Keeping the drains in your home clean is essential for ensuring you can always use your plumbing as needed. Clogged drains are by far one of the most common plumbing issues, and clogs usually happen simply as a result of not using the drain properly. There are some steps you can potentially take to keep your drains clean on your own, but having your drains professionally cleaned on occasion is equally as important.
The Importance of Regular Drain Cleaning
Quite a bit of scum and debris always ends up collecting inside drains and drain pipes. You especially end up with slime and gunk building up inside of the P-trap directly underneath any drain. The purpose of a P-trap is to trap noxious, foul-smelling sewer gases inside the drain pipe so that they can’t flow out of the drain into your home.
The way it works is that there is always water inside the bend at the bottom of the trap, which creates an airtight barrier that blocks the sewer gases. The problem is that you end up with a black slime known as biofilm growing inside the P-trap and drain. Biofilm is just various types of bacteria that live inside of drains and feed on grease, soap, food scraps, hair and other organic materials. Over time, the slime can get so thick that it starts to clog up the drain and P-trap so that everything drains more slowly than it should.
Cleaning your drains regularly helps to get rid of the biofilm and eliminate any other solids so that your drains continue working as they should. If you don’t ever clean your drains, there’s a much higher chance that you’ll encounter clogs that make your sink or shower unusable until you can get the drain unclogged.
Pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drains every few weeks is fairly effective for cleaning them and eliminating any bad odors. There are also special enzyme treatments you can pour down the drain that will work to eliminate the bacteria. The only issue is that you can really only clean out the P-trap and drain itself. In terms of the actual drain pipes, there really isn’t much you can do yourself to ensure they stay clean. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a plumbing service perform a full drain cleaning on occasion.
As long as you’re careful about what ends up going down your drains, a full professional cleaning is usually only necessary every few years or whenever issues arise. You may have an older home with cast iron drain pipes instead of PVC. If so, you’re better off having it done at least yearly to get rid of all of the rust and corrosion that forms inside the pipes.
If you notice that a drain is suddenly slow and the water makes a glugging sound as it goes down, it’s a good indication you’re dealing with a partial clog. If baking soda and vinegar doesn’t fix the issue, it’s a good idea to call a plumber before the drain completely clogs. If you’re experiencing this issue with all of your drains, it’s an indication that you instead need to have your sewer line cleaned. In this case, you definitely shouldn’t wait to call a plumber since the pipe could completely clog and end up causing sewage to back up in your house.
Why You Should Avoid Using Chemical Drain Cleaner
When it comes to drain cleaning, the worst thing you can do is use a caustic chemical drain cleaner. These products are quite effective at eliminating clogs, but that’s because the chemicals they contain are so incredibly harsh and corrosive. Most drain cleaning products contain extremely strong acids that eat right through hair, food scraps, toilet paper and waste, etc. The problem is that the acids are strong enough that they can also start eating through pipes, which weakens the pipe and increases the chances of it leaking.
Crystal drain cleaning products instead contain extremely strong alkaline chemicals such as lye. These chemicals are just as corrosive and can also damage your pipes. Even worse, an exothermic chemical reaction occurs when the chemicals come into contact with the water in the drain. Exothermic means the reaction produces heat, which allows the chemicals to essentially melt or dissolve fat, grease, soap, hair and anything else in the drain. The issue is that the reaction creates so much heat that it can also lead to the drain pipe warping, which again creates the potential for it to develop a leak.
The fact that drain cleaner can damage your plumbing means it really isn’t worth the risk. Instead, you should always try to get rid of the clog using a sink or toilet plunger. If this doesn’t work, you’re always better off calling a plumber to have the drain professionally cleaned. What you’ll end up paying to have a plumber clear the drain is nothing compared to what you may have to pay to have your drain system repaired or a drain pipe replaced.
Why Pouring Bleach Down Your Drains Is Also a Bad Idea
Some people will tell you that pouring bleach down your drains regularly is a good way to keep them clean and smelling fresh. While it is true that bleach will quickly kill any bacteria in the drain and P-trap, it can also end up damaging your plumbing.
As with drain cleaner, bleach is caustic enough that it can end up damaging your drains, drain pipes and sewer line. It is especially damaging to metal pipes since it reacts with the metal and causes it to corrode. It can also end up dissolving the glue or sealant used to connect PVC pipes. This is a serious issue since it can lead to a drain pipe inside of a wall or ceiling leaking, which will then require a fairly major repair.
Tips for Avoiding Drain Issues
When it comes to keeping your drains clean and in good shape, the most important thing is to just be extra careful about what goes down your sinks, toilets and showers. Using sink and shower strainers is an easy way to keep food scraps and hair out of your drains. If you have a garbage disposal, you also need to be careful about how you use it.
The biggest mistake people make with their garbage disposal is thinking that it can handle anything. Small pieces of some types of food are fine, but you should always avoid putting any starchy or fibrous foods into the disposal since these can easily end up causing a clog. This includes things like rice and other grains, potatoes, beans, pasta, etc. You should also never wash coffee grounds down the drain since this can also easily result in a clog.
Contact Us Today
If you’re dealing with a leak or clog or just want to have your drains cleaned, the experts at Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing are here to help. We provide top-notch plumbing, drain and sewer services throughout the Canton area, and you can also turn to us for all of your electrical needs. To request any plumbing or electrical service, contact us today.
