Emergency Plumber in Portland

The number one issue that causes an emergency call to a plumber is a blocked drain. However, there are a few things that you can do, to avoid having this happen in your home. I’ll even admit that I tend to do some of these very same things and I’ve had to change my habits as well.  I’d rather not need to call an emergency plumber in Portland if I could avoid it in the first place.

One of the biggest culprits to clogged drains is kitchen grease. After you’ve finished cooking on the stove, and the grease is still hot, it is so tempting and easy to just pour it down the drain. But DON’T DO IT! The grease will congeal as it flows down your pipes attaching itself to the insides. Even using hot water to rinse it down will not stop some of it sticking here and there. Over time this continues to build up and eventually it will restrict the flow of water. This could eventually trap other debris which will clog the drain.

Emergency plumber in Portland

Ok, then I’ll flush it down the toilet instead. That’s just as bad as doing it from the kitchen sink. You will have the same results from either location. And the toilet is the last thing you want to be backing up from a clog in the pipe. The best way to dispose of kitchen grease is to collect it into a can and then throw it out with the garbage. This will keep your pipes clean and clog free.

Another common contributor to clogged pipes are coffee grounds. Coffee grounds have the tendancy to stick in the pipes and over time it will build up enough to restrict water flow. Running the garbage dispoal with the grounds in it will not make it any better. And speaking of garbage disposals, whenever you run it, run it with cold water instead of hot. This serves two purposes. One: it helps keep the motor, bearings and shredder assembly from overheating. It also moves the ground debris through the pipe easier. Two: hot water can melt fat and grease, which then could potentially re-solidify further down in the pipes causing a blockage that could require a professional to remove.

Another common cause of clogged pipes is foreign materials falling into the drain. It’s a good idea to place a screen or a filter over drains where you could drop something in accidentally. For instance in the bathroom, you could drop hair pins, earrings or other small objects into the sink. The screen will keep these items from going down the drain. Screens over shower drains can help collect hair and other fibers that could eventually cause a clog. By cleaning these filters regularly, it will help save you some problems down the road. Also, keep the toilet lid closed to avoid objects falling in or little children from flushing objects down the drain.  Plus, it will keep the emergency plumber in portland from having to make a visit.

Preventative meansures to avoid calling an emergency plumber in Portland

One preventative measure that you can do to help keep the drains clear, is to pour boiling water down the drain every-so-often. If you do this with your regular cleaning schedule, it will help loosen any build-up that might be taking place and prevent problems in the future. You should do this from each sink in the house.

If you try to incorporate some of the ideas above into your household, you’ll go a long way towards not having to call in a plumber to solve an emergency.  However, if you have a problem, it’s better to reach out to an emergency plumber in Portland before the problem gets worse.

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