When it comes to home maintenance, plumbing usually gets overlooked. That is, until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, this reactive approach can cause severe damage to your drains, pipes, home, and even your health. The key to drain maintenance is being proactive and one of the best ways to do this is with professional drain cleaning services.
Why Do I Need Drain Cleaning Services?
Clogged Drains Lead to Property Damage
If a clogged drain gets ignored, you put yourself at risk for some pretty substantial damage. Obstructions in your pipes cause pressure to build up overtime. Eventually, this leads to compromised joints, cracked or burst pipes, and lots of water damage to your property.
If you’ve ever had to repair water damage in your home, then you know how expensive it can get. The good news is that you can significantly increase the lifespan of your pipes and plumbing with regular drain cleaning services from the professional plumbers near you.
Property Damage Caused By Clogged Drains:
- Flooding
- Leaky Pipes
- Burst Pipes
- Backflow Issues
Clogged Drains Are Dangerous To Your Health
Not only can a clogged drains cause water damage and structural problems in your home, but they also cause health issues for you and your family. Clogged drains create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow in your pipes.
With all of the rain and flooding that Michigan has been experiencing, there’s been a drastic uptick in the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases. This nasty form of pneumonia is caused by inhaling water droplets which contain Legionella bacteria, a common type of bacteria found inside pipes and plumbing. Clogged drains increase the risk of bacteria, like Legionella bacteria, infecting you or your family.
If a clog causes your pipes to leak, then you’ll have another nasty problem: mold and pests. Leaky pipes provide pests with a steady source of water while the built up food and waste in your drain might as well be a bug buffet. That same leaky pipe creates the perfect home for mold as well.
Protect your home and your health by ensuring your pipes are clean, clear, and functioning properly. Taking a proactive approach by scheduling a professional drain cleaning service is the only way to be sure your pipes and drains are healthy.
Health Issues Caused By Clogged Drains:
- Mold Infestation
- Bacteria
- Pest Infestation
- Toxic Gases
What About DIY Drain Cleaning?
Okay look, there’s a time and a place for some DIY drain cleaning methods, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a professional plumber. The trick is to know when it’s time to call a professional plumber.
Some DIY methods, like vinegar and baking soda or using a plunger, can help clear out minor clogs in your drains but are useless against major clogs. Other DIY methods, like chemical drain cleaners, can actually do more harm than good.
Chemical drain cleaners are only good if you aren’t using them frequently and it’s very important to be careful with them. Mixing these with other chemicals can cause toxic gasses, like chloroform and chlorine gas, putting you and your family at risk. They can also heat up and even explode! The most important thing is to know when it’s time to call a professional plumber.
Signs That You Need Professional Drain Cleaning:
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- Frequently Clogged Drains
- Consistently Slow Draining
- Backed Up Water
- Gurgling Sounds In The Pipes As The Water Drains
- Smelly Backed Up Water
Professional Drain Cleaning: Step By Step
Step 1. Video Inspection
The first step in professional drain cleaning services is an initial video inspection of the drain and interior of the pipes. Using a tiny, fiber-optic camera, professional plumbers scope out the drains to locate the obstruction. Not only that, but the video inspection of your pipes also shows what state they’re in.
The video inspection can also help us find potential issues in the pipes before they become costly problems. Things like cracks, compromised joints, and invading tree roots can all be spotted in an initial video inspection of your pipes.
Step 2. Drain Clog Removal
Armed with the knowledge gained from the inspection, the plumber knows exactly what the obstruction is and what it’ll take to clear it out. The best part about having a professional plumber unclog and clean your drains is because they have the tools, experience, and know-how to get it done right.
Depending on the state of your pipes and the severity of your clog, plumbers have a couple different ways to clean out a drain. The typical way to do it is with a plumber’s snake. This gets fed into the pipes, breaking up anything that’s obstructing the flow of water and clearing it out of the pipes.
For more serious clogs, hydro-jetting is the answer. A long, narrow hose with a specialized tip is fed into the drain. Extremely high pressured water is jetted into the pipes, busting through the clog and clearing away the caked-on crud all throughout your pipes. This is one of the best things you can do for your pipes because it cleans everything out. After hydro-jetting, your pipes will be almost brand new.
Professional Drain Clog Removal Methods:
- Plunger
- Plumber’s Snake
- Hydro-Jetting
Step 3. Schedule the Next Service
The most important step in professional drain cleaning is up to you to do: scheduling the next appointment. It’s time to stop thinking reactively and start thinking proactively, and setting up a regular schedule for professional drain cleaning services is a great start. Services like hydro-jetting don’t need to be done frequently. However, having it done once per year, or even every 6 months, sets your pipes up for success.
This yearly service helps keep your pipes clear so you can avoid any unforeseen clogs and damage. With regular drain maintenance, you can even extend the lifetime of your pipes and drains while saving you money by avoiding unnecessary damage.
Keep Your Pipes Flowing With Professional Drain Cleaning
If you’re looking for ways to keep your drains clear and your pipes flowing, then professional drain cleaning services are the way to go. The expert plumbers here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing have everything they need to set your plumbing up for success. Whether it’s a clogged sink, toilet, tub, shower, or anything else, we’ve got your back.
Invest in a healthier sewer system and clean drains with regular drain cleaning services. Call us today at 810-207-6268 or request an appointment right here. You can get even more helpful tips and tricks for your plumbing problems by checking out our blog. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with our latest news and deals!