Drainage issues are common problems in homes throughout the U.S. Even if you’re careful, food items can get into your drains where they build up over time. The other issue is water hardness, which can leave behind limescale. That scale buildup is a problem on its own, but it can also promote soap scum and cause it to harden. Let’s explore how you can protect and clean your drains and when you need professional help.
Drain Cleaning vs. Drain Clearing
Drain clearing is the process by which a plumber breaks up an obstruction. Drain cleaning, on the other hand, is the process by which a plumber removes accumulation on the drain pipe walls. If you have a clog, you may need both drain clearing and cleaning. You can also schedule preventative drain cleaning to keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly. In areas with hard water, experts often recommend scheduling this maintenance every couple of years.
Achieving Better Drain Health
Being careful with what you let down your drains will make a big difference in drain performance. Never flush anything other than excreta and toilet paper, including so-called “flushable” wipes. Wipes, dental floss, napkins, paper towels, and so forth should all go in the wastebasket.
If you do not yet have a garbage disposal system, you should consider installing one, as it will protect your kitchen drains. Without a garbage disposal, avoid putting any food particles in your kitchen drains. That includes grease and even dairy products, which can thicken. With a garbage disposal, avoid fibrous foods, rice, eggshells, coffee grounds, and so on.
Preventative Drain Cleaning
Once a month, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to promote better drain health. This is a preventative treatment, and you shouldn’t use it to cure problems. It’s also important to avoid chemical drain cleaners. If a chemical is strong enough to disintegrate a clog, it’s potent enough to damage your plumbing.
Every 24 months or so, schedule a plumber for preventative drain cleaning. A plumber will use a high-pressure water jet to remove scale, soap scum, and any blockages that have begun to form. Never try to snake your drain on your own or rent a hydro jet. You can actually push the clog deeper into your system, and incorrect hydro jet usage can damage your pipes.
Signs You Need a Plumber
With preventative drain cleaning, you’ll likely not need a plumber on short notice for your drains. If you do notice drainage issues, it’s important to schedule service as soon as possible. Minor drainage issues can result in much bigger problems in a short period.
Common signs of drain issues include foul odors from drains, slow drains, and noisy drainage. Typically, you’ll experience drainage issues limited to a particular drain, such as in your kitchen sink. If you’re experiencing multiple slow drains throughout your home, it may mean the blockage is deeper in the system. Other signs of this include inefficient toilet flushing, gurgling toilets, and toilet bowl water levels that rise and fall.
Video Inspections and Drain Clearing
A plumber may recommend a video inspection to diagnose the true nature of your drainage issues. This involves the use of a high-definition camera and monitor. The camera attaches to a cable that a plumber can thread through your drains, and even as far as your sewer.
Most local drain clogs are clearable via professional drain snaking. This is where a plumber uses either a manual or motorized drain auger to break up the obstruction. The motorized systems are more powerful and can more easily get deeper into the system. High-pressure drain cleaning can break up obstructions while also cleaning the pipes to prevent future clogs.
Hydro Jetting
If the problem is in your sewer line, many plumbers recommend hydro jetting over motorized snaking. A hydro jet machine mixes water and air under high pressure. It then directs that stream through the sewer line to break up invasive tree roots, grease buildup, and so on. The system also has a specialized head that cleans the sewer pipe walls, not unlike the high-pressure drain cleaning discussed earlier. That will help to prevent future clogs in your sewer line.
Local Drain Cleaning Solutions in the Greater Las Vegas Area
Frontline Plumbing is a locally owned and operated residential plumbing company based in Henderson, NV. We have over 30 years of experience providing drain cleaning and other plumbing services throughout Clark County and beyond. To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, call today or contact us online.
