Have Any Gripes With Your Pipes? (NAPSA)—Dealing with drains doesn’t have to be a disaster. With a little common sense and preventive maintenance you can take steps te prevent plugged pipes. These tips will keep things flowimg sraoothly: Clearing Out Clogs Drains can narrow over time due to the accumulation of scap and hair. Drain maintenance products with organic enzymes can help break down the buildup and keep draims running freely. When faced with a stubborn clog or slow drain in the bathroom or kitchen, start with low-tech approaches and gradually move up to bring in the “heavy hitters”"—chernical drain cleaners. * The good old-fashioned bathroom plunger may help clear some clogs. To ase a plonger correctly: i. Block any overflow holes or other openings with a wet rag. 2. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger to create a tight seal and greater suction. 3. Powerfully pump the plun- ger up and down at least 15-20 times, then stop to test whether water is drawing. If the drain is still slow, repeat the plunging again. When the clog is cleared, flush hot water through the drain for several minutes to clear out any remaining particles. * for more stubborn clogs, try a commercially available product, such as Zep 10 Minute Hair Clog Remover. The product, available exclusively at The Home Depot, has a fast-acting formula strong enough to dissolve most hair clogs in the bathroom sink, shower or tab, but will not damage metal, plastie or brass plumbing or septic tanks. GO WITH THE FLOW-—The good old-fashioned plunger may help clear many clogs. Greasy clogs in the kitchen call for a more pewerful drain cleaner. Zep’s Heavy Duty Drain Opener is a thick quid formula that pours straight through standing water and goes directly to the clog, breaking it up fast. Remember, too, an cunce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To protect bathroom pipes, invest a couple of dollars in a rub- ber or plastic hair catcher. In the kitchen, don’t pour greasy liquids into your kitchen sink or disposer. Grease solidifies as it cools and this clogs your pipes. Also, never empty coffee grounds in the disposer. Finally, once a week, pour an organic citrus cleaner or drain and disposer treatment down the drain to melt away any fat or grease that may have aceurnulated. For those with septic systems, using a speciallyformulated septic treatment praduct on a regular basis can reduce septic system back-up. Following these simple tips will help the water in your drains go withthe flow.
