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 A clogged drain can be frustrating and inconvenient. Because the typical household relies on water for washing, cooking, and bathing, it's important to maintain your plumbing systems so they continue to work properly. To help keep your home's drains flowing, consider these important proactive measures.

Ways to Prevent Clogged Drains

1. Avoid Flushing Certain Items

Baby wipes, sanitary napkins, and paper towels are among the top items that can clog toilets, so avoid flushing these. Many products will indicate on their packages if they should be flushed or not. Take a second or two to read the instructions to prevent clogged drains.

2. Keep Drains Grease-Free

It may be tempting, but fight the urge to pour oil, grease, or any type of fat down the drain. Over time, the materials can congeal and adhere to the inside of plumbing. The result? Water won't freely flow through, and backups are likely to occur. When you’re done cooking with oil, let it cool, pour it into a can, put the can in a bag, tie it in knot, and discard the whole thing.

3. Install Sink Strainers

clogged drainSink strainers are relatively inexpensive and go a long way towards preventing clogged drains. Place them in your kitchen sinks to keep food and bulky items from going down the plumbing. The strainers are also ideal in bathroom sinks and tubs to catch hair, soap particles, and other blockage-causing materials.

4. Be Careful With the Garbage Disposal

While garbage disposals are designed to grind up food to keep drains from clogging, there are a few extra maintenance steps you should take. Don’t wash down bones, coffee grounds, oils, or grease, and throw eggshells and fruit and vegetable pits and seeds in the trash. All of these items can wreak havoc on a garbage disposal's parts and cause the entire system to shut down. 
 
 
No one wants to deal with the headache of a clogged drain. However, if any of your home's plumbing experiences backups and other slowdowns, make Murphy's Plumbing Services in Mebane, NC, your first call. The team of experienced and licensed plumbers has the extensive training to tackle all types of repairs. For free estimates and details on setting up a maintenance schedule, call (919) 563-5165. Visit the website for information on the full lineup of available services. 
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