There are many basic plumbing tasks all homeowners should know how to do. While you aren't a professional plumber and don't need to know how to auger a mainline or replace a toilet, you can save yourself a lot of money if you know how to do simple plumbing tasks such as keeping your home's drains free from clogs.

A clogged drain or mainline obstruction is one of the most common reasons homeowners call a plumber. So, if you learn to keep the drains clean and mainline free of clogs, then you won't need to pay for professional plumbing services!

To this end, here's everything you need to know: 

Plumbing Clogs are Always Caused by Things the Homeowner Put Down a Drain

If you think about it, only the things you and your family put into your plumbing can clog it.

For example, if you dump a pan of grease down the drain, then it can solidify and form a clog. Or, if you flush some "flushable" wipes down the drain, they can clog your toilet or wrap around tree roots in the mainline and plug it up.

The absolute best thing you can do to keep your residential drains clean is to limit what travels down them. Hint: This should only be water, human waste, and toilet paper!

Anything and everything else can and will lead to clogs. Some of the worst offenders are:

• eggshells
• coffee grounds
• food waste
• grease and oil
• fibrous vegetables 
• feminine hygiene products
• "flushable" wipes or cleaners
• cat litter
• human hair

Ultimately, it's important to remember that if you don't put it in the drain then it can't clog your pipes. So, before you grind up those chicken bones in the garbage disposal, think about drain clogs and toss them into the trash instead. Next time you see a wad of hair in the shower drain, remove it before the hair has a chance to travel down the drain.

Liquid Dish Soap is Magical for Drain Clogs

Instead of reaching for a harsh chemical drain cleaner, enzyme drain cleaner, vinegar, baking soda, or any of the other drain cleaning options you read about, first, reach for some liquid dish soap.

Liquid dish soap is used during oil spills to get the residue off of wildlife. It's used because it is safe for the animals and it is extremely effective at dissolving grease.

Dish soap is also very effective at dissolving the grease, oil, and fats clogging up your kitchen drain. Many times, simply squirting a hefty amount of soap into the drain followed by some very hot water is all that's needed to clear out a stubborn clog. 

However, if the problem persists or is too difficult to clean on your own, consider hiring a professional plumbing service such as Ericson's  Plumbing LLC.