Preventing a clogged drain may seem like a “pipe dream,” but you can do a few things to avoid the hassle of a clogged drain.

Whether it’s the shower, kitchen, or toilet here are three things you can do to keep clogs from happening.

1.    Don’t Flush It/Drain It

Many products on the market claim to be flushable, but this is not the case. There are also things you may think are okay to rinse down the drain, but they may not break down in water and will end up causing a back-up or clog in your system.

A few things to avoid flushing or rinsing down the drain include:

  • Baby Wipes
  • Paper Towels
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Facial Tissues
  • Paint
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Produce Stickers

If it isn’t toilet paper or something that will break down in water just skip flushing it and don’t rinse it down the drain.

2.    Implement Mesh Traps

Catching items before they can go down the drain is a great way to avoid clogging the system. Mesh traps, especially in the shower, will help catch hair clogs. It may be unpleasant cleaning out these traps but is much less unpleasant than a clogged drain and unexpected plumbing bill.

3.    Maintain the System

Most people don’t think of having their plumbing system checked. However, there are a lot of reasons to have a professional conduct a regular drain cleaning and system check. Drain cleaning will ensure your home’s pipes are in working condition. Additionally, drain cleaning will provide:

  • Longer drain lifespan.
  • Prevention of odors.
  • Ensuring quick drainage.
  • Elimination of unnecessary repairs and expenses.

Drain cleaning and inspection will also verify there are no other issues that can cause problems, like root intrusion or pipe erosion. Clogs can’t be predicted, but they can be caught before they become a major problem.

Call TR Miller When You Need a Plumber

We’ll do all we can to get to you fast to carry out plumbing repairs to the highest standard. No matter what you need, or where you are in the area, we’ll give you our best attention at all times. In addition to plumbing repairs and installation, we can also assist with plumbing maintenance. Call us if this is something we can assist with.

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller

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