Cleaning Drains

To avoid the most common household plumbing issue, take care to keep your drain unclogged. The number one culprit is the kitchen sink, as it is the most used drain in the house. Proper care and maintenance of this drain will prevent clogs & calls to the plumber.

Preventing Clogged Drains

To prevent a sink back-up, carefully monitor what you’re putting down the drain. One of the best courses of action you can take is to install a disposer for biodegradable food waste. Cocos Plumbing can provide you with more information on garbage disposers. Often, sink stoppages are caused by grease that is poured down the drain. Hot dishwater liquefies the grease, which gets left behind as it cools and travels down the drain toward the main sewer. As this process is repeated, the layers build. In addition, other waste particles like coffee grounds add to the layers, clogging the drain. To avoid clogs, dispose of excess grease in a tin can or other receptacle, instead of pouring it down the drain. If you use a garbage disposer, make sure to let plenty of cold water run to carry biodegradable particles all the way down smaller drains into the main sewer.

Removing the J-Bend

Another way to unclog a drain is to remove the J-Bend. Be careful when loosening the metal nuts that you don’t scratch or warp them. If you are working with plastic, do not grip the wrench too tightly to avoid breaking the plastic. A bucket under the sink will catch any excess water as you remove the J-trap. Have new gaskets on hand to create a tight seal when placing the J-bend back under the sink.