Philadelphia Drain Cleaning is an essential part of regular maintenance for your home. It helps your pipes work as they should and prevents problems down the line.
Hair, grease, soap scum, coffee grounds, and dirt are just some of the things that can cause clogs. Clogged drains lead to water overflowing into your house, damaging floors and walls that aren’t designed to hold water.
Clogged drains are a real pain and can cause a lot of damage in the short-term. They’re expensive, messy and time-consuming to deal with. The best way to prevent them is to be vigilant about what goes down your drains and regularly clean them with the right tools.
The most common causes of clogged drains are food waste, hair, grease, soap scum and other debris. These can all build up in your pipes and traps over time, causing slow drainage, unpleasant smells and even water backup.
To avoid these issues, be mindful of what goes down your drains and never flush items that aren’t sewage or liquid. Things like cotton swabs, child’s toys and sanitary products should all go into the garbage instead of down the drain. Pouring grease down the drain is also a bad idea, as it can solidify in your pipes and create serious clogs.
Regularly cleaning your drains with a plunger or drain snake can also be helpful in preventing clogs. However, for more stubborn clogs that may require the use of a motorized drain snake, it’s best to leave these tasks to professionals who have the proper tools and training to get the job done right.
If you’re someone who is prone to using store-bought chemical drain cleaners, it’s important to be aware that these chemicals can actually do more harm than good. While they may work to break up a small blockage, the harsh acid in these cleaners can corrode your pipes over time. This can lead to leaks and pipe fractures. Additionally, if you have plastic or cast iron pipes, the heat from these chemical reactions can cause them to warp or melt.
Prevents Sewage Smells
The sewage smell you encounter when something goes down the drain in your home isn’t just gross, it can also be dangerous. According to Healthline, fumes from rotting sewage can contaminate your house with bacteria and other harmful substances. They can also cause headaches, fatigue, and nausea. If the odor is coming from a sink in your home, you should act fast and call a professional as soon as possible.
If you have a drain that’s been emitting bad odors for awhile, it could mean that the water trap has dried out. The P-trap is designed to hold water and prevent sewer gases from entering your home through the drains. If it has dried out, you’ll need to pour water into the drains to fill it back up and keep odors at bay.
To prevent your drains from smelling, make it a habit to run water down seldom-used drains at least once or twice a month to refill the P-trap. It’s also a good idea to add a few drops of vegetable oil or mineral oil into the drain to slow down evaporation.
If you don’t have any of these things lying around, you can still get rid of a bad smell with boiling water or baking soda. You can even use a combination of both to eliminate odors and clean the drain. Vinegar is another effective odor eliminator and can be used in the same way as baking soda. Pour a few cups of boiled vinegar down the drain, wait an hour or so, and then flush with hot water to remove the smell. You can also put a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain before you turn on the water to eliminate any lingering odors.
Prevents Squeaky Pipes
Your home’s pipes carry water into and throughout your house, bringing clean water in and wastewater out. When they are clogged, you’ll be in trouble. Luckily, drain cleaning can keep these crucial components in top condition.
Clogged and overflowing drains create a variety of issues, including damaged plumbing fixtures, flooded rooms, and expensive home repairs. When you schedule regular drain cleaning, you’ll prevent these problems and help your pipes last longer.
If your drains make a squealing noise, it’s important to investigate and repair the problem as soon as possible. This can prevent further damage to your home’s plumbing and help you save money on energy bills.
Noisy pipes may be caused by dirty or loose plumbing components that rub against each other. This can be easy to fix if you know where the sound is coming from. For example, squealing pipes near bathroom sinks are often caused by the drain aerator rubbing against the pipe. If you replace the aerator, this should stop the noise.
Another common cause of squealing pipes is expansion and contraction of the pipe itself. As the temperature of the water changes, so does the pressure on the pipes. This can cause them to expand and rub against other components, such as the wooden joists of your floors and walls. You can reduce this symptom by wrapping your exposed pipes with fitted foam insulation.
You can also use a plumber to perform drain cleaning. A professional plumber can use methods such as drain snaking or hydrojetting to clear out your drains and prevent future clogs. However, DIY solutions such as chemical drain cleaners aren’t recommended, since they can eat through your pipes and cause damage to your fixtures.
Prevents Damage to Pipes
If you’ve ever used liquid drain cleaner, you know how damaging it can be to your pipes. Chemicals in these products can eat away at most metal pipes, and they’ll certainly deteriorate plastic ones. Over time, this can lead to broken, leaky pipes that will cost you a fortune to replace.
In addition to destroying your pipes, liquid drain cleaners are also harmful to your health. They often release corrosive chemicals into the air that can burn your skin and irritate your eyes. If you inhale these fumes over a long period of time, they can even damage your lungs.
The best way to prevent clogs and protect your pipes is to clean them regularly. Use a plunger, drain snake, or sewer auger to remove any blockages that you can safely reach. For larger clogs, professional hydro jetting may be required.
Regular drain cleaning will also help prevent the need for liquid drain cleaners in the first place. Be careful about what you put down your drains, and encourage family members to do the same. Avoid putting food scraps, grease, oils, coffee grounds, and other common clog-causing items down your drains. If you can, throw them in the garbage instead of letting them go down the drain.
If you must use liquid drain cleaner, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle closely. And, if possible, switch to an eco-friendly product that is safer for your pipes. You can also try using a homemade drain cleaner made from baking soda and vinegar. Simply pour a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by an equal amount of vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes, then flush it with hot boiling water. This method works just as well as liquid drain cleaner, but it is much safer for your pipes.
Prevents Corrosion
Many store-bought drain cleaners rely on corrosive chemicals to dissolve blockages. They may work quickly to clear away hair or grease, but these chemicals can also eat through your pipes. Over time, this will cause them to degrade and break down, which can lead to costly pipe repairs or replacements. Using a professional drain cleaning service can help you avoid these issues by using mechanical tools that won’t damage your pipes or plumbing system.
Clogged drains and sewer lines are a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. These can cause unpleasant odors in your home and contribute to health problems for you and your family. Regular drain cleaning can prevent these problems and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
Corrosion can affect all types of pipes, but it’s particularly dangerous for older or galvanized pipes. When these pipes corrode, it can cause water leaks and structural damage. Regular drain cleaning can prevent these issues by removing buildup and preventing chemical reactions that can eat through your pipes.
Clogged drains and sewer lines can cause water to back up and overflow into your home, resulting in extensive and expensive damage. Clogged drains can also contribute to sewage backups and other health and safety issues. By regularly cleaning your drains and sewer lines, you can prevent these problems and keep your home safe and healthy for you and your family.
