If you notice that the kitchen sink is draining slower than usual, it may be because the drain is clogged. A clogged drain may also be the reason why your tub is full of water while taking a shower or why there is standing water in the washing machine after a cycle is completed. Let’s take a look at what you can do to keep your drains clear, to clean your drains and what you should do if you notice the signs of a clogged drain.
How Often Should You Clean Your Drains?
Most drain clogs are caused by a buildup of grease, hair or similar materials accumulating in a sink or shower pipe. You can get rid of any gunk that has built up in a drain by pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar directly into it. Using natural drain cleaning materials prevents damage to your home’s plumbing system while also preventing caustic chemical fumes from wafting throughout your home. Ideally, you will clean your pipes at least once a month for best results.
What If Baking Soda and Vinegar Aren’t Enough?
Baking soda and vinegar generate extreme amounts of heat when they interact with each other. This heat is what causes hair, grease and other organic materials to essentially melt away. However, if material is deep within the drain, unclogging it will likely require the use of a snake. If the problem is caused by a foreign object, you may need to take apart the drain, remove the object and put it back together again.
Should You Hire Someone to Complete To Clean Your Drains?
There is a good chance that you know how to pour baking soda and vinegar down a drain. There is also a good chance that you can use a snake or take apart the pipe underneath the sink without issue. However, it’s possible that you won’t be able to locate the source of the clog despite your best efforts. If you have a physical disability, you may not be able to take even simple steps to resolve a plumbing issue on your own.
In either scenario, call our trusty wizards. They have access to cameras and other equipment that can look deep into a drain pipe to determine if a clog is caused by a clump of hair or by tree roots.
A clogged drain could result in sewage, contaminated water or other undesirable materials getting into your home. These materials could make it unsafe to wash dishes, take a shower or get a drink straight from the faucet. In addition, you may deal with foul odors, mold growth or other problems associated with moisture that is allowed to linger in a sink or tub drain. Therefore, it’s critical to keep your drains clean and to address plumbing issues as quickly as possible.