Your home plumbing system works like a stomach. If you keep pouring down the drain substances that are supposed to be poured elsewhere, the pipes underneath your home will get constipated. The next thing you know, the drain is clogged or worse yet backing up hard water into your home. Some plumbing companies in Edmonton explain to their clients what’s going on inside the pipes and eventually teach them the correct use of the drain.

Wear and Erosion

Drainpipes can be made from a variety of materials, including copper, cast iron, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), and plastic. No matter the type of material, however, these pipes are prone to wear and erosion. Besides the pressure produced by the running fluids they convey, the chemical composition of those fluids has a significant effect on the pipes’ properties. Potent chemicals like hydrochloric acid, which is a chief component of most drain cleaning agents, are among the best examples.

Oil Buildup

A lot of homeowners treat their sinks like a bin. They throw all sorts of liquid waste into it, thinking that they will all end up in the sewer and into treatment plants. One of the most common types of liquid waste poured down the drain is oil or grease.

Unlike the daily garbage collected and thrown to municipal dumpsites, some of the grease, which is supposed to reach treatment plants, gets stuck in the drainpipes. Over time, the fats in grease break down into their major components and eventually mix up with other substances, forming a thick paste that keeps other fluids from passing through.

Icing

While most residential drainpipes are stashed underground or within building walls, some of them, particularly those that are located in exposed areas are prone to freezing during the cold months. When this happens, the drain gets clogged.

The simplest solution is to pour hot water with salt into the drain or heat the section with the frozen fluid using a heating unit or blower. Just avoid abruptly applying extreme heat onto the pipes to prevent the pipes from expanding too quickly, which can later break open and burst.

To ensure that your sink will remain functional throughout the year, regardless of the season, take note of the best practices when dealing with foodstuff, grease, and chemicals. Use a separate container to collect and dispose of these substances. This way you can keep the chemicals from ending up in the drainpipes and sewers.

It will also greatly help to call in professional drain cleaners to clean and maintain your drain every now and then. They can remove grease buildup as well as determine whether or not you need some pipes replaced. They are your best bet for a clog-free drain throughout the year.