Drain cleaning is one of the most essential services offered by a plumber Elizabeth NJ to keep wastewater from clogging homes and businesses. The service involves removing clumped or caked waste (made from solid materials like hair, grease, food particles, etc.) from the drains.
When done right, drain cleaning near me keeps wastewater flowing seamlessly out of the building and into the right channel. However, when ignored, blocked or clogged drains can cause foul odor, health issues, flooding, and other water damage.
As a home or business owner, JTS, a professional property management company advises it is important to pay attention to your drains. Doing this will help you understand when problems are looming.
In this article, we discuss the importance of drain cleaning and the common signs of a blocked or clogged drain.
Why is Drain Cleaning Necessary?
Drain cleaning is important to keep wastewater flowing seamlessly away from your property. Additional reasons for drain cleaning include:
Prevents Drain/Pipe Blockage
Drain cleaning helps to remove solid and caked-up materials that clog and block the drain or pipe from functioning at optimal performance levels.
When done right and regularly, property owners will be able to prevent clogs from forming inside their plumbing system.
Remove Foul Odor
One of the common signs of a clogged drain is a foul odor. The odor is often a result of caked particles that have collected dirt or decaying material over time.
The foul odor can significantly affect indoor air quality, or the decaying material may become a breeding ground for microorganisms.
Drain cleaning services help eliminate this, ensuring that indoor air quality is at an all-time high and protecting inhabitants from health problems.
Improve Pipe’s Lifespan
Plumbing fixtures have different lifespans based on their material. However, clogs can often affect the plumbing material’s lifespan, whether due to rust, punctures, or cracks.
Proper and periodic drain cleaning can help prevent this expensive problem while also improving wastewater management.
Avoid More Serious Problems
Periodic drain cleaning can help property owners avoid more serious and expensive problems. For example, blocked drains can lead to wastewater backup, which can cause water damage.
Such wastewater damage is often expensive to clean up, especially as professional help is needed to disinfect and restore the property to a safe condition.
Property owners can avoid such expensive repairs by focusing on cleaning out their drains periodically to ensure smoother wastewater flow.
How Often Should You Clean Your Drain?
Drain cleaning should be done on an “as needed” basis. This is because the timeline between drain cleaning can be affected by several factors like the household’s size, the frequency of drain use, the type of materials washed down the drain, drain material, and more.
Smaller households may get away with longer periods in between drain cleaning appointments, while larger households may need to clean their drains more frequently.
It’s important to keep an eye out for the signs of drain clogs. This could be the biggest factor signaling the need for a drain cleaning service.
Signs of Clogged Drain
Slow Sink Drains
The commonest sign of an impending drain clog is slow-draining sinks. You’re likely facing this problem if you find yourself waiting some minutes before water fully drains out of your sink.
Leaving such problems to fester can lead to overflowing wastewater, which can lead to a huge mess and water damage.
It’s important to take proactive steps as soon as you notice your drains slowing down.
Backed-Up Plumbing Fixtures
Another obvious sign of a clogged drain is a backed-up plumbing fixture. This occurs when wastewater fails to drain out of your tub or sink. This can often lead to standing water which can expose you to harmful bacteria and infections.
Sewage Smell
Your drain should be free-flowing to prevent a buildup of foul odor in your indoor space. If you notice an untraceable foul smell, chances are high that it’s from your drain.
This is a major indication of caked-up materials within your drain waiting to cause a problem. You can easily address this problem by contacting a drain cleaning plumber or through DIY drain cleaning methods, depending on the severity of the problem.
Pests in Pipes
Pests like cockroaches, ants, and rodents thrive in dirty areas. Seeing pests live and emerge from your drain is a major sign of an impending drain problem.
Not only do these pests expose you to health hazards, but they can also damage and destroy your home when unattended. Addressing the problem as soon as possible can help prevent an infestation while also restoring the highest level of hygiene to your indoor space.
Frequent Clogs or Overflowing Toilets
Frequent clogs are often a sign of unresolved clogs in your pipes. It’s best to contact a professional plumber for such a problem to prevent recurrence.
A qualified plumber is your best bet if you’re dealing with a clogged drain. But remember, prevention is better than cure. Keeping foreign objects out of your plumbing system can help prevent rampant clogs.
