Plumbers Stratford CT: Tips to Prevent Clogs and Pipe Damage

Prevention is the best tool when it comes to maintaining your plumbing system at home in a tip-top shape. We here at Connecticut Sewer Rooter & Drain Cleaning have witnessed on many occasions how anything can go wrong and how jobs can become costly due to stupidity and thinking that it can be done that way. Being the trusted plumbers Stratford CT we hope to help the homeowners to stay a tad ahead of the problems before they can develop into serious plumbing problems.

Clogs usually begin rather small and the components forming the clog are the things that we use daily such as food scraps, grease or even hair accumulating gradually in the pipes. This eventually clogs the waterways and this makes them drain slowly, back up or even burst.

Another usual source of trouble is toilets. Not everyone understands that trying to dispose of such items as wipes, paper towels or hygiene products through flushing (even if marked as flushable) creates severe blockages. Toilets are made to carry only toilet paper and human excreta. Otherwise it should be thrown in the dustbin.

Besides watching what you pour or flush, a maintenance area is a lengthy way of ensuring that your plumbing system is unhurt. To eliminate minor blockage, drains can be periodically flushed using hot water. However, when you notice slow drains or stench, this is the indication that you should call a licensed plumber.

 

Why Prevention Matters

Plumbing emergencies happen to be ones in which our line of work responds that could have been prevented by simple changes in habits or a quick maintenance call. There are numerous homeowners who operate their drains right until hardly any water flows down, or might even wait until water begins appearing where it shouldn’t. Plumbing systems problems rarely occur suddenly; rather, they build up across time. The sooner one takes action, the less damage there will be to deal with. 

People often ask us, “How do I know if a clog is forming?” One of the first signs is a slow drain that keeps slowing down in increments. Another unusual indication is the bubbling sound from the toilet or a strange smell from the sink. All these indicate something may be blocking the line, and one should heed these warnings and get it fixed before it turns into a backup.

Tip #1: Be Savvy, What You Put Down the Drain

Among the best causes of clog is what individuals put into the drain without consideration. At kitchens, it is normally grease, coffee grains and eggshells and food wastes. It is the hair, loofah and other hygienic products in bathrooms. The wipes that are termed as flushable can result in serious blockages, even after some time.

We were asked once by a Stratford homeowner, I have a garbage disposal, why would I need anything else? Garbage disposal aids in food pulverization, and yet it never goes away. This food can still enter your plumbing and cling on the walls of your pipes, especially when it is combined with grease. It is advisable to wipe food off in garbage and the only allowed fluids to go down the drain are water and soap.

Tip #2: Chemical drain cleaners are to be avoided

The temptation is to pour a bottle of drain cleaner down a slow working drain and wait and see what happens. However, a majority of these products contain harsh chemicals which may destroy your pipes particularly when they are used extensively. They could possibly remove some superficial clog but certainly they do not get to the deeper accumulation which leads to long-term problems.

We will never have to stop telling customers in Stratford, A professional drain cleaning is safer, more efficient and long lasting. At CT Sewer Rooter we would use tools such as Drain snakes and hydro jet to clear off the walls of the pipe but this would in no way damage your system. This implies that the clogs are not recurrent.

Tip #3: Putting Screens on Drains

Drain screens are a very simple and inexpensive way to prevent hair, food, and other debris from happening to fall down the drains. They fit just over a sink, tub, or shower drain and grab onto whatever items come through before they enter the pipe.

One local customer said to me, “Does a screen really make any difference?” Absolutely, they do. They keep away much of the stuff that clogs drains, especially in houses with pets or long hair. Keep your screens clean, and your pipes will stay cleaner much longer.

Tip #4: Hot Water Flush

Run hot water at least weekly down the drains to melt grease and soap buildup. For more cleaning power, let a baking soda and vinegar mixture sit in the drain before flushing it with hot water. This will not disintegrate massive clogs but will deter the sticky build-up that causes drain slowdowns. 

Isn’t hot water bad for PVC pipes? From time to time, we hear people question. Boiling water is not recommended for PVC pipes, but regular hot tap water is totally safe to flush down and clean up through the drainage system.

Tip #5: Knowing The Age and Material of Your Pipes

A lot of old houses in Stratford still maintain cast iron and/or clay pipes, which tend to corrode, crack, or collapse. If your house is over 40 years old and you have never had a camera inspection, then perhaps it is time now. Then, we can check for weak spots, cracks, or some tree root damage before something breaks.

People often ask if they could know the type of pipe they have. The simplest way is to get a camera inspection booked with a licensed Stratford plumber. Even in non-Latin American English, CT Sewer Rooter uses video tools to perform inspection from the inside out—and show you exactly what is happening.

Tip #6: Keep Tree Roots Away From Sewer Lines

Roots are amongst some of the most common culprits of sewer line damage in Stratford. Roots go to find the moisture. And if a minuscule crack exists on the pipe, they will grow inside it and block the flow. Once inside, they trap debris that causes backup affecting the whole house.  

A homeowner once asked, “Can’t I just go ahead and cut the roots and be done with it?” Well, you can but your pipes will be back again unless you repair those pipes or put up a barrier. Oftentimes they can be helped with hydro jetting and some root killing solution.

Tip #7: Do Not Ignore the First Signs of Trouble

If the sink and shower begin to drain slowly, one should never wait till they stop draining altogether. It will be much easier and cost-effective to treat a minor clog than to go for the treatment of a full blockage. The same goes for those minuscule leaks-each little drip may mean several hundreds of gallons of water lost in a year, which at the same time can cause water damage or lead to mold.

We tell all our customers in Stratford, “If you see water where it should not be, or if something smells weird, call her now; do not procrastinate.” You will be saving peace of mind and some good money down the road.

Tip #8: Organize Plumbing Maintenance Reviews

Similar to the heating or air system, a plumbing system ought to be checked at least once a year. Licensed plumbers doing checks for drains, water lines, and the sewer system once a year can open issues up and remedy them early on.

We have had queries from our customers before: “Is it really worth it if nothing’s wrong?” Yes, it really is. It pays to maintain your system regularly to avoid emergencies. It also keeps your plumbing system from hanging on a bit longer, therefore, keeping your home running without any hiccups.

 

Need Help? Call the Stratford Plumbers You Can Trust.

Whatever it is, be it a slow drain, bad odor, or strange gurgling or a backup of the highest order, we’re your service. Connecticut Sewer Rooter & Drain Cleaning is a local expert caller in drain, sewer, and pipe troubles.

We are available 24/7, working on nights, weekends, and even holidays. Or feel free to use our website to schedule an appointment or ask for a free quote.

Your house deserves plumbing that works right, and a plumber who puts you first. When dependable plumbing services are needed in Stratford CT, there’s one name to remember.