Benefits of Cleaning Your Drains

Routinely cleaning the drains in your home will help you avoid many major hazards. If you keep your drains clean, you’ll have fewer problems with your pipes overall. Learn more about the benefits of a professional drain cleaner as well as how to clean your drains yourself between visits.

Prevent Major Problems

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If your drains don’t receive regular maintenance, they can suffer from corrosion, age-related damage, issues with tree roots, and troublesome clogs. These problems are easiest to treat when caught early on. If you wait until the issue causes a pipe leak or backed up drain, you may find yourself facing additional problems like a flooded basement or water damage to the walls, ceiling, or floors.

Prevent Odors in the Home

Over time, the buildup in your pipes can cause an unpleasant odor. The damp waste can create a welcoming environment for microbial growths, which only makes the smell worse. You may be tempted to cover the odor with air fresheners, but only a drain cleaning will truly treat the problem.

Keep Water Flowing Freely

Drain clogs build up slowly over time, slowing drainage and reducing water pressure. You may not notice the change immediately, but you will experience issues like a lack of water pressure in the shower or trouble getting the toilet to flush. If you give the clog enough time to grow, you could find yourself facing a burst pipe or blocked sewer line. It’s better to invest in a professional drain cleaning that will keep your water pressure high and your drains flowing freely.

How to Clean Your Drain

You can keep your drains fresh in between professional cleanings with a quick DIY cleaning. The best way to clean your drains safely is with vinegar and baking soda. Do this once or twice a month to prevent stopped drains.

Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. This combination will loosen grease, mineral deposits, and other residue lurking in the drain. Plug the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes. When this time is up, pour several cups of boiling water down the drain to rinse it clean.

When to Call a Professional for Your Drains

You should schedule a professional drain cleaning once a year, even if you don’t notice obvious signs of a clog or other problems. This is a good way to prevent these issues and keep your drains in good condition throughout the year. You may want to schedule more frequent cleanings if:

• You have a large family that puts more strain on your pipes.
• You have older pipes that require more care and attention.
• You struggle with frequent clogs from long hair or other issues.

You may need to schedule a drain cleaning sooner if you have issues like:

• Slow drainage that’s not fixed with a DIY cleaning.
• Unpleasant odors from your drains.
• Gurgling sounds from your drains.
• Clogs that recur frequently.

A professional plumber has access to more specialized tools than the average homeowner. When you contact an experienced plumber to deal with your drains, you’ll enjoy fast, quality services that provide you with a lasting solution. High-tech equipment like small cameras can help locate troublesome clogs or leaks, so you don’t have to deal with guesswork. 

Any time your drains or pipes are exhibiting noticeable problems, the best solution is to contact a professional for a quality drain cleaning. This will handle your current issue while also preventing many problems that are likely to occur in the future.

FAQs About Your Home’s Drains

These common questions and answers will help you understand drain cleaning services and proper drain care further.

Q. Can I use commercial drain cleaning products to keep my drains clean?

A. It’s typically best to avoid commercial drain cleaners when possible. These can release fumes that are harmful to your health. Drain cleaners are particularly hazardous to your health if they’re mixed with other products. A professional can make sure that any chemicals in use are properly flushed from the system and never mixed improperly.

Some commercial drain cleaners are also hazardous to the environment. If you have a leak in your pipes that you’re not aware of, the drain cleaner could even leak out into your own yard. Working with a professional is the safest option.

Q. Can I use a snake to get rid of clogs in my home?

A. A snake can help you deal with small clogs, but you should use this tool with caution. If it takes an excessive amount of force to clear the drain with your snake, the snake itself could cause damage to your pipes. Without a camera to view the clog and surrounding pipes, you may not know what you’re dealing with or whether you’ve damaged your pipes with your efforts.

Q. What can I do to prevent clogs from happening?

A. While regular drain cleaning is an important maintenance routine in any home, there are things that you can do to reduce the need for frequent cleanings. You can minimize clogs throughout the year by staying mindful of what you’re washing down the drain. Take these smart steps to prevent clogs:

• Place a drain screen over the drain in your shower to catch long hair, small toys, slivers of soap, and other items that can cause a clog.
• Place food scraps in the trash or compost bin. Even if you have a garbage disposal, you should avoid grinding up any large pieces of food.
• Keep grease and oil away from the drain. Put these in a used can or another disposable container when you’re done cooking and throw it away when full. 
• Put a strainer on your washing machine hose. This will catch lint, soap residue, and other items that will create buildup in your pipes.

For reliable drain cleanings and care, contact Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. We can help clean your drain, remove buildup, and address any other problems you may have with your plumbing. Contact us today to learn more.