From time to time, we all face the inconvenience of clogs and other drain issues. When facing any issues with your drains, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional plumbing service. That’s because most issues aren’t something you can effectively solve yourself and also because there’s a chance you could cause further damage if you try to on your own. In this article, we’ll provide a full overview of drain cleaning and also explain what steps to take that can help you avoid issues in the future.
How Drain Cleaning Helps Overcome and Avoid Plumbing Issues
Professionals usually perform drain cleaning by using a mechanical auger or hydro jetting the pipe. In either case, the purpose is to get rid of any solid materials stuck inside the pipe and to break through and eliminate a clog. Drain clogs are among the most common plumbing problems, and they usually arise from not being careful about what goes down your toilets and drains.
You definitely need to have a drain cleaned when dealing with a stubborn clog. If you have a clogged drain or toilet that you can’t clear using a plunger, it’s always best to contact a plumber instead of pouring chemicals down the drain. The main issue with chemical drain cleaner is that it can sit inside a drain or pipe and corrode it until you end up with a serious leak. Crystal drain cleaners also produce extreme heat when the chemicals come into contact with water. The chemical reaction gets so hot that it can cause a PVC pipe to warp and increase the chances of it developing a leak.
Having professional plumbing maintenance to clean out your drains is also an effective method for preventing clogs and ensuring they drain properly. Even if you’re careful about what goes down your drains and toilets, you’ll always end up with scum and grease constantly building up inside pipes. The result is that the build-up chokes off the pipe so that water can’t drain as well. The build-up also increases the chances of solid materials getting stuck and causing the pipe to clog. This is another reason hydro jetting your drains occasionally is useful since it works to blast away all the build-up so that the pipes again drain smoothly.
The Springfield area has hard water, which results in mineral deposits building up inside of pipes if you don’t have a water softener. In this situation, jetting is also an effective solution for getting rid of the mineral deposits and protecting your home’s drain and sewer system.
Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning
It’s simple to tell when your plumbing problems are caused by drains or your sewer line. The biggest issue you want to watch out for is sewage backing up and flowing out into your house. Immediate attention is required for a backup issue, as it almost always indicates a clogged sewer line.
If you have one sink, shower, or toilet that is slow, it’s a sign that you need to have that fixture’s drain cleaned. Another problem to look out for is if your drains make gurgling or bubbling sounds when water is draining.
Foul odors wafting up out of a drain are also a sign that it needs to be cleaned. Occasionally cleaning the drain with vinegar and baking soda can help to prevent odors. Enzyme drain cleaners that are free of chemicals fulfill the same objective by breaking down any organic substances lodged in the drain. While either method can be effective, it needs to be done regularly. If your drains are often smelly or you’re experiencing issues with drain flies, professional cleaning is the better option.
Tips for Preventing Drain Issues
One of the main reasons many homes end up with drain issues is because of people flushing things other than toilet paper and human waste. More and more people now use “flushable” wipes after going to the bathroom. Despite being marketed as flushable, wipes should never go into the toilet. The term flushable just refers to the fact that the wipes will go down the toilet bowl. The problem is that the wipes frequently get stuck in the toilet trap, drain pipe, or sewer line. If this happens, you’ll eventually end up with major issues since the wipes create an obstruction that prevents other solids from draining out.
Another common issue is flushing feminine hygiene products. Many women are used to this because the packaging for most products used to instruct them to flush them until just a short time ago. Just like wipes, these products are prone to getting stuck somewhere and never get flushed out into the municipal sewer system. In fact, they can be an even bigger issue than wipes since they swell up when they get wet.
Other things to avoid are cat litter, coffee grounds, and starchy foods. Even if you have a garbage disposal, you’ll still create a risk of plumbing issues if you don’t use it appropriately and aren’t careful about what you put into it.
One last thing that you should avoid doing is pouring oil, fat and grease down your kitchen sink. Some people think it’s okay to do this as long as you try to flush the drain with lots of hot water, but it’s certainly not. No matter how much hot water you use, the fat will usually end up coagulating and sticking inside your pipes. The result is that a sticky fat coating forms inside pipes, which can then trap other materials and cause a clog or gradually suffocate the pipes over time until they can’t drain properly. If excessive fat and grease clog your drain pipes or sewer line, cleaning alone may not restore proper drainage. That means you may end up having to pay much more to have the pipes replaced.
When dealing with drain issues, it’s also a good idea to have a plumber use a drain camera to inspect the pipe. The camera enables the plumber to identify issues like blockages, scum build-up, mineral deposits, and leaks. In this way, you can usually avoid major issues such as a cracked drain pipe that allows wastewater or sewage to leak out into your home. Camera inspections are essential for preventing significant plumbing problems and are a valuable asset for plumbers.
Since 2006, All Klear has been providing top-notch home services to customers in Springfield and the surrounding areas. We’re licensed and insured, and our team of plumbers is ready to help with all of your drain cleaning needs. We can also help if you need any sewer, water heater, sump pump, water filtration, or gas line service. In addition, we have a team of HVAC technicians and electricians that specialize in air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and electrical services. Contact us today for more information or to set up a service appointment.
