Drains can easily be overlooked, as the water runs down them never to be seen again—or so you hope. However, drains play a vital role within your plumbing system.
In the kitchen, drains carry water, soap, food, and grease down into the sewage waste systems. In the bathroom, hair, shampoo, body soap, and dirt all wash away through the drains.
Water carries much of this debris away, but junk can build up in your pipes and corrode them over time, causing a big issue down the line.
What Are the Benefits of Drain Cleaning?
When a drain gets clogged, the washing machine can back up, water can pool up outside the home, and many other issues can arise.
Preventative maintenance can help the drains perform efficiently for years to come. Additional benefits of a drain cleaning from a professional plumber include:
Fewer Clogs
When the water won’t go down the drain or starts moving very slowly, it is probably caused by a clogged pipe. This can lead to water backup, which creates a dirty, stinky mess. Regular cleaning can help reduce the amount of debris in the pipes and eliminate clogs.
No More Stinky Smells
Mold and bacteria can easily grow in pipes because of the warmth and moisture that are constantly present. When an excessive amount of mold or bacteria grows, bad smells can arise. The kitchen sink can have particularly bad odors because of food getting stuck in the drains.
Fewer Repairs
When a professional plumber comes out to clean your drains, they can check for any corrosion, damage, or leaks.
Licensed plumbers know what they’re looking for, and they get the job done right. If any pipes are damaged, plumbing professionals know what steps to take to resolve the problem once and for all.
Extended Lifespan of Pipes
When drainage systems and pipes are not regularly cleaned and repaired, substances can start to build up in them, causing low water flow and a build-up of pressure. Having your drains regularly maintained can help to preserve the pipes and prevent you from having to replace them prematurely.
How Often Should Drains Be Cleaned?
Figuring out how often your drains should be cleaned depends on a few variables. A home with older pipes could benefit from more frequent cleanings. Homes that have trees growing near the sewage lines could also benefit from having drain cleaning performed more often. This can help prevent any unnecessary damage from tree roots, which can lead to flooding.
A newer home may only need to have its drains cleaned once every year.
What Kinds of Drain Preventative Maintenance Can Be Done?
A great way to keep excess hair from clogging up the drain in your shower is to have a filtered grate or screen in the shower pan, where the water runs down the drain. This can help to catch the excess hair before it goes into the pipes.
In order to keep the hair from clogging the filter, it is important to regularly clean the excess hair from the grate and throw the hair away in the trash. It’s a good idea to do this at least once a week in a bathroom that is used regularly. For a guest bathroom, you may want to check the filters once a month.
A simple maintenance tip for bathroom sinks is to run hot water down them once a week to wash away any debris. If you or someone in your home shaves over the sink, that hair can quickly clog up the bathroom sink. The pipes in the drain are small and not meant to have excess debris in them.
If you notice the sink is clogging up, either from soap scum or hair, you can boil water to pour down the drain. This will heat any of the stuck residue and allow it to wash down properly.
If you’re dealing with regular clogs and buildup, it’s best to have a thorough drain cleaning performed by a plumbing professional.
What Should I Avoid During Drain Cleaning?
While it can be tempting to use storebought chemicals to clear your drains, these products are caustic and can actually cause damage to your drains. Similarly, handheld tools can scratch your pipes, causing them to wear out prematurely.
If you’re faced with clogs on a regular basis, it’s best to call in a professional plumber, who can evaluate your pipes and determine the best tools to use to clear them out effectively.
Need Drain Cleaning?
For speedy drain cleaning services you can rely on in and around Derry, Nashua, and Manchester, NH, call Paul the Plumber.
