How often do you think of cleaning your drains? Do you just do it when there’s a clog, or much more often? Without clean drains, your entire sewer system can fall apart. This can mean clogging, corrosion, and leaks can form if your drains are not taken care of.
Therefore it is essential to keep the drains in your kitchen and bathroom clear and working properly.
What Can Cause Dirty Drains?
When your drain is working, it is essential to keep your waste out of your home. That means it washes away dirt, food, hair, and more. Though it takes time for clogs to form, they do form. Some are easier to get rid of, while others block portions deeper in your pipes.
Over the years, particles will build up, especially if you have hard water, and will start to clog drains. The deeper the clog, the harder it is to get rid of. So what does that mean?
Potential Damage of Dirty Drains
A clogged drain system can cause real problems if left unattended.
Dirty drains are more likely to cause deterioration in the plumbing system. The layers of grime can lead to cracks in the pipes within the walls. Leaks from pipe blockage can result in property damage that may not even be seen until it is too late.
The buildup will lead to clogs that you can’t reach without a professional’s help. Pressure will build up in your pipes in harder to reach places. This pressure can cause slow water pressure, slow drainage, leaks, and burst pipes.
Benefits of Regular Drain Cleaning
Now that you know the dangers of having unchecked dirty drains, you should know the benefits of having clean ones.
Having a clean drain improves the lifespan of your drain by minimizing the damage that can accumulate over time. Beyond that, regular cleaning can get rid of bad odors caused by rotting food and other debris. When you have your drains professionally cleaned, this can remove foul odors as well.
A clean drain is also a faster drain. Drains can be prone to obstructions over time, which can lead to serious clogs. Cleaning your drains can clear clogs and you’ll even notice faster draining as a result.
Finally, clean drains will save you money in the long term. It will prevent costly repairs and will stop small issues from progressing into larger ones. To do a thorough cleaning, you should schedule regular drain maintenance, you can often catch small issues before they turn into big problems. Whether you have aging pipes, overflowing pipes, or pipe-damaging clogs, your plumber will be able to spot these early on.
How Often Should You Clean Your Drains
Deciding how often drains should be cleaned depends on many factors, such as the size of your house, how much you use your drains, and more.
Some small households may be able to get away with cleaning when it is needed, while larger homes may need regular maintenance. The general advice is that you should look into cleaning your drains at least once a year.
How To Prevent Drain Clogs
There are a few ways to prevent drain clogs, including:
Not putting grease, oil, sticky, pits, or fibrous materials down your drain
Invest in a drain catcher to block larger food debris and hair
Empty and clean your screen/catcher every week
Avoid using chemical cleaners as they can corrode your pipes with heavy use
Run hot water down your bathroom drains every week to clear any buildup
Have cold water running when your garbage disposal is on
How to Clean Your Drains
You can call a professional such as The BC Team once a year to help clean your home’s plumbing systems. Meanwhile, you can try a few DIY methods.
Don’t use chemical cleaners: According to ConsumerReports.org, most chemical drain cleaners are more trouble than they're worth. The report states that they can react with the metal in your pipes and give off healthy gases, or damage your pipes to the point of bursting.
Liquid, foam, and gel cleaners can also cause damage to pipes. Instead, try a more organic approach. You can try pouring boiling water down your drain, followed by a cup of baking soda, then by a 1:1 cup of water and vinegar. Cover your drain with a plug and wait 5-10 minutes before flushing your drain out with more boiling water.
You can also try pouring 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup lemon juice down drain. Plug the drain and let sit for one hour. Finish with a pot of boiling water. It should clean your drain and will leave it smelling fresh and citrusy!
If that doesn't work, you can plunge the drain, use a snake or physically remove the clog if you can reach it. Or you can call a professional to assist you! We at the BC Team are highly experienced and happily to assist you. Just give us a call!
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