As spring comes upon us, it is not just your closets that need cleaning. Your home plumbing system also needs a seasonal checkup to prevent blockages in the drain lines. Keeping your pipes clear is critical to making sure your plumbing system remains in good condition. Consider a few easy maintenance tips to help you give your plumbing system some TLC this spring.

Start With a Visual Inspection

Before you do anything else, look around your home for signs of potential problems. Check under sinks for leaks or moisture that can indicate a slow drain. In your bathrooms, look out for water that drains slowly after a shower or a toilet that gurgles when you flush it. These can be early signs that a blockage is forming somewhere inside your pipes or your sewer line.

Use Hot Water for Prevention

One of the simplest ways to prevent blockages is to pour boiling water down your drains once a week. The heat helps dissolve any fats, oils, or soaps that might be building up on the sides of your pipes. This is especially important for kitchen sinks, where cooking grease is often the culprit for clogs.

Try Natural Cleaners

Think about using natural options instead of strong chemical cleaners. When you mix baking soda and vinegar, it causes a reaction that can clear up small clogs. Start by putting half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then, add an equal amount of vinegar. Put a cover over the drain and let it sit for around an hour. After that, pour hot water down the drain to rinse everything out. This technique is usually safe for your pipes, and it’s a gentle method to help keep them free of blockages.

Check Your Vents

Your plumbing system vents play a vital role in ensuring water flows smoothly through your pipes. If these vents are blocked by debris, leaves, or even bird nests, the plug can slow down drainage and lead to blockages. Take a moment to check that all exterior plumbing vents are clear. If you are not sure how to do this safely, consider hiring a professional to take a look.

Be Careful About What Goes Down the Drain

Prevention is vital when it comes to maintaining clear pipes. Be careful about what you flush down your toilets as well as what you pour down your sinks. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste. In the kitchen, do not put food scraps, grease, or coffee grounds down the sink. Even with a garbage disposal, fibrous foods like celery or hard materials like eggshells can cause problems. Use drain strainers in showers and sinks to catch hair and other debris before it can enter your pipes.

When to Call a Professional

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might face a stubborn blockage that home remedies cannot clear. If you have tried everything and water still is not draining properly, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. They have the tools and expertise to quickly identify and solve the problem, whether it requires snaking the drain or more extensive repairs.

Spring is the perfect time to give your home plumbing system a thorough checkup and some TLC. So, this spring, make sure purging your pipes is on your cleaning to-do by contacting Total Care Plumbing for drain cleaning services in Grand Forks, ND.