Drain Cleaning Services – When DIY Tools Fail

Drain Cleaning Services – When DIY Tools Fail

Blocked drains are one of the most common household complaints for the average homeowner, as well as residents and businesses. Be it a slow bathroom, kitchen, or even a foul-smelling floor drain, these are all potential issues that may arise and require professional intervention Drain cleaning services can help get rid of undesirable buildup, clear recurring issues and clogs, and restore the free passage of water.

Common Causes of Blocked Drains in Houses

Drains in different parts of the house get blocked by various types of deposits.

Bathroom Drains

Drains in the bathrooms get blocked by, • hair • soap deposits • dirt • shampoo buildup • hard water deposits • and • foreign objects In addition, some people might also introduce foreign matter such as small toys and objects into the drains, which causes internal blockage. The kitchen drains, on the other hand, get clogged by, • cooking oil • grease deposits • food particles • tea dust • remnants from cleaning agents • and • fat deposits Sometimes, the oil and fat might flow into the pipes and combine with other foreign matter causing blockage.

Indicators That You Might Need Drain Services

Besides having a completely blocked drain, there are several other signs that also indicate that you might need the services of a professional plumber. Drain issues do not always occur overnight; they develop gradually. Therefore, look out for the following warning signs: • Water flows slowly; • There is an unpleasant gurgling noise; • The smell coming from the drain is unpleasant; • There is backflow of water; • There are frequent drain problems; • Multiple drains are slow; • Water is backing up on the floor drains. Experiencing multiple blocked drains at the same time is an indication that there is a bigger issue affecting the whole house. This situation could need someone who knows a lot about plumbing to find and fix the problem.

Can You Fix a Blocked Drain Yourself?

Some small and easy blockages can be taken out using home methods. However you have to be careful not to go far when trying to clear a drain by yourself. Some of the ways to unclog a drain by yourself include: • Removing hair and other things from the sink; • Cleaning the drain cover; • Looking for blockages in the parts that are easy to reach; • Rinsing, with water checking if the drain is clear; • And making sure the water flows well after trying to unclog it. However, it is important to note that forcing hair and other foreign matters into the drain might damage the pipes or push the blockage deeper into the drain pipe. Using chemical cleaners is also not advisable if you do not know their effect on the pipes or the seal around the drain.

Using a Sunroof Drain Cleaning Tool

A sunroof drain cleaning tool is used to clear narrow and short sunroof drains found in cars. Therefore, it is not advisable to use it to clear household drains. This is because sunroof drains differ from household plumbing in terms of size, material, drain structure, type of blockage, and cleaning methods. Using a sunroof tool to clear domestic drains is not effective. In addition, it might push the blockage deeper into the pipe making the situation worse. If you have a sunroof on your car, it is best to use the sunroof drain cleaning tool recommended by the manufacturer or look for an alternative method.

Reasons for Frequently Blocked Drains

Most of us have, at some point, asked themselves, “why does my drain keep getting blocked?” The reason behind this is usually a small foreign object or a thick layer of grease deposits. However, in some cases, the frequent blockage may be caused by, • grease deposits, • mineral buildup, • incorrect pipe grading, • damaged pipes, • foreign objects, • heavy deposits, or • issues with the inner walls. If you experience frequent drain problems shortly after you attempt to clear them, it is best to call in a professional plumber. In addition to providing drain cleaning services, Gigwell offers other plumbing services to help you resolve related problems.

Bad Smell Coming From a Drain

A bad smell coming from a drain indicates the presence of unwanted waste in the drain pipe. There are numerous reasons why drains can start smelling, such as dirty drain traps, rotting organic waste deposits in the trap, dry floor drains, partial blockage, inadequate venting, and drainage pipe issues. However, simply clearing the visible drain is not usually enough to clear the drain smell. In addition to slow drainage, recurring unpleasant odors are an indication that something is wrong and you might need drain cleaning services.

When to Call a Professional for Drain Services

You should consider contacting a professional plumber for help if, • the drain is regularly blocked, • the water is overflowing, • you have multiple slow drains, • the foul odor keeps recurring, • your DIY unclogging attempts are not working, • water is backing up into another pipe, • or • you suspect that there are plumbing issues. A professional plumber can help resolve local blockage as well as more complex and underlying drainage problems. In case you have related pipe issues, Gigwell also offers pipe repair services.

How to Avoid Getting Blocked Drains

Blocked drains can be prevented by avoiding the following: • Throwing cooking oil and fat down the drain; • Throwing away waste matter down the toilet; • Allowing hair to accumulate in the drains; • Washing large food particles down the kitchen sink; • Neglecting slow drains; • Using the wrong tools to clear drains; • And, • avoiding regular drain maintenance. In addition to using drain covers, you should also perform regular drain cleaning to help prevent blockage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should drains be cleaned?

It is not possible to give a specific answer to this question as drain cleaning depends on the severity of the blockage. In general, blocked drains, slow drains, and foul-smelling drains should be cleared as soon as possible.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe?

Chemical drain cleaners should only be used occasionally. This is because chemical cleaners can weaken certain types of metals. In addition, they are also harmful to the environment.

Can a sunroof drain cleaning tool clear a home drain?

It is not advisable to use a sunroof drain cleaning tool to clear a home drain. Sunroof drain cleaners are designed to be used on car drains. They are not strong enough to clear household drains. In addition, they can also be potentially damaging to the pipes. #####When is a blocked drain an emergency? A blocked drain is only an emergency if the water is overflowing and causing damage to the property.

Conclusion

Blocked drains start as a minor nuisance but can, in many cases, lead to serious and expensive problems. While it is possible to resolve simple blockages using simple DIY methods, recurring blockage problems require the services of a professional plumber. Getting the right tools and having the expertise to resolve persistent drain issues can save you a lot of time and money in the future.