We’re so glad you asked! Keeping the drains clean in your home or a commercial space is important. Unfortunately, few people give drain cleaning the attention it deserves. And while a blocked or slow drain is an obvious indicator that you need to get your drain cleaned, you do not have to wait for a problem to happen. There is a lot of debris that finds its way to your drains from the kitchen sink, the shower, and the toilet, every day. We’re talking about everything from soap scum and food particles to hair and grease. So regular drain cleaning is required to stop a major clog from troubling you later.

Now, cleaning your drains is not a pleasant job, but if you get them cleaned regularly, it can protect your plumbing for a long time and ensure that all your plumbing fixtures continue to drain properly. In this blog we will talk about how to decide how often you need to get your drains cleaned and some easy tips on keeping them unclogged and fully functional.  

How do you know your drains need cleaning?

Slow drainage

Blocked drains usually do not happen overnight. A drain that empties out slowly is a clear indication that you have been neglecting your drains and allowing waste matter to build up and restrict the outflow of water. So if your kitchen sink or the shower drain are taking too long to clear, it’s a good idea to clean your drains or call for professional help.

Your Property Smells

Do you smell something bad around the house but there’s no obvious reason? Check your drain. Chances are that you need to get your drains cleaned. And the most usual suspects are kitchen drains because they have to handle much more waste than any other drains in the house. But a bad smelling drain could be anywhere so call for professional plumbers as soon as you can. You could have a bigger problem with your sewer system which store-bought drain cleaning powders or liquids may not be able to resolve.

Not Enough Regular Checks

If you’re only getting your drains cleaned once a year, it might be a good idea to increase that frequency even if you don’t notice any problems with your drainage. Regular preventive drain cleaning keeps everything running smooth and saves you from unnecessary expenses and troubles later on. Trust us! Regular drain cleaning is worth the peace of mind.

Types of drains

Kitchen drains need frequent cleaning especially if you’re in the habit of throwing all waste food into the sink. Bathroom drains can also get blocked faster with hair, soap scum etc. and will need frequent attention. Toilet drains typically do not cause frequent issues, unless someone tries to flush away things like cotton balls, wipes and other things not meant for the toilet. Get your yard drains at least once every six months because they are very important for the well-being of your property. Yard drains direct excess water towards the road and prevent it from damaging your home.

Old and full homes

If you live in a house with lots of people, especially children, then your drains need attention more often. And if your house is an older property, chances are your plumbing systems will be old too and are likely to get clogged more frequently than modern plumbing.

Why do you need to get your drains cleaned?

Well there are many reasons why getting your drains cleaned is something you can’t ignore but here are some of the more important ones:

A cleaner property

Regular maintenance of your drains will increase their efficiency and allow them to last longer without requiring repairs.

Prevent clogs 

Keep your drains free flowing with regular cleaning and maintenance.

No bad smells

Drain cleaning services by professional plumbers will prevent bad smells from stinking up your home or office.

Save money 

Unless you’re getting your drains cleaned regularly, a block or a clog could snowball into something bigger and cause an emergency which could cost you much more.

Regular drain cleaning may seem like a chore, but in the long term, you will save money and a lot of hassle.

How to clean your drains

Here are some ways how you can clean your drains and fix that sluggish water flow:

·  The easiest way to do this is to frequently plunge these drains and use air pressure to remove blockages clogging the pipes. In fact, always have a plunger handy to clear blockages. A flanged plunger works better, but if you don’t know how to use one call a professional plumber.

·  Pour boiling water down your drain to ‘melt’ away stubborn waste matter. Pouring the water from a few feet above the drain will bring in the force needed.

·   A professional plumber will use an auger or snake down the drain to spot and remove any blockage, breaking it up into smaller bits and then just washing them away.

·   Ensure your kitchen’s garbage disposal equipment is working efficiently and is being cleaned. Once you run the garbage disposal and turn it off, allow water to run through the drain for a few minutes to wash away any remnants.

·   Use simple tools like strainers in other drains to catch waste particles like hair so that they don’t flow down into the drain.

·   Simple kitchen ingredients like baking soda and vinegar mixed with a small amount of water also help unclog drains while removing bad smells.

·   Caution: Avoid using any strong chemical cleaners because they can damage your pipes, the environment, and your health.

Should you call a professional?

That depends on how bad the problem you’re facing. If there are bad smells all around, your drains are too sluggish, and no simple techniques have worked, then it’s time to call in professional plumbers. We also recommend not waiting until a crisis occurs and getting your drains cleaned by professionals every few months.Preventive drain cleaning is a simple and less expensive way to keep your plumbing running smoothly for a long time. Save yourself hassles and headaches later. Contact professional plumbers for drain cleaning services today. Call Albion Plumbing.