When it comes to home maintenance, keeping your plumbing system in order is one of the most important things you can do. Burst pipes and major leaks can cause you a great deal of trouble so if you don’t want to call a plumber every week and lose both time and nerves, as well as your money, you would be much better off sticking with regular, relatively simple maintenance. So check out these simple tricks for keeping your pipes healthy and functional.
Benefits of clean pipes
Although it’s not something you probably give much thought to, the state of cleanliness of the pipes in your home can actually have a considerable influence on the way your day goes. Pipes that are clean may give a number of benefits for you and your family, including lowering the likelihood that there will be problems with the plumbing and enhancing the health and safety of your home as a whole.
Reduce the risk of plumbing issues
It should come as no surprise that having clean pipes lowers the likelihood that there will be problems with the plumbing. It is possible for pipes to have a greater propensity for leaking, blockages, and backups when they get blocked with dirt or mineral buildup. These problems, if left unchecked, can, over time, cause damage to your plumbing system and potentially lead to repairs that are expensive. If you take the time to clean your pipes on a regular basis, you can avoid the problems described above and ensure that your plumbing system is operating as effectively as possible.
Improve water pressure
Having clean pipes also results in higher water pressure, which is another advantage. It is possible for water flow to be impeded when pipes get blocked, which can result in decreased water pressure throughout your house. This may make it difficult to do tasks such as taking showers, washing dishes, or even flushing the toilet. You can guarantee that water is able to flow easily through your pipes and that there is sufficient water pressure throughout your home if you maintain your pipes clean.
Improve water quality
Your home’s water supply may also benefit from having its pipes cleaned regularly. Mineral buildup, rust, and other debris can form in pipes over time, which can have a negative impact on the flavor and odor of the water in your home. These materials may potentially provide a danger to your health and the health of your family in some circumstances. You can guarantee the cleanliness of your water supply and remove any potential health risks by maintaining clean pipes.
Increase energy-efficiency
Did you know that keeping your pipes clean can also assist enhance the efficiency of the energy used in your home? If the pipes in your home get blocked, it will need more effort to pump water through them, which will result in increased energy costs. If you take the time to clean your pipes regularly, you can guarantee that water moves through your plumbing system quickly and easily, therefore lowering the amount of energy that is required to keep it running.
Improve overall health and safety
Having clean pipes is also an important factor in helping to enhance the general health and safety of your house. It is possible for a breeding habitat for bacteria, mold, and other potentially hazardous things to be created when pipes get blocked. The presence of these items in your home is a potential threat to your health and the health of your family, particularly if anybody in your house suffers from respiratory conditions. You may lessen the likelihood that these potentially hazardous substances will accumulate in your plumbing system if you maintain a clean pipe system.
Having clean pipes in your house may bring a multitude of benefits, including lowering the chance of plumbing difficulties and enhancing both the health and safety of your home as a whole. You can be certain that your house is operating at its full potential and that it is creating a clean and risk-free environment for you and your loved ones if you take the necessary precautions to maintain your plumbing system and keep your pipes clean. Here are some ways to do it.
Ways how to keep pipes clean at home
1. Avoid Grease
If you pour hot grease or oil down your drain, it could look like it’s getting washed away, but as it cools, it hardens and clings to the inside of your pipes. To prevent this from happening, you should avoid pouring other things down your drains as well, such as other oils and greases. This can lead to obstructions and a buildup of traffic.
In a similar manner, some items, such as coffee grounds, eggshells, and spaghetti, can clog your pipes and create difficulties if they are allowed to build there. It is imperative that waste such as grease, oil, and food be thrown away in the garbage rather than down the drain in order to avoid this problem.
2. Use a drain screen
Put screens or strainers in your sink and shower drains to prevent debris from falling down. Screens or strainers for your drains are a simple and low-cost solution for preventing hair, soap scum, and other debris from making their way down your drains. These things have the potential to accumulate over time and produce blockages in your pipes, which can result in sluggish drainage and backups. It is possible to capture these items and then effortlessly remove them from your pipes if you install a screen or strainer. This will keep your pipes free from debris.
3. Hot water helps
Regularly running hot water down your drains will help dissolve and wash away any built-up oil, soap scum, and other debris. If you run hot water through your drains, you should do this every few days. It is a good practice to run hot water through the sink of your kitchen after you have finished washing the dishes, as well as through the sinks of your shower and bathroom after each usage. If you want the greatest possible outcomes, you should let the hot water flow for a few minutes so that it can reach all of the different portions of your pipes.
4. Plunger comes in handy
A plunger is a basic instrument that may be used to remove small blockages in your sinks, showers, and toilets. If you have any obstructions in your drains, you should use a plunger to clean them. When using a plunger, you must first ensure that there is sufficient water in the sink or toilet bowl to completely submerge the rubber cup of the plunger. Suction may be created by positioning the plunger over the drain opening and vigorously pumping it up and down many times. This might assist loosen any obstructions in your pipes and remove them completely.
5. Drain snake for stubborn clogs
If a plunger is not successful in clearing a clog, you may need to use a drain snake or auger to remove the obstruction. If a plunger is not successful in removing a clog, you may need to use a drain snake or auger. Blockages in your pipes may be broken up and removed with the help of these tools, which can be placed into the pipes. An auger is a motorized piece of equipment that can spin a long cable with a cutting tip at the end, whereas a drain snake is a long, flexible wire that may be manually put into your pipes. A drain snake is also known as a pipe snake. It is recommended that only a trained plumber or someone with previous expertise with plumbing tools use these tools.
6. Natural cleaning solution
To clean your drains naturally, try using a cleaning solution that consists of baking soda and vinegar, for example:
Baking soda and vinegar are two natural products that may be used as an alternative to draining cleaners that contain harmful chemicals. In order to utilize this technique, first pour one cup of baking soda down your drain, and then immediately after that, pour one cup of vinegar down it. This will assist to loosen any debris that may be stuck in your pipes when the fluid begins to froth and boil. When the combination has been allowed to settle for a few minutes, it will be flushed with hot water.
7. Consider professional plumbing services
If you continue to experience clogs or your drainage is moving at a snail’s pace, it may be time to hire a professional plumber. The removal of tenacious clogs and buildup in your pipes may need the use of specialist equipment, like as hydro-jetting machinery, which is only available to licensed plumbers. They are also able to evaluate your pipes for any damage or wear and tear that may have occurred over time and may require maintenance or repair. If you hire a professional plumbing firm, they can assist you in ensuring that your pipe system is well-maintained and operating at its optimal level.
How to keep pipes clean FAQs
How do you clean pipes naturally?
Baking soda, vinegar, and water that has been brought to a boil are all-natural ways to assist clean drains, but if you have very stubborn clogs, you may need something more powerful, such as Liquid-Plumr, to completely clear them out.
How often should you clean your plumbing pipes?
About once every 18 to 22 months, you should have the pipes in your plumbing system clean. If you are already on this sort of cleaning routine and you are encountering issues with your plumbing, then it is possible that you will need to call a plumber and arrange an inspection of your pipes.
Final Words
In conclusion, avoiding clogs, backups, and pricey repairs requires regular cleaning and maintenance of indoor plumbing systems. Many plumbing problems can be avoided with the preventative measures described below. Keep grease and other solids from going down the drain by installing drain screens or strainers, running hot water regularly, and clearing any blockages with a plunger or drain snake.
Always seek the advice of a professional plumber if you are unclear on how to maintain your pipes or if you have ongoing plumbing problems. Keeping up with routine plumbing maintenance is an easy way to guarantee that the water and waste systems in your house are always flowing as efficiently as possible.
