Summer is the perfect season for many fun activities we don’t do as frequently at other times of the year. Outdoor barbecues, camping, and beach trips are some things we enjoy here in the Pacific Northwest.
Summer also brings a host of plumbing issues that people don’t experience during other times of the year. Also, just having more family members at home during the day can make demands on your plumbing system that it isn’t used to.
Let’s go over four examples of summertime activities that might result in the need for drain cleaning in Olympia, WA.
Beach, Camping, and Hiking Trips
Summer is a great opportunity to get out and about in nature. Unfortunately, a lot of “nature” makes its way home with you in the form of sand and dirt. You may be tempted to rinse the dirt from those muddy hiking boots and sand from your beach shoes in your bathtub or bathroom sink, but that’s not a good idea.
Although sand and mud might seem like tiny particles that’ll go down the drains easily, clogs can arise when this debris sticks to existing debris that’s already in the pipes. Soap scum, hair, and dirt in the drains will attract the sand and dirt and can lead to the development of a clog that’s big enough to affect drainage.
Instead of using your indoor plumbing to clean up after a camping or beach trip, use a garden hose to rinse these items off outside. Your drains will thank you for it!
Barbecues and Holiday Parties
Summer is the ideal time of year for cooking outside. It’s also the season for eating particular foods that aren’t consumed as much during the rest of the year. Although foods such as Rainier cherries, watermelon, corn on the cob, and chicken wings are delicious, they also can contribute to drain blockages when not disposed of properly.
Cherry pits, watermelon rinds, corn cobs, and bones are things that you never want to put down the kitchen sink. Even if you have a garbage disposal, it’s not strong enough to dispose of tough items like these.
Be sure to instruct your family members about what should and shouldn’t go down the drain. If you’re having guests over for a 4th of July or Labor Day BBQ, make sure these items aren’t being dropped down the drain when you’re not looking. A post-it note above the sink can serve as a gentle reminder of what shouldn’t go down the disposal.
Gardening Tasks
If you have a green thumb and love toodling around the garden to make it look its best, you might use an indoor sink to regularly rinse mulch and soil from your hands or shoes. However, there’s a huge potential for these items to clog up the drains in your home. Use a mudroom or garden hose to rinse off any dirt that accompanies a gardening hobby.
There’s nothing that’ll interfere more with your enjoyment of summer than a clogged drain. But in the event of a clogged drain, you can count on us for drain cleaning services.
For professional drain cleaning in Olympia, WA, contact Brooks Plumbing Co. today!
