Dealing with a clogged drain is unfortunately something many people have to deal with. Did you know that most of these clogs can be avoided with a few simple preventative measures?

The main culprit of most bathroom clogs is hair. Human hair and pet hair get washed down the drain as we shampoo and condition, leading to a buildup over time. Dealing with this backup leads to a lot of frustration on your part, and may result in having to call in a plumber to fix the issue, costing you an unnecessary expense as well.

We’ve listed below a few steps you can take to prevent these clogs from ever happening in the first place.

Use Hair Catchers to Prevent Hair from Going Down the Drain

The easiest and most simple way to prevent hair from ever getting stuck in the drain is by placing a hair catcher in the drain. These catchers work wonders at reducing the amount of gunk and debris that makes its way down the drain.
This small apparatus is placed inside the drain opening to catch debris and hair strands before they are washed into your plumbing system. Professional plumbers recommend installing one in every tub and shower drain in your home. You’ll need to remove the hair after each bath or shower so that it continues to work properly.
You should also brush your hair before you shower or bathe, helping to catch loose hair. Excess hair goes in the trash, not into the drain. Covering hair with a shower cap is also helpful.

If you bathe your furry friend in the tub, giving them a good brushing prior to bathing wil help remove extra hair. Pets, especially dogs, get dirt and mud all over so try to remove any dirt clumps from their fur before putting them in the tub. When the weather is warm enough, you should try to bathe your pet outside. Smaller pets can be washed in a baby tub with water that can be tossed outside instead of going down the drain pipes.

Regularly Flush Drains

While installing a hair catcher works wonders at blocking most debris and hair from ever getting into your plumbing system, they don’t catch any oils that are washed down. Residue from soap, shampoo, conditioners, body wash and the natural oils in your skin will still get rinsed away and can lead to a build up over time, clogging your drain.

  • Weekly
    By flushing your drains weekly, you can help prevent your shower or tub drain from becoming clogged. Simply boil a pot or kettle of water, then pour half down the drain. Wait for about five minutes, then pour down the other half. This should help loosen any gunk that’s clinging to your drain pipes. Always use caution when pouring boiling water down the drain.
  • Monthly
    Once a month, you should pour one or two tablespoons of regular table salt directly into the drain. Pour in ¼ cup of white vinegar and allow to sit in the drain without disturbing for one hour. When the hour is up, run hot water into the drain for ten minutes. For best results, repeat once.
    For clogs that don’t easily wash away after this treatment, pour ¼ cup of Borax into the drain after the salt, and repeat the steps above.
  • Every three months
    Pour a large, full bottle of white vinegar down the drain. Let it sit for fifteen minutes and follow up with a pot or kettle of boiling water. Repeat every three months to prevent hair and debris from building up in the drain.

Use a Professional Drain Cleaner

If after trying at home methods the clog still won’t rinse away, you should use a professional drain cleaner. Powerplay Hair & Grease Clog Buster is a professional grade drain cleaner uniquely formulated to cut through common clogs caused by hair, grease, food, organic matter and soap scum. This pro-grade strength drain opener was developed for residential or industrial use. Pour 16 fl. oz. (1/4 bottle) of the product into the drain, allow it to work for 10 minutes and then flush with warm water. Repeat steps if necessary. This product is safe for use in sinks, tubs and showers. Do not use with a plunger, in the toilet, urinals or garbage disposals.

At Danco, we understand that drain care can be a constant battle. Our PowerPlay™ product line offers four powerful options specifically engineered to clear clogged drains in any home. Visit our website today to learn more!