In need of some good drain cleaning tips? There are many good things about living in a rented apartment versus living in a house you own. As a renter, your role is limited to paying the rent on time and respecting the lease terms. You are not responsible for maintaining the home, paying for insurance, and many other things.
Another good thing about being a renter is that you have much flexibility. You can easily pack your stuff and move to another house if you no longer like your rented home. Furthermore, you can live in an upscale area; one that would typically be out of your reach if you had to buy a house there.
But it is not all roses and sunshine when you are renting. As a renter, you must protect the landlord’s property. You must maintain the structures and systems of the home in the state where you found them when you moved in. Failing to do this can cost you much money.
One of the systems in your rented apartment that you must pay attention to is the network of drainpipes in the house. Drains are essential for carrying wastewater out of the house. Keeping them in good condition is vital to enjoy the home and protect the owner’s property.
This is why you should know the “dos” and the “don’ts” of using the drainage system in that rented home. What are the things you should never flush into the drains? What should you do if one of the drains in the house is blocked? These questions are answered below.
Drain cleaning tips for renters
Although there are a few corrective measures in the list, most tips below are preventive. The reason is simple; it is easier to prevent drain clogs than to clear a clogged drain.
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Do not flush FOGs down the sink
FOGs are fats, oils, and grease; pouring these into the sink is a convenient way to eliminate used oil or leftover greasy foods. But doing that increases the chances that the home’s drains will get clogged.
FOGs congeal when they get cold; that liquid oil becomes a hard mass that will block the flow of water and debris inside the drainpipes. FOGs can also stick to the drainpipes’ sides, creating a sticky surface that traps debris and facilitates blockages. The best way to get rid of FOGs is to dump them in a grease storage container for disposal in the trash.
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Don’t let these forbidden items enter the drain
The fact is that many items labeled “flushable” by their manufacturers are not flushable at all. They will remain inside the drainpipes and cause unnecessary problems. Here is a list of items that should never find their way into the drainage system of your rented apartment; baby wipes, paper napkins, dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, female hygiene products, paint thinners, pills, coffee grinds, eggshells and starchy foods (rice and mashed potatoes).
Do not flush any of these items down the toilet or sink. The only things that should go into the toilet are human waste.
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Install strainers in drain openings
Keeping unwanted stuff out of the home’s drains is almost impossible, no matter how careful you are. For instance, there is nothing you can do to keep hairs out of your shower drains. You may want to know that hair inside drainpipes is one of the biggest causes of blockages.
This problem is easily prevented by having strainers over the drain opening to catch hair and keep it out of the drains. You should also have filters over sink drain openings. Strainers don’t cost much money, but they can prevent headaches.
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Avoid chemical drain cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are a quick and easy way to eliminate drain clogs. But what makes drain cleaners suitable is also what makes them very harmful. Drain cleaners contain corrosives capable of eating away the material clogging the drainpipes and opening the drains.
The problem is that chemical drain cleaners do not distinguish between the debris inside the pipes and the material of the pipes. With the consistent use of chemical drain cleaners, the pipes weaken over time, making them more likely to leak. Drain cleaners also contain noxious gases that are harmful if you inhale them.
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Safely clean your drains with these solutions
A plunger is the number one item for clearing clogs from your drains. Plungers are cheap, easy to use, and very effective. You can easily remove the toilet and sink clogs using the right plunger.
A safe way to get rid of clogs inside your drainpipes is to pour boiling water into the drain opening and follow it with half a cup of baking soda. After a few minutes, you can pour more boiling water into the drain, but this time mix with a cup of vinegar.