gently push it through your system.

These are just a few ways for you to troubleshoot drain problems in your home as they pop up. This can help things run smoothly during this holiday weekend, and for months to come. If you find that you need professional assistance, call Milltown. We look forward to helping you!

By Milltown Plumbing