While we rely on the drains in our homes on a daily basis, it is much less frequent that we think about maintaining them. However, maintaining the drains in your home or business, as well as having them cleaned professionally, is vital in ensuring the continued usability of your plumbing system. You may be wondering how you will know if your home may be in need of professional drain cleaning. Fortunately, your home will likely let you know when your drains need to be serviced. Here are a few of the signs you can look out for that can indicate that your drains need to be cleaned.
Slow Draining
One sign that can be an early indicator that your drains are in need of cleaning is if any of them start draining slower than usual. Many homeowners and business owners make the mistake of waiting to call a professional until a drain has clogged completely; however, slow draining is often an early indicator of a clog forming. In this way, spotting a slow drain can give you time to make arrangements to have your drains cleaned before one of them becomes completely logged. [box type=”info”] It is always much easier to clear a partial blockage than a complete blockage. Easier equates to less costly, less chance for damage, and less inconvenience. Slow running drains never solve themselves – it is always better to address the issue right away.[/box]
Reoccurring Clogs
Another sign that can indicate that it is time to have your drains professionally cleaned is if you have a clog that will not go away. Frequently when a clog first appears, homeowners will try to use store-bought drain cleaning liquids to remove the clog. While this may temporarily fix the problem, if the same drain continues to be a problem, then it is likely that the drain needs professional cleaning.[box type=”info”] In some cases where the issue involves a small trap, such as a sink trap, it is easier to simply remove the trap. Once removed it can be completely cleaned, then easily put back in place. This can sometimes take less time than trying to snake it out, and be a more long-lasting solution.[/box]
Foul Odors
If you detect foul odors coming from the drains in your home, then it is important that you contact a professional plumber as soon as possible. While it is possible that your drains may simply be in need of a deep cleaning, this foul smell can also be indicative of bigger problems. Thusly, it is important to have your drains inspected immediately after you begin to notice these strange odors.[box type=”info”] In some cases a foul sewer smell can occur when a trap dries out after the plumbing fixture has not been used in awhile. Once the water barrier is gone, sewer gases can escape from a plumbing fixture such as a floor drain. Simply pouring some water into the plumbing fixture will put the water barrier back in place inside the trap. In these cases professional drain cleaning is not required.[/box]
For the most part, your drains will show signs when they are in need of a professional cleaning; in fact, we have only mentioned a few of these signs here. However, it is important to remember that drain cleaning is an important part of plumbing system maintenance, and you should consider periodically having your drains professionally cleaned. Contact Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning to learn more about the ways you can tell if your drains may be in need of professional cleaning.
