Some individuals don’t notice how much dirt and lint are in their clothes until the substances escape their washers and cause drain pipe overflow. Instead of waiting for a clog to form, you can take action by using products that keep substances from building up and preventing your washing machine’s water from properly draining. Protecting the plumbing in your Delaware home can prevent your laundry room from getting flooded and help you avoid drain clogs that grow larger, making them harder to break up.
Using a Lint Catcher
A great way to keep your washing machine’s drain pipe from clogging and overflowing is to use a lint catcher. Placing the lint catcher on the end of your drain pipe helps prevent debris from reaching the drain. You should change the lint catcher every month because a newer catcher can trap more dirt and debris. There are several different types of lint catchers available on the market, but metal mesh styles are one of the most popular since they are inexpensive and tend to catch more lint than fabric mesh varieties.
Snake Your Drain Often
Snaking your washing machine’s drain pipe on a regular basis can keep it from becoming clogged. An efficient way of snaking your drain is to use a plumber’s snake, pushing the coil’s tip repeatedly into the drain and breaking up any blockage. You can turn the handles of the plumber’s snake to get down deeper into the clog, which works well for a particularly stubborn blockage. Remember that the plumber’s snake should be the correct type and size so that you don’t injure yourself or damage your plumbing. If the clog is too large, requiring the attachment of the plumber’s snake to a drill, you may prefer contacting a licensed plumber to do the job.
Consider Using a Front-Loading Washing Machine
Some drain pipe overflows are not due to a clogged drain, but are instead caused by too much water hitting your drain pipe at once. A way you can avoid this problem is by using a front-loading washing machine. These washers require far less water than some other types, and the reduced amount of water they expel can keep your drain pipes from overflowing.
Treating Your Drain Pipe to Enzymes
Replacing your mesh lint catcher every month is an excellent reminder for you to treat your drain with enzymes that clean out your drain pipe. The enzymes treatment can effectively break down soap buildup, which causes pipes to drain slower as the buildup accumulates. Some drain pipe enzymes that contain bacteria are particularly successful at attacking soap buildup.
Drain pipe enzymes are available pre-mixed or require the addition of water. If you already have a significant clog, pour the liquid into your drain pipe and allow some time to let the treatment set. Whether you treat your pipe to enzymes for monthly maintenance or to dislodge a blockage, always run hot water into the pipe after adding the enzymes and repeat the process until the water drains quickly, indicating that the drain pipe is clear.
There are some simple ways you can keep your washing machine drain pipe from overflowing and flooding your laundry area. Lint catchers and drain pipe enzymes are inexpensive and can help water flow smoothly through your pipes. Clearing clogs caused by soap buildup and other debris can also keep your plumbing in great shape, allowing you to wash many loads of laundry without fearing the slow drainage and mess that can make laundry night a complicated chore.
Drain cleaning and maintenance performed by a professional plumber may be necessary for serious plumbing blockages and drain pipe overflows. First Class HVAC has been offering plumbing services for residents of Delaware and Maryland for over 40 years, including the removal of drain clogs and the installation of sewer line replacements. Contact us today for emergency plumbing services and get your drain pipes back in working order.