How do you know if you need drain cleaning
How do you know it’s time to clean something that you can’t regularly see or don’t regularly look at? It can be tricky to tell when it’s the right or best time to consider drain cleaning, as well as trying to figure out the best way to have your drain’s cleaned. Many homeowners will stick by the old saying “out of sight, out of mind”, but an issue won’t get better if it’s just ignored. And if your drains haven’t been cleaned in a long time, or if they’ve never been cleaned at all, there is a relatively simple solution to solve that when-should-drains-be-cleaned puzzle — your drains will often tell you, all you need to do is “listen.”
There are a number of signs around your house to pay attention to that will indicate it’s high time to clean one or more of your home’s drains. “Listen” when your drains are calling out with these signs around your home, and use these as the indication from your drains that it’s time to call for a professional drain cleaning.
Odd or Lingering Odors
If you start to notice a distinct odor of mildew or musk around the house — especially in the kitchen and bathroom — it’s a good indication that it’s time to schedule a drain cleaning for your home.
A common source of sudden unpleasant odors are clogged or blocked drains. The smells can come from a variety of issues, but most commonly are caused by either standing water sitting behind a blockage, from the source of the blockage itself (think old food, hair, or other debris caught in the drain), or a combination of the two. Making sure the drains are cleared and cleaned by a professional will help eliminate the offensive smells and make your home an inviting atmosphere once again.
Slow Acting Drains
Pay attention to how quickly your drains are clearing around the house. If water seem to be draining slower than usual, it’s highly likely that there are at least partial blockages within the pipes preventing the water from running down them as easily.
Many homeowners will rush out to buy an over the counter drain cleaner at the first sign of a slow drain or sink clog, but this can end up just making the issue worse. The chemicals in over the counter drain cleaners are particularly harsh, which will corrode and weaken your home’s pipes as they are used, and can cause serious leaks underneath your sinks. Instead, reach out to a professional for help and for a professional drain cleaning.
Low Water Pressure and Standing Water
A sudden drop off in water pressure in your home’s faucets is usually a sign that there is something is blocking the water from reaching the faucet correctly. If it’s just one faucet, that narrows down where the issue is happening, but if it is multiple faucets around your home at the same time, it’s a major sign of a much more serious issue.
Similarly, noticing standing water in a single sink or drain around your house usually isolates the issue to just that drain. However, if there is standing water in multiple areas at the same time — or worse, if you’ve noticed standing water outside in your lawn — it’s a much larger cause for concern.
When multiple spots have low water pressure and/or standing water, there’s likely a major blockage in either the main plumbing or sewage lines. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as tree roots breaking through the underground lines, a buildup of debris, or mineral deposits. Fortunately, professionals have the equipment to inspect these lines remotely to diagnose the exact issue, as well as different tools to either remove the blockage, or quickly repair any damage to the pipe.
If you’ve started to notice issues with your drains, and suspect it’s time for a thorough cleaning, or if you have questions about what services are provided during a drain cleaning, reach out to the plumbing pros at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling. The professional technicians at Duane Blanton have over 30 years of experience helping homeowners keep their drains, faucets, and fixtures flowing, and they have the answers and expertise to help with any questions or issues you may have. Reach out today, at (815) 781-2567, or schedule online right from your browser with Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling’s convenient online scheduling tool.
