Nobody wants to deal with slow-draining sinks, clogged toilets, or water backups into the tub or shower, yet few homeowners relish the thought of cleaning their drains, either. The best solution isn’t to wait until something goes wrong to call for emergency services. It’s to stay on top of routine Drain Cleaning with the help of a professional plumber.
Benefits of Regular Cleaning
Homeowners who don’t have their plumbing systems cleaned regularly are much more likely to wind up with serious problems on their hands. Professional plumbers offer routine cleaning services to keep pipes clear of dirt, hair, soap, food particles, grease, and other contaminants that could lead to clogs. Even households that are on tight budgets should consider scheduling routine cleanings. Here’s why.
Reduce Blockages
Blocked pipes can lead to all kinds of unpleasant messes. They can also cost a good deal to repair. Homeowners who are sick of dealing with frequently clogged toilets, reduced water pressure to sinks and shower-heads, and the potentially serious problems that result from severe clogs will find that scheduling routine cleaning significantly reduces the chances of blocked pipes and sewer lines.
Save Money
If homeowners ignore their clogged pipes and just live with slow-draining sinks, showers, and toilets, they’ll eventually regret it. Serious clogs can lead to burst pipes and damaged sewer lines, and these problems cost a small fortune to repair. Homeowners can save a lot of money by providing proactive maintenance for their drainage systems.
Eliminate Odors
Clogged or slow-moving drains can cause some seriously unpleasant odors. In kitchens, that might mean rotting food or mold. In bathrooms, it could mean disgusting and potentially dangerous sewage fumes. Either way, periodic cleaning will stop unpleasant odors and help homeowners keep their houses smelling fresh and clean.
Reduce the Risk of Landscape Damage
The benefits of cleaning a home’s drains extend beyond the inside of the house. Serious clogs can cause leaks in sewage lines, which can cause substantial landscape damage. Standing water could even start accumulating on the lawn, killing off vegetation and leaving a wet and potentially stinky mess in its place. Homeowners who care about their reputations can avoid this embarrassing problem by having their drains cleaned periodically to prevent blockages that could lead to landscape damage.
Avoid Disaster-Level Problems
Clogged or slow-moving drains won’t just resolve themselves. The problem will just keep getting worse until homeowners find themselves with a disaster-level problem on their hands. At that point, they may need to turn off the household’s water supply until a plumber can resolve the issue, and if any flooding has occurred, they may also need to pay for expensive water damage repairs.
How Often to Clean Drains
Homeowners who want to avoid expensive Drain Clog Repair should consult their plumbers to come up with cleaning schedules. Since every household is different, there’s no way to make accurate generalizations about how frequently professional cleaning will be needed. Larger households that use more water almost always require more frequent plumbing maintenance, while smaller families may be able to schedule less frequent service visits.
Tips for Keeping Drains Clear
While removing stubborn clogs and deep-cleaning drains are jobs best left to the professionals, there are a few things homeowners and their families can do to reduce the need for professional cleanings. Make sure to share the following information with all residents and long-term guests so that everyone is on the same page.
Install Drain Screens
Drain screens also referred to as drain gates or hair screens, can help to prevent large particles of food, hair, soap scum, and other debris from getting into the pipes to cause damage. They’re available at most hardware stores and are remarkably easy to install. Just place them in the shower, tub, and sink drains and make sure to clean them frequently to keep everything flowing smoothly.
Be Careful About What Goes Down the Toilet
Wastewater systems are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper, and that’s about it. Avoid flushing anything else down the toilet, including feminine hygiene products, diapers, condoms, hair, and other substances. The easiest way to encourage residents and guests to get on board with this plan is to put a small trash can within an easy-reaching distance from the toilet and encourage everyone to use it appropriately.
Avoid Chemical Cleaners
When dealing with clogged drains at home, stick to plungers and drain snakes. If these simple tools don’t resolve the problem, call a professional. Chemical drain cleaners may be widely available, but they can cause serious and expensive-to-repair plumbing problems, so it’s best to avoid them.
Clear Buildup Weekly
While most homeowners don’t have the tools and knowledge required to deep-clean their own drains, they can at least clear out any buildup. Just pour some baking soda down the drain, then run hot water down it for a few minutes. Unlike chemical cleaners, baking soda won’t cause any pipe damage, and it can help to dislodge food particles and clear out grease and soap scum buildup.
Be Careful With Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposals may be convenient, but they can also leave households dealing with frequent drain and sewer line blockages if residents aren’t careful. Always start running cold water down the drain before turning the unit on and continue to clear all the debris for a few minutes after it has stopped running. Better yet, just start composting food waste and avoid using the garbage disposal entirely.
Get Professional Help
Washington homeowners can get the help they need to maintain their drains and other plumbing fixtures from Apollo Plumbing. The company’s carefully screened and vetted employees can provide not just routine drain cleaning but also hydro jetting, video inspections, and more. This family-owned business strives to provide a level of service that can’t be matched by corporate plumbers, so Apollo Plumbing’s dedicated contractors will treat every job like it’s their only one. Browse the website to learn more or get in touch to schedule a routine cleaning or service visit as soon as possible.
