Among all household problems that arise, a clogged drain is arguably one of the worst. Yes, it may seem like a minute task to unclog a drain, but some clogged drains are more complex and far more gross than most homeowners want to deal with.
Nevertheless, it must be done. For the determined do-it-yourselfer, there are certainly effective ways to unclog a drain.
- How to Clear a Clogged Drain
In a recent article, we discussed how to clear a clogged drain. Some of the DIY methods to try and avoid that we highlighted include:
AVOID:
- Commercial drain cleaners
They are so acidic that they can damage piping and sink finishes. They can emit a harmful gas when they react with aluminum piping. They are bad for the environment. Much more
TRY:
- Boiling Water
- Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Plunger
- Plumbing Snake
- Remove the P-Trap
Be sure to read our article outlining how to clear a clogged drain for exact details on what to do for each of these methods. We even discuss how often you should snake your drain. If, in the end, that murky, smelly, standstill water just won’t subside, and you’ve about had it, it may be time to call a professional plumber.
When it’s time to call a professional:
- Your clog is too big for the drain snake or other DIY method to handle.
The Importance of Sewer Drain Cleaning
The average homeowner doesn’t give much thought to their sewer system and the importance of drain cleaning until something happens that draws their attention to it. This is a good thing, actually. When you are not constantly worrying about something and the potential for consequences, that means it is working exactly as intended. In an ideal world, nothing would go wrong with plumbing systems. But pipes age and tree roots grow, and the list goes on.
Bottomline: Unfortunately, things are going to come along to obstruct that smoothly running plumbing system. Here’s why it’s important that routine sewer line and drain cleaning not be overlooked:
Sewer Gas Build-Up
Perhaps the single most important aspect of drain cleaning as it relates to sewer lines is the potential of sewer gas build-up. Homes and buildings have a system of pipes that serve as seals and vents that prevent gas from entering through the drains. The waste that is channeled through sewer drains creates a dangerous vapor as it decomposes. This is natural and unavoidable.
That’s why the pipes are in place: they have a long, honorable history of protecting against sewer gas. But the pipes are only as good as the pressure they were built to contain, and if drains are not properly cleaned and become too obstructed, the pressure can become too intense for the venting system.
Tree Roots
One of the most overlooked considerations of the importance of sewer line and drain cleaning is how nature can be the cause of damage that you can’t even detect. If you get down on your hands and knees and pull clump after clump of soggy hair from your shower drain, you have a pretty good idea what is causing the clog: hair.
But what if all of the sudden you start noticing a bad smell, an overflowing toilet, or backflows in your sinks? Without a video pipe inspection and sewer line and drain cleaning, you may never realize your sewer line problem lies buried deep underground.
Root systems are driven to go wherever the precious water is, even if that water is behind thick pipes. An all-out assault by roots can cause everything from hairline cracks to complete fracturing. While the cause remains unseen, you will definitely notice the effect.
Sewer gas that does not properly vent can fill your home with a foul odor and cause health problems, like headaches and nausea. Fortunately, with routine sewer line and drain cleaning, this doesn’t happen often.
The Clean Water Action
On a day to day basis, the main importance of sewer line and drain cleaning is, quite simply, the water you drink. Without regular professional cleanings of drains, and without immediate attention to repairing damage to sewer systems, your entire life would be affected.
Clean water is not just about taste; it is about health. Water that tastes bad probably is bad, and water that is bad can cause an assortment of health problems. If the water is bad, that means even simply washing your hands or taking a shower may be off-limits. The normal routine of everyday life depends on sewers being in working condition and drain lines remaining as clean as possible.
Why You Should Hire Professional Drain Cleaning Services
The simple facts are:
- Cleaning your pipes regularly will prevent them from blocking and causing serious damage.
- When pipes are clogged, dirty water can overflow all over your house.
- Sewer water carries germs and bacteria that might cause health issues.
- Damaged sewer lines can fill your home with and awful smell and dangerous gas.
Here are several reasons why you should consider hiring a professional plumber for a current clog (in any area of your home) and on-going, routine sewer and drain cleaning:
- Cleanliness
- Cleaning your drains thoroughly and regularly will ensure that your house remains clean and your pipes remain clear.
- Prevents Smells
- Sewers contain a smell that can be hard to get rid of.
- Prevents Blockages
- When you have your pipes checked and cleared/cleaned regularly, the chance of a blockage becomes significantly less.
- Saves Money
Electing not to attend to your drains and pipes on a regular basis can actually cost you more in the long run as clogged drains and damaged sewer line pipes can quickly become costly repairs. Having your drains checked regularly will not only reduce the chances of your drains clogging and any damage to your pipes worsening over time, but it will also save you money by helping you forgo a large, out-of-pocket bill. Are Clogged Drains Increasingly Showing Up in Your Kitchen or Bathroom? Turn to the Experts. Discover Our Kitchen & Bath Drain Cleaning Plumbing Services
To avoid rendering one of your kitchen or bathroom drains out-of-order because the clog won’t subside or seems too stubborn to give way to a DIY method, give us a call. Sometimes, a clog is just too big for DIY tools and methods. For persistent, unceasing clogs, our professional clogged drain services are always best.
Serving all of Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain, Summit, Medina and Mahoning counties, we’re here to take the stress and worry off your hands and ensure your plumbing system is running properly and quickly gets back up and running.