Keeping your drains clean and clear is a key part of keeping your home safe and comfortable. Clogged drains can lead to a variety of problems, including health risks and major water damage. When ignored, backups from clogged drains can even compromise the structural integrity of your home. Fortunately, there are a few telltale signs that it’s time to call a professional drain cleaner.
1. Gurgling Noises
Gurgling in the drains indicates trapped air in the pipes, hindering normal water flow. Some of the most common causes of gurgling noises include obstructions in drain lines, inadequate ventilation or broken pipes. Pipes will eventually break, leak or explode due to the strain and pressure that this puts on your plumbing system. Moreover, if left unattended, gurgling drains will cause sewage backups and expensive repairs. To resolve gurgling sounds, plumbers may use a plumbing snake to remove any clogs from the drain or sewage line. The plumber may have to dig up the blockage if snaking doesn’t work.
2. Standing Water
When debris, such as hair or grease, builds up in a pipe and prevents water from flowing freely, the result is standing water. If you want the water to drain again, you have to remove the blockage and clean the pipe. A liquid drain cleaner is one option, but it’s usually best to call a professional.
3. Slow Draining
Slow-draining water is a warning that the drain is starting to clog. You might be able to clear the clog with a plunger. If not, you’ll need to contact a plumber. Your home’s plumbing system depends on clean, unclogged drains that drain water efficiently. If you don’t address a slow drain right away, nasty bacteria and germs will fester in your pipes.
4. Foul Odors
Any time you notice a foul odor coming from a drain, you need to be extra careful. A smell of rotten eggs might indicate the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas; this smell develops when bacteria in the drain feed on debris. The gas can easily mix with methane from a sewer gas leak, becoming very toxic and explosive. Having a plumber inspect and clean the drain is the best thing to do if you notice this smell.
Other reasons that drains develop foul odors include bacteria and gunk buildup from hair, soap, grease or fat. If the home’s water experiences sulfate issues, you might also notice a bad smell. A plumber can use special tools to identify the exact cause of the unpleasant scent and apply the best fix to clean the drain.
5. Fruit Flies
When you see fruit flies around your drains, it’s probably because there’s organic material or buildup in your pipes that gives these pests a place to grow. It could also be an indication of a clog or obstruction. If you choose to ignore fruit flies, you might end up with a more serious problem with your drains, including sluggish drainage or bad smells. Plumbers can mechanically clean the drain, removing any organic material or slime that could be hiding there.
6. Frequent Clogs
A clogged drain once every year or two is common in most households. If you’re dealing with clogs every few weeks or months, though, you should have a plumber see what the problem is. It could be that one of the pipes has a tree root intrusion. This occurs when tree roots spread underground and grow into pipes. There might also be mineral buildup in the plumbing. No matter the cause, fixing frequent clogs is essential to protecting your home’s comfort and water supply.
7. Rising Water Costs
If your water bill keeps going up, it may be time to have the drains cleaned. Clogged or blocked drains reduce water flow, leading to inefficient drainage and higher water consumption. Cleaning the drains will ensure that the water can flow freely and efficiently, reducing water waste and your water bill.
8. Air Bubbles in the Toilet
If you see air bubbles rising to the top of the water in the toilet bowl, it might be a sign of a clogged toilet drain. The accumulation of buildup from waste, toilet paper and other debris, such as feminine hygiene products, is the most common cause of toilet drains that clog. Even a slight obstruction can reduce water flow and lead to bubbling. A plumber will choose from a variety of solutions, ranging from mechanical snaking to hydrojetting, to fix the problem.
9. Overflowing Toilet
Toilets can overflow for a number of reasons, with clogged drains being the most frequent cause. Ignoring a clogged toilet means you can’t flush it, which puts it out of service. Some clogs are easily removable with a plunger. However, some will require the assistance of a trained plumber. Fixing the problem might require the use of a cable cleaner, which has spinning blades that cut through stubborn clogs.
10. Using Excessive Amounts of Drain Cleaner
If you find yourself excessively using drain cleaners, you might be harming your plumbing more than helping it. Pipes, particularly plastic and older pipes, are susceptible to cracking and failure when exposed to drain cleaners on a regular basis. The mix of powerful chemicals used by chemical drain cleaners allows them to effortlessly burn through any pipe obstructions, but they will also expose the pipes to gas and heat. Drain cleaners also include chemicals that can corrode metal fittings, chalking and outdated seals.
What to Expect During Drain Cleaning
It’s imperative that you contact a plumber immediately upon discovering any of the above-mentioned warning signs. If you know exactly what’s causing the problem, you can let the plumber know. If you’re not sure, that’s okay too. The plumber will conduct a thorough inspection of your plumbing to determine the extent of any damage, the main culprit and the best way to clean the drains.
The plumber will take precautions to safeguard your house before beginning any substantial work. If necessary, they may use an inline camera to get a clearer picture of what’s inside the drain. After cleaning each drain, they’ll make sure all water fittings and fixtures work properly.
Drain Maintenance Tips
Clean your drains regularly with hot water to keep them clear of small particles of food and debris that can lead to clogs. If possible, install and use a garbage disposal to grind up food; this makes it easier to go down the drain. Never put grease, fat or oils down the drains, as they can easily stick to the side and cause clogs. Schedule annual drain cleanings to keep the pipes and drains in tip-top shape.
TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can help protect your home’s plumbing with expert water heater flushing, drain cleaning and sump pump maintenance. We also offer heating, cooling and indoor air quality services. Call us now to schedule drain cleaning for your Plainfield, IL, home.
