How to Know When You Need Drain Cleaning
Sometimes, a drain will clog up quickly, and you’ll know almost right away that you have a problem. Other times, it happens more slowly and sneaks up on you. Below are some of the ways you can tell when you need to clean your drains.
Terrible Odors
Have you started to smell some unpleasant scents coming from your kitchen, bathroom, or other areas of the house? The problem could be your drain and everything that has stuck to the pipes. There could be sewer gases or waste that is sitting in the drains rather than going where it belongs. Therefore, you’ll want to take care of this problem sooner rather than later. No one wants to live with strange smells in the house.
Frequent Clogs
If you find that you are continually having clogs, even small ones that are easy enough to remove on your own, it’s a sign of a problem. When those drains are clogged every few weeks or more often, the problem is likely to just keep getting worse. The unclogging you are doing is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole.
Slow Drains
Have you started to notice that your drain isn’t functioning as quickly as it once did? Does the shower drain have inches of water in it when you are done showering? Does the kitchen sink drain take 15 minutes to fully drain once you’ve done the dishes? These slow-moving drains are a problem. Later, we’ll discuss some of the issues that can cause these and other drain problems.
Odd Sounds
There is always going to be some sort of sound when water drains from a sink or tub. However, if there are strange, out-of-place sounds, or a lot of gurgling, it could be an indicator of a much larger problem. It often means you have air in your drain.
Multiple Drains Are Clogged
Here is a major sign you need some help with your drains. If you find that you have multiple clogged drains, it will often mean that you have a major problem somewhere. Quite often, this is a clog on the main sewer line, which is going to be a pain to fix. It’s not something you can do on your own, so you will want to get in touch with plumbing experts in Mobile, Alabama, who can handle it for you. When you start to notice issues like this, it’s time that you took a closer look at your drains to see what the cause might be.
Common Causes of Drain Clogs
The drains in your home or place of business can become clogged by a host of different things. Here, we’ll be discussing some of the most common causes. You will find that the maintenance tips later in the article can help you to deal with these issues, so they don’t become clogs.
First, there’s hair and string. This includes human hair, of course, as well as animal fur, dental floss, and any other bits of string that may get down the drains. As it accumulates over time, it can become a serious issue in the shower, tub, and bathroom sink. This doesn’t seem to be as much of a problem with the kitchen.
Oil, grease, and fat will cause issues in your drains, too. When you pour them down the sink, they aren’t just gone. Often, they will combine with other elements in the pipes and solidify, creating a blockage. There is a misconception that you can simply run hot water down the sink when you are getting rid of oil and grease and that it will keep the drain clear. However, that’s not the case. It can still start to build up similar to how fat can build in a person’s arteries.
Other types of food waste can be a problem, too. Coffee grounds, rice, and large peels from potatoes, oranges, etc. could cause clogs. Often, they will end up getting stuck in the plumbing, which starts to create those nasty odors. You are better off having a composting bin or just throwing it out rather than trying to put any food down the sink or garbage disposal.
If you have children, or if you are clumsy, there is also the possibility of a small, solid object becoming a clog in the sink. Kids’ toys could be lost down a drain (just as they could be put down a toilet). If there isn’t a guard on the sink or shower drain, they can get lost and lodged in the plumbing. Often, this is going to require help from a local Mobile, Alabama plumber.
These are just some of the many reasons that you might end up with a clogged drain and need to have it cleaned. You want to be as careful as can be with your drains. Even though they might not have any issues now, start taking better care of them. It will help you in the long run.
Maintenance Tips for Your Drains
You want your drains to remain in good working order for a long time to come. Therefore, you will want to remember some simple maintenance tips that you can follow to help with this. When you take good care of the drains, you will find that it will reduce the number of clogged drains you have, ensures that you won’t have to deal with foul odors, and can even help you to save money on repairs. Check out these simple tips.
Beware of What You Put Down the Drain
First, you always need to make sure you are as careful as possible about what you put down your drains. Things you should never put down your drains include cooking grease, coffee grounds, rice, hair, and soap scum. These can clog the drain quickly. To help keep hair and soap scum from the drain, use a mesh sink strainer for all of the sinks.
Flush the Drain Monthly and Seasonally
Flushing the drains is also a good habit to get into. Once a week, you can simply boil a large pot of water. Pour half down the drain, wait five minutes, and then pour down the rest. Doing this once a week can help to keep the pipes clean. Additionally, you will want to consider a special flush about once per season. When you do this, you will follow the water flush above with half a cup of baking soda and then half a cup of white vinegar. Let it work for half an hour or so, and then run the water. About once a month, you can use an enzyme cleaner to help keep the drains clean. They tend to be easy to use, and you should be able to find quite a few options on the market.
Have a Professional Inspect the Drains Annually
The tips above are great to help ensure your drains, and all of your plumbing, continue to work well without the need for major repairs. You should also consider having a professional come out to your property once a year or so to inspect the plumbing and to ensure the drains are working properly.
While you may not think this is necessary, it is often better to have one of these inspections done to find any potential issues as early as possible. Taking care of those problems early will often help reduce the cost of repairs later. The cost of an inspection tends to be quite low, and it is well worth the time it takes. Talk with the experts to see if they can come to your property for an inspection.
Drain Problems Can Affect Residences and Businesses
Drain issues are most commonly thought of as residential problems. However, you will find that drain problems are just as much of a problem for a commercial location. It could even be a bigger problem. After all, commercial facilities with drain issues mean that you, your employees, along with customers and clients could be affected. Imagine how much of a problem this could be for a gym with showers, a restaurant, an office building, etc.
Why Work with a Professional for Drain Cleaning in Mobile, Alabama?
Although you might be able to do some of the drain maintenance and simple clog removals on your own, you aren’t an expert plumber. You don’t have the knowledge or experience needed to handle more serious issues. In the vast majority of cases, hiring a Mobile, Alabama professional for drain cleaning is going to be the best option. Even the best home remedies—and store-bought chemicals—will not be capable of handling some of those truly tough clogs. Sometimes, the clogs are a lot more of a problem than you think in the beginning. The usual tactics won’t work and the longer you wait to hire a professional Mobile plumber, the worse it will get. Plumbers not only have the knowledge needed to get the job done, but they also have the tools required to ensure it is done right. This could include things like snake cameras and snake tools, sink augers, high-pressure jets, and more. Additionally, you may find that the clogs are just precursors to other problems. They could indicate serious issues with the plumbing that are headed your way. It’s better to have an expert in Mobile handle these problems for you. In the end, it’s the smarter solution. While you might want to try some DIY methods of cleaning your drains, be careful. Make sure they are legitimate cleaning methods and products, and that you know how to do them properly. If you aren’t careful, there is a chance that you could end up making the problem worse. At best, it means you have wasted your time. Therefore, you should consider working with the experts.
What to Look for with Drain Cleaning Solutions in Mobile, Alabama
Of course, this also means that you will need to know who you should choose when searching for plumbers in Mobile, Alabama. Let’s look at a few of the things you will want to keep in mind. For starters, you should choose a company that knows and understands the area and the people. Choose a locally owned and operated plumbing company in Mobile that prides itself on providing an excellent customer experience. Look for those who can provide fast and friendly service and offer affordable solutions. Of course, you will also want to look into the types of services offered. In addition to helping with the drains, sewer lines, etc. what other services can they offer? For example, can they help with the repair and replacement of your water heater? If you are a business owner, does the company provide commercial service?
Take your time to learn more about the company you are considering. Make sure they can service your area, and that they have built and maintained a good reputation in the area before hiring them. Keeping your drains in good condition helps to keep your entire home in good condition. In addition to the tips on maintenance, remember the benefits of working with a reputable, professional plumber who can offer drain cleaning, inspections, routine maintenance, etc. Those who are in the Mobile, Alabama area can put their trust in Walley Plumbing Company, LLC, and expect fast, affordable service with the utmost quality.
Resources
https://www.thedrainking.com/plumbing-tips/know-when-you-need-drain-cleaning
https://www.punctualplumberdallas.com/blog/5-signs-need-drain-cleaning/
https://www.homeserve.com/uk/living/plumbing-and-drainage/top-5-home-drain-maintenance-tips/
https://www.wagnermechanical.com/blog/hire-a-professional-for-drain-cleaning