Your drains have got to be one of the least obvious aspects of your home but if they go bad, they become one of the most obvious! A malfunctioning drain is an emergency due to the smells, water backups and possible floods they can cause. If you’ve never learned the simple methods of keeping your drains clean and flowing, there’s no better time than now.
Why Drains Can Get Slow or Clogged
Every day, debris like grease, soap scum, hair, food particles and minerals are sent down your drains. Most of it exits into your sewer (or septic tank) but some accumulates in the pipes. As the accumulation on the sides of your drainpipes grows, water flow is restricted. If clumps or lumps of these materials form, they may block the flow of wastewater and the result can be backups that send contaminated water into your home. At this point, it could take a professional to get the water moving again.
Along with slow-moving or stopped water, you may experience foul odors emitting from the pipes. Any debris in these pipes decomposes, creating some of these unpleasant odors. Then bacteria and mold grow in the debris and add even more smells. Another benefit of keeping drains cleaned is avoidance of these odors.
Ways You Can Help Keep Your Own Drains Clean
There are some steps you can take to keep drains cleaner and flowing. By taking these actions routinely, you may be able to prevent or delay the need for professional service on your drains.
- Hot water flush: Run very hot water down each drain weekly to dissolve grease and soap scum and prevent it from building up.
- Baking soda and vinegar flush: The pressure that builds up from the fizzing action of baking soda and vinegar can dissolve and dislodge minor clogs. Pour a half cup to a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by the same amount of vinegar. If possible, plug or cover the drain and let it sit a half hour. Follow it with plenty of hot water.
- Drain strainers: Put mesh drain strainers on every drain. Clean them frequently.
In just a few minutes weekly, you may be able to prevent emergency calls to a plumber. Once each year, you should still schedule a plumber to come out and inspect your drains and clean out any debris. A video camera run into your sewer drain can also detect cracks, bends in the pipe or roots infiltrating your sewer line.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Drains Clean on a Regular Basis
Clean drains are fast drains. Sinks and bathtubs will drain quickly and completely, leaving less soap scum behind. Toilets will flush completely and quickly. Slow drains might cause toilets to make a gurgling sound.
Clogged drains can send dirty water back up into a bathtub or into the home at times when there is a lot of water trying to make its way down the main drain. Clean drains keep water going in the right direction. Pests are also attracted to stagnant water. You can avoid attracting fruit flies, cockroaches, palmetto bugs and rodents if your drains are clean.
Your clean drains can also extend the lifespan of your whole plumbing system. Drains that are clogged with an accumulation of residue suffer greater strain. The extra pressure causes wear and tear that can lead to leaks or corrosion or even broken pipes.
Rocketman Plumbing Is Ready to Help When You Need Us!
Even with the most scrupulous care of your drains, there are times when emergency service becomes essential. Rocketman Plumbing technicians are available 24 hours a day, every day, to help if your drains fail to flow. Just call us and let us know how we can help. Call 505-243-1227 at any time.