Beach season has arrived! Time to get out your flip flops and sunscreen and head to the water! Isn’t it the best feeling to dig your toes into the warm sand? Be careful, though! Even if you “rinse” at the beach when it’s time to go home, it’s hard to truly get all the sand off. No worries, you think. It’ll come off in the shower! True, but the sand, as well as other beach debris and thick sunscreen lotions, can cause drain backups or even actual pipe damage, especially if your pipes are older and made out of galvanized steel or cast iron. When sand enters a drain, the probability of getting a clog raises drastically. While the sand may not damage your plumbing, the clog itself certainly will. Luckily, we have some tips for you on how to keep sand out of your sewer!
Instead of creating a mini beach in your pipes, here’s what you should do:
Leave the Sand at the Beach… Not In Your Plumbing!
The best way to prevent sand from clogging your pipes is to not bring it into your house in the first place.
- After the beach, use baby powder on the sandy areas of your body. Rub in the powder to remove moisture and stop the sand from sticking.
- Thoroughly rinse beach toys in the ocean and put them in a clean bag
- When you get home, rinse off with a garden hose. You can use a whiskbroom or hose to force off any particles — especially on your legs and feet.
- Be sure to leave your sandy shoes outside.
- Claim one room as the ‘sand room’. Pick a room (such as a coatroom) located at the front of the house for guests to leave their sandy belongings.
- Shower and bath drains are not the only places you need to keep sand from. Your washing machine contains a pipe that can also become clogged or damaged from sand. That means you definitely don’t want to throw sandy towels into your washing machine. There’s a neat trick where you lay down a fitted sheet, place your bags in the corners to keep it flat and extended, and then you can place your towels on the sheet. Voila! They will stay free of sand (mostly, considering you will probably track in some sand when you hang out on the towels after walking on the beach) and you can run them through the washing machine without worrying.
Removing Sand From Drain Pipes
The only way to get a clogged drain running again is to force the sand out of the pipes. While you may be tempted to fix this yourself, it could aggravate the problem and lead to damage. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional to ensure it’s done properly. Don’t wait until a backup becomes a flood–call for help as soon as you notice a problem!
With over 20 years of experience, you can count on Total Mechanical Systems’ plumbing experts. We know how important functioning plumbing systems are for your home. Call or text us at (860) 314-1518 or contact us HERE today.
Sources: https://www.allcountysewerdraininc.com/sand-sewer/, https://www.sarkinenplumbing.com/keeping-sand-out-of-your-pipes/
