It is always a good idea to dedicate time and effort to maintain the
drain and sewer systems of your home. Adopting an “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy can be a very costly mistake, as minor issues develop into far worse problems over time. Waiting for a breakdown in your drains or sewers can be a stressful and messy prospect, but you can minimize this risk with regular drain cleaning services.
Signs Drain Cleaning is Needed:
Many homeowners struggle to decide when drain cleaning services are actually needed. Fortunately, there is a myriad of signs your drains are in need of professional cleaning. These signs include;
Slow Drainage; clogs don’t take to form overnight; they are created more gradually as waste sticks inside the walls of your drains over time. The more debris accumulates, the more the water flow is restricted. So, if your drains have started to run slower than usual, it is a sure sign that drain cleaning is needed.
Bad Smells; if there is a nasty smell that is lingering in your drains, it is not something that should be ignored. This is particularly the case in kitchen drains as they frequently deal with food waste. If the smell is limited to one drain, it is likely to be related to that drain, but if there are bad smells emanating from every drain, you may need extensive plumbing services, as it is an indicator of a deeply rooted problem in your sewer system.
Annual Maintenance:
Even if there are no noticeable signs that your home needs drain cleaning, it is still a good idea to give them a little attention. Many issues requiring drain cleaning are subtle and may not immediately display any warning signs. So, it is a good idea to schedule annual maintenance. An annual drain cleaning is an excellent way to ensure that your drains are in good condition. An experienced professional will assess your drains and ensure that any issues that have begun to develop are quickly resolved.
The Drain Cleaning Methods:
There are two drain cleaning methods that are commonly used by plumbers. Many plumbers will use drain snaking to ensure that the pipes are free of clogs. This involves using an auger attached to a long cord. The auger is drilled through any obstructions it meets inside the pipe, either breaking them up to be flushed away or being pulled back through the pipe. The other method is hydro jetting. This involves using high pressure streams of water as a way to blast through any collected waste in the drain. Hydro jetting can be used to clear clogs including tree root intrusion, but it can also clear any waste that may be accumulating on the walls of the pipe. This can prevent or reduce the risk of clogs developing in the future.
Both of these methods are efficient and effective at cleaning any complete or developing accumulations of debris inside the pipe. Both methods have their own merits and limitations, but an
experienced plumber can assess your drains to determine which method is most appropriate for your home.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
