As a homeowner who wants to avoid major plumbing problems, you probably wonder, “How often should drains be cleaned?” At Covenant Plumbing, our team of expert plumbers knows all the best techniques for drain cleaning and remains passionate about keeping homes in excellent condition. When you need a professional drain cleaning service, you won’t find a company that produces better results.
Recommended Drain Cleaning Frequency
To avoid any serious issues, you should schedule drain cleaning for your plumbing system at least once a year. Some older homes, or those that don’t use the best practices for keeping a drain line clear, may require cleaning more often. To avoid further damage to your system, you should always rely on plumbing professionals to clean your drains.
You should also watch for the following signs you need plumbing service for your drains:
- You notice multiple drains have slow drainage.
- You experience toilet, shower, or sink backups.
- Your garbage disposal doesn’t work as effectively as normal.
- You smell rotting food or sewage coming from your shower drain, bathroom sink, or other areas.
Best Methods for Clearing Drain Lines
How often should drains be cleaned? As often as needed but at least once a year. Your plumber will use one or more methods depending on the location, severity, and nature of the drain clog.
Drain Snakes and Plungers
The most basic method of clearing drains involves using a mechanical or manual snake. These tools clean your drains by weaving through your pipes and either breaking down or dislodging the clog. For less severe blockages near the drain opening, a plumber may find a toilet or sink plunger adequate for the job.
Hydrojetting
Hydrojetting uses pressurized water to clean tough clogs from buried sewer lines and other difficult-to-reach blockages. Unlike traditional methods, it doesn’t require your plumbing service to dig up your floor to clear the problem.
Preventing Drain Pipes From Clogging
How can you keep your drains cleaned so you only need service once a year? Use the following best practices to prevent your drains from draining slowly:
- Even with garbage disposal, avoid putting sticky, sharp, or grainy food particles down your kitchen drain.
- Avoid letting soap scum and hair down your bathroom drains by installing a drain catcher.
- To keep your drains smelling fresh, sprinkle kitchen sink drains regularly with baking soda (weekly).
- If you notice slow drains, pour boiling water mixed with vinegar and baking soda down the drain.
- To prevent grease from getting in your pipes, always rinse your dishes with cold water. Hot water can melt the grease, solidifying it in your pipes.
- Never rinse drains with chemical cleaners you find at the hardware store. These drain-cleaning chemicals can corrode your pipes and cause them to burst.
Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning With Covenant Plumbing
How often should drains be cleaned? Whether you have a septic tank or traditional sewer system, Covenant Plumbing offers professional drain cleaning in Bloomington-Normal, IL with yearly service. Call (309) 340-1403 to book an appointment.
