Causes of Clogged Drains

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A simple clog may not seem like a big deal, but it can quickly get out of hand if you don’t schedule drain cleaning in Heath, TX. Clogged drains can lead to massive water damage and even plumbing damage depending on how long you let them sit. What may seem like a mild clog one day, can quickly turn into a massive one overnight if nothing is done. While it may be tempting to just use home remedies, most of these are only temporary solutions.

Within a few days or weeks your drain will be clogged again, and the results may not be so easy to handle this time. Most home remedies depend on harsh chemicals that actually corrode your pipes and are usually inefficient at clearing clogs. What they may do is eat away just enough for water to slowly drain through making it look like the clog is gone. In a couple of days, the sediment builds back up and suddenly the clog is back. This is why proper drain cleaning is so essential.

The good news is that proactive drain cleaning can actually prevent you from experiencing clogged drains at all. If you do have a clog, proper drain cleaning by a professional in Heath, TX can quickly and effectively eliminate the clog so you never have to deal with it again.

Fixing a clogged drain will not do you much good if you keep contributing to the clog. While sometimes things like a corroded pipe or tree roots cannot be avoided, you may have some bad habits that are inadvertently contributing to your drain issues. After a plumber cleans your drains, it is a good idea to look at your habits to figure out how you can prevent future clogs. Drain cleaning is only helpful if you take the right preventive steps alongside it.

Toiletries Down the Toilet- The number one cause of clogged toilets is bad flushing habits. Some people seem to think that if an item is stored in the bathroom it can go down the toilet. Bottom line, the only thing that should go down the toilet is toilet paper. Baby wipes, dental floss, cotton swabs, flushable wipes, and anything else that is not toilet paper does not belong in the toilet.

Grease Buildup in the Kitchen- If your kitchen drain is frequently clogging, you may want to watch how often you allow cooking grease to slip down the drain. Grease hardens as it cools and not only slows down pipes, but can completely buildup and block them over time. Your sink is not the proper places to dispose of kitchen grease.

Food Items- Far too often people think that because they have a garbage disposal they can put anything down the drain. This is not the case. Even regular drain cleaning in Heath, TX will not help you prevent clogs if you are regularly disposing of large fruits and vegetables, rice, or potato skins down the drain. These starches are all prone to sticking together in your pipes until nothing else can pass.

Signs That Your Drains Need Cleaned

Unsure if your drains actually need cleaned? While regular drain cleaning is a good way to make sure everything is working smoothly, there are some indications that you may need to call a plumber sooner than later. Here are a few of the most common signs that your drains need cleaned.

Sewage Backup- If you notice sewage starting to back up anywhere in your house or lawn it is time to immediately call a plumber to clear your drains. When there is a large sewage backup, most people notice it in a basement drain or in their yard. Sewage is not only extremely dirty and smelly, but it also carries bacteria and poses a health risk so it should be dealt with swiftly.

Foul Odors- Maybe you don’t see sewage yet, but you smell it coming out of your drains. That smell is a warning that if you don’t do something soon you will have a sewage backup to deal with in your house. Likely pollutants and substances are starting to buildup in your drains and the smell is wafting back up the drains.

Slow Draining- If you notice that it is taking longer than usual for your bathtub to drain after a shower or for your kitchen sink to drain after doing the dishes, it is time to call a plumber. Most likely there is already a partial clog in your drains, and if you don’t do anything it will eventually become a full clog. Quick action by a plumber can prevent this from happening.

Multiple Clogs- You may have used the plunger or a drain snake from a hardware store and cleared a clog once, but if the clog keeps coming back then you need to call in a plumber. At this point professional drain cleaning is needed because the recurring clogs are proof that you are not effectively clearing the clog.

Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning

A lot of people think that a snake they buy from the store or some drain clear is enough to take care of clearing a clogged pipe. However, at best these are usually just short-term solutions with the risk of causing more issues. A professional plumber can use high tech tools to actually look down your drain and ensure the clog is fully removed. They can also check the condition of your pipes to see if you need to think about more serious repairs to prevent future clogs.

If you are unsure of what is causing a clog, then it is best to turn to the professionals for drain cleaning. They can ascertain whether it truly is a minor clog, or whether there is a firm blockage, crack in the pipes, or collapsed piping causing the issue. After a thorough investigation bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North East Dallas in the Heath, TX area can properly clean your drains and ensure you won’t have another issue in the near future provided you follow proper drain usage rules.