One of the most annoying problems there is when it comes to the plumbing in our homes is slow drains. We run the water into the sinks or bathtubs and then it seems like it takes an eternity for the water to drain back out. This can be an even bigger problem in older homes that have plumbing pipes that have been used for years and years. If the issue gets annoying enough, we usually try to fix the problem our self first and if that fails to do the trick we end up calling in a plumber.

There are quite a few drain cleaners and clog removers on the market today and it is hard to say which one will work the best. One old fashioned way to help unclog a drain is by using a plunger. Sometimes they will work and sometimes not. It is good to keep one around, actually two, one for toilets and another for tubs and sinks. If you do end up calling a plumber to unclog a drain, this is something you will not want to have to do very often after you get the bill, so the smartest thing to do is prevent clogs in the first place.

Preventing clogs in the pipes that water drains out of is not that difficult when you take the necessary precautions. In the, one of the biggest mistakes made is pouring grease down the sink. If there is very much liquid or solid grease in a pot or pan, never pour it directly down the drain. You should always clean out all of the excess oil or grease into the garbage and then wash it. Even then you should use a degreasing dishwashing liquid and use very hot water while you wash the dish or pan. This helps the grease to wash all the way out of pipes instead of sticking to the sides as it goes through them.

Bathroom drain clogs and toilet clogs are very common. With the toilet, you should discourage your family from putting excessive amounts of toilet paper in at one time. If necessary, it is better to flush twice rather than once. Children will often use too much toilet paper and try to flush it all down at once and this can cause overflowing that no one wants to clean up. You can use a product designed for flushing down the toilet to help keep septic lines cleaner. This could help reduce the risk of clogs.

Sink, bathtub, and shower drains are usually clogged because of hair and soap build up in the water drains. You can reduce this clogging risk by making sure all of the drains have traps in them. They need to be cleaned out regularly to prevent nasty accumulation of top of the traps. If you still get clogs, remove the trap and use a drain cleaner.