Clogged drains have a way of sneaking up on you. One day it’s all good, and the next, your sink or tub is filling up faster than it can drain. The good news is that there’s an easy solution, and it’s an inexpensive one that you’ll never even see. Enter the drain screen.

What a Drain Screen Does

A drain screen covers your drain opening, either by lying directly over or fitting inside of it. It functions like a catcher’s mitt for things that aren’t supposed to be washed down the drain, such as soap scum, hair, food scraps, and even small objects. When no drain screen is present, these objects end up accumulating in the pipes. With time, grease and tacky leftovers continue to clump together, and they eventually become stubborn clogs. When that happens, your water backs up, and you might need a plumber to clear the blockage.

Why Clogs Aren’t Just a Nuisance

Many think of a clog as being just a mere obstruction; however, it is much more than that. Many homeowners do not know that clogs can cause pressure in plumbing that can then lead to leaks. Water damage can result if there’s an overflow. Not only that, backed-up drains can smell bad.

With a drain screen, you can get rid of the junk before it’s even an issue. Think of the drain screen as your offensive line. It’s much easier to shake out a clump of hair than to worry about a pipe full of nastiness.

Easy to Clean, Easy to Forget — But You Shouldn’t

A great thing about drain screens in general is they are easy to keep clean. You simply lift it out, tap it into the trash or compost bin, and rinse it clean. But as easy as they are to ignore, you can only ignore them for so long before water starts to drain more slowly than you’d like. If you worry that you may forget to maintain your drain screens because you lead a busy life, you can set a reminder on your smartphone or tablet to perform a quick check every few days.

Screens are available in metal and plastic. Either kind is fine, though the catch type will likely depend on what’s easiest to install in your sink or tub.

Sure, a drain screen will usually set you back less than a takeout meal, but it could spare you from shelling out big bucks for a plumber. This little tool becomes even more useful if you’re living with roommates or in a busy home. It keeps things flowing and takes one less thing off your mind. It’s not fancy, but it works. And in a world of messy, complicated solutions, that’s something to feel good about.

In addition to using drain screens, you should schedule professional drain cleaning services with a plumber. During such a service call, a plumber can use special tools and techniques to blast the insides of your pipes clean. If you have not yet scheduled drain cleaning for the plumbing at your home in Corvallis, OR, reach out to Evenflo Plumbing straight away.