Keeping the drains clean is one of the types of routine home maintenance that can provide you with the most noticeable benefits. Luckily, this process will likely not be especially difficult for homeowners as long as they are aware of some basic drain maintenance tips that can apply to every house.

Clean The Drains With Baking Soda And Vinegar

An easy way to help remove debris and grease from the interior of the drains will be through the use of a small amount of baking soda and vinegar. The fizzing action that will occur when these materials are combined can be strong enough to scrub some of these materials free from the pipes. When using this option, you will want to avoid using too much baking soda as it could lead to a clog occurring itself. Furthermore, the drain should be rinsed thoroughly after doing this so that any remaining vinegar or baking soda is removed.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Odors can be another issue that will be a constant problem for drains. These odors develop due to bacteria that grow in the drains and release gas or other byproducts. Apple cider vinegar can be an effective and fairly gentle way of neutralizing most of these bacteria while also providing a pleasant scent. Generally, you can dilute the apple cider vinegar and still retain much of this effectiveness, but you should always mix it with hot water. This can help to loosen grease or other materials that could cause odors. Furthermore, you will likely need to do this every few weeks for the best effect. Otherwise, too much bacteria may start growing to be addressed with this option.

Know When To Use Professional Drain Cleanings

A home's drains will periodically need to be professionally cleaned to remove all of the bacteria and other materials that may be in the drains. This can be especially true for homeowners that have a garbage disposal as these appliances can substantially increase the amount of organic matter that enters the drains. A professional drain cleaning service will be able to quickly and effectively clean the interior of the drains. Having the drains cleaned once every year or two will be sufficient for most homes. However, those that live in older homes may need this done more frequently as the drains and plumbing systems for these homes may be older and more prone to clogs or other complications due to debris collecting.