Drains are not something we tend to think about all that much, until they become blocked and start to smell. But if you want to avoid costly repairs in future, there are things you can do to keep them running well.
Trap debris
A simple and cost-effective tip is to buy drain covers for your sinks. In the kitchen, these can help trap leftover food and prevent it going into the drain, and in the bathroom, they can trap hair and stop it clogging up in the pipe.
These come in various materials and colours to match your sink and are available in lots of places. Be sure to clean them regularly to keep them working perfectly.
Deal with blockages
If you have a small blockage, you can probably clear it yourself and you don’t need any tools. Pour a cup of bicarbonate of soda into the drain and follow through with a flush of vinegar.
When the blockage is more severe and has built up over a long period of time, you may not be able to clear it and may struggle to know what’s causing it. In this case, it can be a good idea to get a CCTV drain survey, which means using flexible cameras to see into the pipes. If you require a CCTV drain survey Coventry, companies such as https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/coventry/ can explain how it works and how they can help.
Bin it rather than throw it in the sink
In the kitchen, be careful not to throw food scraps, tea or coffee grounds and especially fat into the sink. Make sure you thoroughly scrape all your plates into the bin before rinsing.
Flush away
Make sure you only put toilet paper and human waste down the loo, as anything else can quickly lead to clogs. Even so-called flushable wipes should be avoided.
Call a professional
If a nasty odour is lingering and you have stagnant water which doesn’t drain, or you can hear a gurgling noise, it might be time to call in a pro.