Drain issues: a guide for Homeowners

Plumbing issues occur at the worst possible times. Whether a drip from your faucet, a leak in your pipe, an overflowing toilet, or an issue with your water heater; all of these will stop you in your tracks. And among the many plumbing issues that Homeowners face regularly, clogged drains are typically one of the most frequent.

A clogged drain can begin as a relatively harmless issue. The water drains slightly slower than normal and you just ignore it. After some time, however, your sink will be full of water, your shower turns into a small swimming pool and/or waste backs up into your home.

Knowing why drains become clogged and knowing how to recognize the initial warning signs of clogged drains can prevent costly plumbing repairs.

Why do drains become clogged?

Drains take wastewater out of your house through a complex series of pipes. Materials build up over time within the pipes causing them to narrow and restricting the flow of water.

The reasons for clogged drains include:

Hair and soap buildup in bathroom drains.
Particles of Food in kitchen sinks.
Grease and oils used for cooking.
Buildup of mineral deposits.
Debris such as Dirt.
Objects not originally intended for disposal (i.e., toys, etc.)
Roots growing from trees along underground sewer lines.

As mentioned above, each type of drain has its own type of clog. For example, a kitchen sink’s clog is usually caused by Grease and Food buildup, while a bathroom shower drain’s clog is likely caused by hair and soap residue buildup.

Identifying Slow Drains before they cause more harm

Slow draining is one of the simplest plumbing issues to ignore. If the water level in your sink, bath or shower is taking longer than usual to empty, there is likely already a buildup forming inside the pipe. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean there is an actual complete blockage. It could simply be an indication that one is beginning to form.

Leaving slow draining unattended allows obstructions to get worse, making it harder to clear once a blockage develops.

Clogs that keep coming back may indicate larger Problems

If you continually need to pull out a drain cleaner or plunger to unclog your drains, then you may have more than just a surface level issue. Recurring clogs may indicate:

Pipe buildup due to heavy usage.
Broken or damaged pipes.
Incorrectly sloped pipes.
Tree root intrusions into your pipes.
Obstruction further downstream in your piping.
Main sewer line issues.

When the same drain continues to clog and needs constant cleaning, professional assessment is recommended to find the reason behind the consistent clogging.

Are chemical drain Cleaners really worth it?

Although chemical drain Cleaners can offer immediate relief, they rarely completely eliminate a clog. In addition to offering temporary solutions, using a drain cleaner repeatedly introduces harsh chemicals into your plumbing system.

Professional drain cleaning services can be a much better option for long term solutions. Professional plumbers assess the conditions of your drainage system and determine the best course of action for the cleaning process.

Is Hydro jetting right for you?

Hydrojetting can be a great option when dealing with tough buildup. Hydrojetting involves blasting hot water through your plumbing pipes at very high pressure to loosen and remove stuck debris such as Grease, scale, and other materials. This service may prove helpful when regular drain cleaning methods don’t provide a long-lasting Solution.

However, hydrojetting isn’t right for every plumbing system. The material and condition of your pipes must first be assessed prior to performing hydrojetting.

Camera inspections: knowing what to expect inside your pipes

Homeowners who continue to deal with clogged drains may ask themselves “what is going on inside my pipes?” A plumbing camera Inspection can provide answers. Using a small camera, plumbers can navigate your drainage system to detect potential Problems including obstructions, buildup, cracks, Tree root invasion and more.

The information obtained during the camera Inspection provides professionals with the knowledge needed to make recommendations for resolution rather than having to rely solely on speculation.

Ways Homeowners can prevent clogged drains

By implementing a few simple preventative practices, you can minimize excessive stress placed upon your plumbing system.

Kitchen: when cooking try not to pour Grease/oils into the drain. Also consider installing a sink strainer to capture Food particles.

Bathroom: install a hair catcher under the spout of your shower/tub, and refrain from disposing items into the toilet bowl that shouldn’t be flushed.

Overall household: keep track of slow draining, odd smells from sewers/drains/gutters, gurgling sounds coming from your drains, and ongoing back-ups. These simple actions can help prevent emergency plumbing failures.

Time to call a pro

If you are experiencing repeating clogs, numerous slow-draining areas throughout your home, sewage odors emanating from your drains/sewer line, waste backing-up into your home/yard or you’ve had drainage Problems that come-back immediately after you’ve cleaned them…then these are all indicators of potential serious issues requiring specialized tools/equipment and knowledge from a licensed professional.