Just as your body requires attention to prevent illness and maintain health, so does your home – especially when it comes to ensuring your home’s main drain system keeps on doing its job. What comes in must go out, and half of plumbing is about getting rid of waste. Drains, waste, and vents – commonly called the DWV system – are the last visible and least glamorous elements of your home’s plumbing. The trunk of the DWV tree is the soil stack; all drains and vents feed into it.
Here is some preventive maintenance steps that will help you guard against future problems with your home’s main drain.
Kitchen Sink
Reduce the amount of cooking grease and fats going down the drain.
Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.
Use a degreaser regularly to prevent grease and sludge build-ups.
Garbage Disposer
Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper usage.
Run ample water before, during and after disposer use.
If the garbage disposer is not functioning properly, depress the unit reset button, typically located at the bottom of the unit.
Bathroom Sink
Run ample water washing soap, shaving cream and toothpaste down the drain.
Use degreasers or enzymes to prevent build-up of body oils and soap residue.
Tub or Shower
Install strainer to catch hair and foreign objects.
Use degreasers or enzymes to prevent build-up of body oils and soap residue
Toilet
Avoiding storing or placing small objects on the toilet tank or around the toilet.
Keep the seat cover closed.
Laundry
Keep your washer’s lint trap clean.
Install a lint catcher on the laundry drain hose and clean it regularly.
Use degreasers or enzymes to prevent build-up of body oils and soap residue.
Water Heater
Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper use.
Drain regularly according to manufacturer recommendations.
Inspect for signs of leakage and rust.
Listen for unusual noises.
Because it’s really never seen, your home’s drain can easily be forgotten. That is, until it’s not working properly! If it did get clogged and found you now have an overflow… Contact ServiceMasterac.com to clean and sanitize. 610-374-1881
