The drains in your home serve an important purpose as a connection point between your plumbing and sewer systems. But plumbing drains get clogged all the time, and homeowners become very accustomed to dealing with the issue themselves. But how do you know when it’s time to call in the professionals?
You can try tackling the issue yourself, but here are some signs you need to hire a professional for drain cleaning as well as some reasons you shouldn’t try to fix the problem yourself.
Drain clogs form slowly over time as waste sticks to the walls of the drain pipe. This slowly restricts the flow of water through the pipe, eventually blocking it completely as the waste buildup meets in the center. If you notice that one of your drains is draining more slowly than it normally does, you should schedule drain cleaning services as soon as possible.
Bad smells can also occur due to waste buildup in the drain pipes. This is most common in kitchen drains, as they deal with a lot of food waste. If your drain smells like a sewer, it’s a good idea to have a professional clean it out. You should note, however, that if the smells are coming out of more than one drain, it could indicate a problem deeper in your sewer system.
Regularly experiencing clogs in your drains, even after attempting to clear them, suggests a buildup of debris in your pipes. Similarly, if you find yourself frequently dealing with the same clogs in the same drains, it’s likely an ongoing issue that needs attention. If multiple drains throughout your home are slow or clogged simultaneously, it may also signal a blockage in the main sewer line.
If you hear gurgling sounds when water is draining, it may indicate air trapped in the pipes due to a blockage. If you have water backing up through the drains in your sinks, toilets, or showers when using other fixtures, this can be another clear sign of a clogged drain.
If you’re a busy homeowner, you may not always remember to take the time to schedule the services your home may need. Here at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we want to urge you to schedule professional drain cleaning at the first sign of a clog. A clogged drain can threaten your plumbing and cause sewage to backup into the drains, posing a major health hazard and forcing you to do some rather unpleasant cleaning. So why else should you trust the job to a professional?
Chemical cleansers, even store-bought types, are caustic and dangerous, and can lead to serious injury if not handled properly. Similarly, store-bought tools often won’t do the job and can also be dangerous if handled without the proper training. A good plumber handles hundreds of clogged drains every year, and knows how to treat the issue safely.
Store-bought solutions tend to adopt a one-size-fits-all model, which doesn’t always treat the clog the way it should. In many cases, the clog is left partially in place, leading to more clogging later on down the line. Professionals have access to specialty equipment as well as reliable know-how, so the problem gets treated right the first time.
Not only do store-bought solutions rarely perform efficiently, but they can end up damaging the pipes themselves or other components in your plumbing system. That can lead to substantial repair bills down the line. A licensed and bonded plumber offers guarantees of quality work, ensuring that your pipes aren’t inadvertently damaged while repairing a drain.
Pipes and drains need periodic maintenance and cleaning to stay in good working order. But there’s only so much you can do on your own to clean out your drains. The likelihood of a clog developing is higher if a professional hasn’t examined your plumbing in well over a year. You can schedule drain cleaning as part of annual plumbing maintenance to blast any stuck-on sludge from the lining of the pipes and prevent the possibility of clogs appearing in the near future.
Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical provides drain cleaning services of all kinds throughout Denver, CO and the surrounding area. If you have any kind of clogged or slow-flowing drain, call today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert plumbers!
We’re ready to answer your questions or schedule your appointment, call now or book online!