The expression “out of sight, out of mind” certainly applies to the drains for your toilets, shower, and bathroom and kitchen sinks. That is until you have to deal with the inconvenience of a clogged drain. If you can’t keep your drains healthy, then everything else – spending time with family and friends, working in a home office or online learning for the kids – may have to be put on hold.

Lee Company has received an increased number of calls about plumbing problems in recent months. Even as life returns to normal, many of us still spend more time at home and use our plumbing system more frequently. Fortunately, with a little forethought, a lot of plumbing issues can be avoided. Others can be taken care of with regular drain maintenance or quick DIY fix.

Of course, if you have a serious plumbing issue or aren’t a DIY person, Lee Company is as close as a phone call. In an emergency, we’re here for you 24/7.

Here are some answers to your questions and expert tips from our plumbing pros about keeping your drains clear and preventing a clogged drain pipe.

Why is my garbage disposal clogged?

Your disposal might not be the problem. It’s the drain. Even if your disposal can grind them up, some foods should never go in it. Fibrous or stringy fruit and vegetable peels, grease, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, nuts, and eggshells can cause a clog. Toss them in the trash or compost them instead. You might think that a garbage disposal can handle tons of food at once. This isn’t true. If you dump too much food down at once, it won’t properly chop large portions. This can cause your garbage disposal to clog or break.

Why isn’t my bathroom sink draining?

Strands of hair, soap, toothpaste, shaving gel, and makeup can build up over time. Don’t wash the debris from your morning and evening routine down the drain. Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe out the sink. A sink stopper can also prevent hair, soap, and other debris from entering the drain before it causes a blockage.

What’s safe to flush?

Be careful what you toss in the toilet. Paper towels and napkins are designed to be sturdy and won’t break down in water like toilet paper. The same goes for bathroom wipes and moist towels. Even if the label says they are flushable, they can cause a clogged drain pipe. Cotton balls, facial tissue, and other personal care products can cause plumbing issues, too. Toss all of these items in the trash.

Why does my drain stink?

If it smells like rotten eggs, it’s probably sewer gas. When a drain isn’t used for a while, the water in the P-trap (the gooseneck bend in the pipe under the sink) can evaporate. That allows sewer gases to waft up through the clogged drain. Running some water and refilling the P-trap blocks the gases and gets rid of the odor.

It’s common for residue from food scraps and soap to build up in your drain pipes over time. This can become a major problem when sludge collects on the inside walls of your plumbing attracting bacteria. If too much residue builds up, your sink might start to smell or get clogged. In this case, you should call a professional plumber to fix the problem.

If you don’t run enough water each time you dump food down the sink, rotting food can get stuck in the garbage disposal causing a smelly sink drain. To fix the smell, try cleaning it out with coarse salt, ice cubes, cold water, and lemon peels. If you still have a bad drain smell, it might be time to call a professional like Lee Company.

How can I clean my drains?

Routinely cleaning your drains can prevent problems. First, pour some hot water down the drain. Next, combine a ½ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of table salt and pour it slowly down the drain. Follow that with a cup of white vinegar. After a few minutes, add some more hot water.

The mixture of baking soda and vinegar releases carbon dioxide. The bubbling reaction helps loosen debris from the pipe, and the hot water washes it away. Knowing how to clean drains properly prevents more serious plumbing problems.

Or you can call Lee Company. Our expert plumbing technicians use an environmentally friendly cleaning enzyme that is tough on buildup. Using our service regularly can preserve the life of your pipes and keep them clear.

How do I use a plunger?

You should have two types of plungers: A cup plunger for the sink and bathtub drains and a flange plunger for the toilet. Position the bell of the plunger over the drain, making sure it is completely underwater. Gently push down to force out any air. Then give it several quick thrusts for about 20 seconds.

The blockage should be gone, but you may need professional help if it isn’t.

What if a clog won’t go away?

If you have persistent clogs or water collecting in your crawl space or basement, your plumbing system’s mainline may need to be cleaned out – and that’s a job for our experts.

Lee Company’s trained plumbers install a permanent pipe coming up from your mainline so they can easily access the line with a camera. With a visual inspection, we can often determine why the backup occurred and how to remedy it for good so you can preserve clean drains.

Our skilled plumbers use our visual findings technology to capture pictures and videos of their work. We include a link to the footage on your service ticket so you have a visual record of the problem and the repair.

What’s the best way to clean cast-iron pipes?

Many homes built before 1960 have cast-iron plumbing. It breaks more easily than today’s PVC or copper pipes, so don’t take chances. Call Lee Company.

We have the know-how and equipment to do the job right without damaging your pipes. Safe, professional cleaning is a lot cheaper than replacing broken pipes.

Plus, you could save money. Check out our promotions.

If you have cast-iron plumbing, it could be time for a house repiping.

Can you be here soon?

Yes, we can. Your plumbing emergency is our priority. That’s why our skilled technicians are available 24/7, including holidays and weekends.

Our plumbing service technicians have the expertise, technology, and equipment to keep your drains healthy and tackle the toughest plumbing problems.

Contact us today!