A clogged drain can quickly become a nuisance and even a health hazard in your home or business. But when it comes to drain cleaning services, the internet is full of DIY solutions and remedies, to resolve minor clogs. However, in busy day-to-day life, how can you tell if it’s time for a drain cleaning service? When are simple household products or remedies not enough and your drain requires the attention of a professional?
Here are some clues that it may be time to pick up the phone and do it fast!
1. Your slow drain just won’t clear up!
An occasional slow drain is no reason for alarm. Your shower may need to be cleaned from that clump of hair that’s bunched up at the entrance of your drain and your kitchen drain may need a little extra cleaning. But if despite your best efforts to keep your drains clean, efficient draining is a struggle – it’s more than likely that there’s an issue deeper down your drain line. Even a minor clog somewhere in the depths of your drain can quickly grow and cause more severe damage, leaking, and cracking. To clear this up call a professional to inspect the situation and perform a thorough drain cleaning to prevent severe problems down the line (literally).
2. Your drain won’t drain at all.
If your drain has gone on strike and refuses to drain at all – you most certainly have a clog on your hands. You may be tempted to grab a plunger and plunge away until the obstruction budges and while this may temporarily fix the situation – it’s all too likely that buildup is still in your drain and will clog up again within a matter of time.
3. Your drain clogs up on a regular basis.
If your drain clogs up on a regular or frequent basis, the issue could be more severe than your leftover dinner scraps sticking around. Recurring drain clogs could mean that the pipes in your are old and corroding. It could mean that your pipes are rusty or clogged by years of mineral buildup from hard water. Deposits such as limescale can be dangerous for your plumbing system. If limescale successfully blocks your pipes completely, you may be forced to replace the drain pipes altogether.
4. Your drain makes funk noises.
Your plumbing system can make many different sounds and each of them points to a different issue. The sound associated with draining issues is gurgling. For example, a main sewer line clog creates negative pressure which pushes air back up through your drains, instead of letting it flow through, resulting in gurgling noises. Sewer line clogs are more severe than drain clogs and require immediate attention, as they have the potential to pose serious health hazards.
5. Drain flies moved in.
Drain flies, or sewer gnats, breed in drains that have been contaminated with sewage. So if you find drain flies in your bathroom or near your drain, you might have a bigger problem than some uninvited tenants. Drain flies are small and grey, they do not bite or sting but they can spread bacteria. The most effective method of evictioning these intruders is to destroy the breeding grounds with a thorough drain cleaning service.
Keeping your drains clean and well maintained will ensure that they continue working efficiently and prevent frequent clogs. Though there are daily steps you can take to keep your drains clean, having your drains cleaned professionally at least once a year will allow you to address potential problems not visible to the eye, saving you a hassle and money in the future. Here at VIP Sewer and Drain Services, we specialize in drain maintenance and repair, and for plumbing emergencies we’re available to assist you 24/7!