Drain Cleaning 101: Signs You Need Professional Help

       Save Money by Professionally Cleaning Your Drain

Every day is an adventure when you’re a homeowner. There’s always a new job to handle. Simple problems like a slow or clogged drain brings you great frustration. Although this may start as a small issue, it could lead to a major plumbing problem in the future. For this reason, identifying the signs of a clogged drain saves you from spending lots of money on an expensive repair. While certain problems can be fixed on your own, it’s sometimes necessary to call a plumber, so it’s important to know when. In this guide, you’ll learn about the different signs you need professional help with a broken drain.

When to Call a Professional For Drain Repair

On your home repair journey, you should know that there are many signs a drain can be broken. For example, hair may get stuck in the shower drain. After doing the dishes, food gets clogged up in the sink. Objects could accidentally get caught in the drain. In your drain, there could also be hard water that leaves deposits inside your pipes. These mineral deposits slowly restrict water flow and contribute to clogs. 

Outdoor Plumbing System & Drainage Issues

Tree root intrusion in outdoor plumbing systems and sewer lines may contribute to drainage issues as well. If you’re experiencing this type of problem, what happens is that tree roots physically grow into the pipes, causing water flow to slow down or stop entirely. Long story short, the takeaway is that some drainage problems are bigger than others. Before it’s too late, you should definitely call a plumber if you notice any of these issues in your own house. 

Repairing a Slow Drain

One way many homeowners realize they need professional help is if water in the drain empties out slowly. With this type of home repair you need, it depends on whether the issue happens on a temporary basis or if it’s a recurring issue. Let’s start with the first one. For a short-term problem with the drain, what you can do is boil water and slowly pour it down the drain. Before each time you pour, wait a few seconds. 

        Solutions for Slow Drain Repairs

This is the ideal solution if your drain is emptying slowly when there’s grease or soap building up inside. Another way to fix this is to use a baking soda and vinegar solution. Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour one cup of vinegar into the sink or shower afterwards. For the next ten to fifteen minutes, you will need to let the solution fizz. Using this mixture lets you get rid of nasty buildup and reduce foul odors. 

      Solutions for Slow Drain Repair: Part 2

Another option is to use a plunger to loosen a minor clog caused by hair, food, or soap buildup. There are two types of equipment you can use - a sink or a cup plunger. While using a plunger, it’s important to tighten the seal by adding water. It builds pressure and helps lossen the clog efficiently. Once this step is completed, you’ll push down and firmly pull on the plunger for fifteen to twenty seconds. This method is ideal for loosening minor clogs near the surface of a shower or sink. 

Fix a Slow Drain With a Drain Snake

One other effective solution for a slow drain is using a drain snake. Begin by inserting the device into the drain and removing debris. With this type of equipment, it removes hair, soap scum, and buildup. This method is particularly effective for bathroom sinks and showers, where you might find different kinds of debris inside the drain.

Clean the Drain Stopper

Cleaning the drain stopper is another effective strategy for repairing a slow drain. Proceed by removing the stopper. It makes it easier to reach the blockage. Once you remove the drain stopper, you’re going to clean out hair and debris from the drain. Rinse and reinsert the drain stopper after you’ve removed the clog. Although this cause is often overlooked, it’s actually a pretty common reason for a slow drain. 

 Ongoing Problems With the Drain Require Maintanence 

Similar to repairing a slow drain, removing the stopper and clearing out the blockage is effective, but ongoing problems usually suggest a bigger issue. It’s likely that you’ll find the clog located deep inside the pipes. Household tools typically aren’t effective for this type of repair. For this kind of issue, you should call a technician to perform a thorough inspection and clean your drain.

  Unpleasant Odors Caused by Broken Drain

One sign you need a professional to repair your drain is if you’re noticing unpleasant odors in your house. There are a lot of reasons for this, including food, grease, or debris buildup. Odors typically indicate there’s deeper blockage from debris stuck inside the pipes. It decomposes and allows bacteria to grow beneath the surface. Buildup trapped in the drain gradually begins to smell foul. 

Why Drains Become Clogged

It’s usually never noticeable right away. There’s a science behind this as well. For example, blockages stop water from flowing down the drain as quickly. Instead of water flushing away, blockage causes moisture and debris to get stuck in the pipes. So, there’s absolutely no reason you shoudn’t let your local technician come to the rescue. Once you hire an expert to handle the repair, your plumber is going to find exactly where the problem with your drain is coming from. Overall, the goal is to clean and flush the entire system to remove blockages, debris, and anything else that seems to be causing the odor.

 Certain Sounds Indicate Drain Issues

Hearing gurgling sounds is another sign of a clogged drain. When blockages get trapped in the pipes, it stops the water from flowing normally. This leads to the gurgling noises coming from the drain. There are a few different reasons this happens. One is a partial drain clog, which restricts water flow instead of stopping it entirely. The second are blocked pipes. 

Reasons for Blocked Drain

Let’s get a deeper look at what this issue means. In certain situations, the problem could be because of a blocked plumbing vent, which lets air flow through the system and continues on to the roff. When you’re struggling with a blocked vent, it could cause gurgling noises, foul odors, slow darins and water backups due to poor air circulation in the pipes. Main sewer line issues can cause these noises as well. With a main sewer line issue, blockages stop water from flowing normally and it disrupts airflow in the drain pipes. This is typically due to blockage from tree roots, grease, or debris buildup. When airflow is restricted, it causes gurgling sounds often heard in sinks, toilets, and showers. 

          Notice the Signs Your Drain is Clogged

Noticing signs that your drain is clogged isn’t just limited to a slow drain, unpleasant odors, or gurgling sounds. Contact your local plumber if you’re frequently dealing with a clogged toilet, sink, or shower. If your drain becomes clogged regularly, it could be due to hidden buildup. In a study conducted by SupplyHouse.com, nearly 45% of Americans have experienced a clog caused by items that don’t belong in the drain. One way to tell if you have a major problem with a frequently clogged drain is if you’re constantly finding yourself plunging the toilet or purchasing store-bought cleaners. Frequent clogs usually indicate there is an underlying issue rather than a surface-level blockage. 

            Water Backups Signal Problems With Your Drain

Call a plumber if you’re experiencing water back up. One sign this is a serious issue in your home is if you notice water coming up through other drains. Standing water that doesn’t drain is another sign of a backup. Multiple drains being clogged up at once is a huge pain, but it definitely means our drain is backed up. Noticing foul odors coming from the drain is a health hazard and it also indicates your water is not draining properly. Every time you use your sink, toilet, or shower, if you’re hearing gurgling or bubbling noises, it’s indicative of a backup. 

When Drain Issues Become a Bigger Problem

While you’re facing issues with your drain, it’s important to identify when it becomes a bigger problem. There is a difference between a minor problem versus a major plumbing emergency. For example, when multiple drains are clogged at once, it could indicate a possible main line issue. By choosing to not address these issues, a broken drain could potentially lead to pipe damage, leaks, or water damage. Ignoring a small warning sign leads to larger problems in the future. 

When a Broken Drain Turns Into a Larger Issue

For example, when buildup continues to grow, debris gets trapped in the drain and causes a severe clog. Instead of just calling a professional for a quick clean, the buildup creates a major blockage. There’s a couple solutions for you, though. One solution is a comprehensive drain cleaning. Hydro jetting is another effective way to repair your drain. It involves using high-pressure water to clean out the pipes.

      What to Expect When You Hire a Specialist

Before hiring a specialist for professional services, you should know what to expect. For the first step, your repair technician is going to perform an inspection. Hydro jetting, which was mentioned earlier, is a common strategy technicians use to repair drains. During this process, a plumber will insert a hose into your drain. By using high water pressure, hydro jetting removes clogs, eliminates buildup, and cleans the walls inside your pipes. 

        Using Hydro Jets to Clean the Drain

While using hydro jetting, it will remove grease, soap scum, and buildup. After calling a specialist, your days of dealing with a clogged drain are over for the long term. In no time, your drain is going to work efficiently once again and safety in your home will be restored. There’s no better feeling than having this peace of mind. Since you now understand the importance of hiring a professional for plumbing services, let’s go over the different ways to avoid future drain clogs. 

What to Not Put in Your Drain

For example, do not pour grease down the drain. It creates serious pipe blockages, sewage backups, and costly plumbing repairs. Pouring grease down the drain can restrict water flow and cause major clogs. Stop hair and debris from clogging your drain by using a drain cover. Regularly cleaning the drain prevents hair, soap scum, and grease building up over time. On a similar note, scheduling routine maintenance with a drain cleaning service ensures your plumbing system runs smoothly. 

Detect Drain Problems Early: Final Thoughts

In the world of home owning, early detection is everything - saving you thousands of dollars on drain repairs. Instead of spending tons of money on an expensive home repair, you can use your money for something you enjoy. Go on that vacation to the Bahamas finally, purchase a big screen TV, or sell your house and take a dream road trip around the USA. In the end, you will thank yourself for the time and money you’re saving by preventing drain problems from taking over your life. Before an issue suddenly turns into an expensive repair, give your local technician a call - you’ll be glad you did!