Tag Archives: unclogging drains

Apr '24

The Hidden Dangers of Clogged Drains: How They Could Be Causing Unpleasant Odors in Your Home

When it comes to maintaining a clean and hygienic home, most of us focus on visible surfaces such as countertops, floors, and furniture. However, there is one essential aspect that often goes unnoticed but can have a significant impact on the overall cleanliness of your home: the drains. Clogged drains not only cause inconvenience in terms of slow water drainage but can also lead to unpleasant odors permeating throughout your living space. Below we will explore the hidden dangers of clogged drains and how they could be causing these bothersome odors in your home.

The Effect of Clogged Drains on Your Home

Many homeowners underestimate the potential problems that can arise from clogged drains. From the kitchen sink to the bathroom shower, every drain in your home plays a crucial role in keeping things flowing smoothly. When a drain becomes clogged, the consequences can be far-reaching and affect various areas of your home.

Slow Drainage: One of the most obvious signs of a clogged drain is slow water drainage. Whether it’s the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or shower, if you notice water taking longer to drain than usual, it could be an indication of a clog. As the clog worsens, the drainage problem will become more apparent, causing inconvenience and frustration.

Unpleasant Odors: Clogged drains are a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that thrive in the damp and dark environment. These microbes break down the accumulated organic matter, producing foul-smelling gases that can quickly fill your home. If you notice unpleasant odors emanating from your drains, it is a clear sign that there is a clog that needs to be addressed.

Water Backups: When a drain is severely clogged, water can begin to back up into your sinks, tubs, and toilets. This backup can be extremely messy and unsanitary, leading to potential water damage and health hazards. It is essential to address clogged drains promptly to prevent water backups and the subsequent damage they can cause.

It is essential to address clogged drains promptly to prevent water backups and the subsequent damage they can cause.

The Link Between Clogged Drains and Odors

Now that we understand the potential problems that clogged drains can cause let’s take a closer look at the connection between clogged drains and unpleasant odors in your home. When organic matter such as food particles, soap residue, and hair accumulate in your drains, they become trapped and start to decompose. As the decomposition process occurs, foul-smelling gases like hydrogen sulfide are released.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that has a distinct rotten egg smell. If you detect a similar odor in your home, it is likely a result of clogged drains. The longer the clog remains untreated, the worse the odor will become. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away; in fact, it will only exacerbate the problem and make your living space increasingly unpleasant.

In addition to hydrogen sulfide, clogged drains can also produce other harmful gases such as methane. Methane is a highly flammable gas that poses a significant risk to your home’s safety. It is crucial to address clogged drains promptly to prevent the accumulation of these hazardous gases.

Preventing Clogged Drains

The best approach to dealing with clogged drains is prevention. By following a few simple tips, you can minimize the likelihood of experiencing drainage issues and unpleasant odors in your home.

Use Drain Screens: One of the most effective ways to prevent clogs is by installing drain screens in all your sinks and tubs. These screens catch hair, food particles, and other debris, preventing them from entering the drain and causing obstructions.

Dispose of Grease Properly: Pouring cooking grease down the drain is a common mistake that many homeowners make. Grease solidifies and can accumulate in your pipes, leading to stubborn clogs. Instead, allow grease to solidify and dispose of it in the trash.

Avoid Dumping Food Scraps: Food scraps should never be disposed of in the sink. Even small particles can accumulate over time and create blockages. Use a compost bin or garbage disposal for food waste.

Clean Drains Regularly: Regularly cleaning your drains can help prevent the build-up of residue and debris. You can use a homemade solution of vinegar and baking soda or a drain cleaning product recommended by professionals.

a drain cleaning plumber unclogging a drain.

A professional plumber has the expertise and equipment to clear even the most stubborn clogs.

Addressing Clogged Drains

If you already have a clogged drain causing unpleasant odors in your home, it is crucial to address the issue promptly. While there are various do-it-yourself methods available, it is advisable to seek professional help to ensure a thorough and lasting solution.

Professional Drain Cleaning: A professional plumber has the expertise and equipment to clear even the most stubborn clogs. They will use specialized tools such as sewer rodding machines or hydro jetting to remove the obstruction and restore proper drainage.

Plumbing Inspection: In some cases, clogged drains may be a symptom of a more significant plumbing issue. A professional plumber can conduct a thorough inspection of your plumbing system to identify any underlying problems that need to be addressed.

Drain Maintenance: Once the clog has been cleared, it is essential to establish a regular drain cleaning service routine to prevent future issues. A plumber can provide guidance on the best practices for keeping your drains clean and free-flowing.

The Importance of Professional Help

While there are numerous do-it-yourself methods available for clearing clogged drains, seeking professional help is often the best course of action. Professional plumbers have the knowledge, experience, and specialized tools to effectively address clogged drains and prevent further complications.

Attempting to tackle the problem yourself may provide temporary relief but could result in the issue resurfacing. Moreover, without proper expertise, you may unintentionally cause damage to your pipes or exacerbate the clog, leading to more significant problems and costly repairs in the future.

By investing in professional help, you can have peace of mind knowing that the clog will be effectively addressed, and measures will be taken to prevent future occurrences.

In Summary

Clogged drains can have hidden dangers that extend beyond inconvenience and slow drainage. The unpleasant odors they cause can permeate throughout your home and negatively impact your living environment. Understanding the link between clogged drains and odors is essential in addressing the issue promptly and seeking professional assistance when needed.

By following preventive measures and establishing regular drain maintenance routines, you can minimize the chances of experiencing clogged drains and the associated unpleasant odors. Remember, professional help is always available to provide thorough and lasting solutions to your clogged drain woes.

Don’t ignore the warning signs of clogged drains! Act quickly and take the necessary steps to ensure a clean, odor-free home for you and your family.

Jun '23

How To Maintain And Prevent Your Drains From Getting Clogged

Clogged drains are a common household problem that can be frustrating to deal with, especially when they happen unexpectedly. They can cause water to back up, unpleasant odors, and even damage to your plumbing system. Fortunately, there are simple ways to maintain and prevent clogs in your drains.

Understanding What Causes Clogged Drains

Before we get into how to prevent and maintain your drains, it’s important to understand what causes clogs in the first place. Some common causes of clogged drains include:

Excess hair, soap scum, and dirt buildup in bathroom drains

Food particles, grease, and oil buildup in kitchen drains

Foreign objects such as cotton swabs, dental floss, and small toys

Tree roots in outdoor drains

How To Maintain Your Drains

Regular maintenance is the key to preventing clogs from forming in the first place. Here are some simple ways to keep your drains in good condition:

Use A Drain Strainer

One of the best ways to prevent clogs in your kitchen sink is to use a drain strainer. This will catch food particles, grease, and oil before they have a chance to go down your drain. Similarly, using a strainer in your shower and bathtub can catch hair and soap scum.

Flush Your Drains Regularly

Flushing your drains with hot water on a regular basis can help prevent buildup and keep them flowing smoothly. Simply boil a kettle or pot of water and pour it down your drain. Do this once a week to keep your drains in good condition.

Keep Your Drains Clean

Regular cleaning can go a long way in preventing clogs. In the bathroom, use a natural cleaner to scrub the inside of your drains and remove any buildup. In the kitchen, avoid pouring grease and other oils down your sink and clean the drain stopper regularly.

How To Prevent Clogged Drains

In addition to regular maintenance, there are other steps you can take to prevent clogs from forming in the first place.

In The Kitchen

The kitchen sink is one of the most common places for clogs to occur. Here are some tips to keep it flowing smoothly:

Scrape your plates and dishes into the trash before washing them

Avoid putting grease, oil, and other fats down the drain

Use a strainer to catch food particles

Flush your drain with hot water regularly

In The Bathroom

The bathroom is another area where clogs commonly occur. Here are some tips to prevent them:

Use a drain strainer to catch hair and soap scum

Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet

Don’t pour chemicals down the drain, as they can damage your pipes and the environment

Flush your drain with hot water regularly

Outdoors

Outdoor drains, such as those in your yard or driveway, can also become clogged. Here are some tips to prevent this:

Avoid pouring chemicals down outdoor drains, such as fertilizers or pesticides

Avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to your outdoor drains, as their roots can grow into the pipes and cause clogs

Use a drain strainer or cover to catch leaves and other debris that can fall into outdoor drains

Flush your drains with hot water regularly

When To Call A Professional

If you’ve tried the above methods and your drain is still clogged, it may be time to call a plumber for a sewer rodding service. Plumbers have rodding machines and expertise to diagnose and fix the problem quickly and effectively.

How Much Will A Plumber Cost For A Clogged Drain?

The cost of hiring a plumber to clear a clogged drain varies depending on the severity of the problem and where you live. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 for a clogged drain. However, this cost can vary depending on the time of day, the day of the week, and the complexity of the job.

Conclusion

By following these simple tips, you can maintain and prevent clogs in your drains. Regular maintenance is critical to keeping your pipes flowing smoothly and avoiding costly repairs. Remember to use a strainer, flush your drain with hot water regularly, and keep your drains clean to prevent clogs from forming. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to call a local drain cleaning service.

Jun '23

Clogged and Slow Drains? It Might Be Time to Check Your Sewer Line

Ah, the joys of homeownership. The freedom to paint your walls whatever ghastly color you want, the endless yard work, and of course, the satisfaction of dealing with clogged and slow drains. Yes, nothing screams “adulting” like plunging a toilet or fishing out hair from the shower drain. But what happens when the clogs just won’t go away? Before you break out the heavy-duty chemicals or call your uncle who thinks he’s a DIY extraordinaire, it might be time to check your sewer line.

What Causes Clogged and Slow Drains?

Before we dive into the sewer line discussion, let’s get to the root of the problem. What causes clogged and slow drains in the first place? The answer is simple – gunk and debris that accumulate over time and obstruct the flow of water. This can happen in any drain, whether it’s your kitchen sink, bathtub, or toilet. In the kitchen, grease and food scraps are common culprits, while in the bathroom, hair and soap scum reign supreme.

If you’re dealing with a single clogged drain, there are a variety of DIY solutions you can try, such as using a plunger or drain snake. However, if you notice that multiple drains in your home are slow or backed up, it’s a sign that the issue is deeper than just one drain.

The Role of Your Sewer Line

Your home’s sewer line is responsible for carrying all wastewater from your home to the sewage treatment plant or septic system. It’s buried underground and connects to all of your home’s plumbing fixtures. Over time, a buildup of gunk and debris can accumulate in the sewer line, causing clogs and obstructions that prevent proper flow.

A damaged sewer line can also lead to issues, such as leaks or tree roots growing into the pipes and causing damage. If left unchecked, these issues can lead to more serious and costly problems, such as sewage backups and flooding. That’s why it’s important to proactively check your sewer line if you notice persistent issues with your drains.

A professional plumber will insert the camera into a cleanout, which is an access point to the sewer line located either inside or outside your home.

How to Check Your Sewer Line

So, how do you check your sewer line? Unless you’re a professional plumber, it’s not something you can just do on a whim. You’ll need specialized equipment, such as a sewer camera, to inspect the inside of the pipes. A professional plumber will insert the camera into a cleanout, which is an access point to the sewer line located either inside or outside your home.

The camera will allow the plumber to see the condition of the pipes and identify any obstructions or damage. Depending on the severity of the issue, the plumber may recommend a variety of solutions, such as hydro jetting service to remove clogs or sewer line repair or replacement.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried DIY solutions and are still dealing with persistent clogs and slow drains, it’s time to call in the professionals. While it may be tempting to keep trying DIY fixes or ignore the issue altogether, doing so can lead to more serious and costly problems down the line.

A professional plumber will have the equipment and expertise necessary to identify and fix the issue quickly and efficiently. They can also perform routine maintenance and camera inspections in your sewer line to prevent future issues from cropping up.

The Bottom Line

Clogged and slow drains are a common issue for homeowners, but they’re not something to take lightly. If you’re dealing with persistent drain issues, it might be time to check your sewer line. A damaged or obstructed sewer line can lead to serious and costly issues, such as sewage backups and basement flooding emergencies. Don’t try to tackle the issue on your own – call in a local plumber to identify and fix the issue once and for all.

Remember – a little bit of prevention goes a long way. Routine maintenance and inspections can help prevent clogs and obstructions before they become a bigger headache. So, grab a plunger (or better yet, call a pro) and get to unclogging those drains!

May '23

What Are the Signs That You May Need a Drain Cleaning Service?

Clogs are the number one drain problem experienced in homes. You do not have to misuse your home’s plumbing for the home’s drains to become clogged. Drain clogs can happen as the natural consequence of your home’s drain doing what they are designed to do and in turn you may need drain cleaning service.

Clogs happen because the water that travels through your home’s drains contains debris. These can be tiny food particles from the kitchen sink or solid waste from the toilet. Some of these materials get stuck inside the drain pipes as wastewater passes through them.

Over time these small deposits can grow to become large buildups that obstruct the pipe and slow the water flow. When this happens, you may see the effects in a shower or toilet that drains slowly. It can also manifest as bad odors emanating from your drains.

Property Specialists warns that if these clogs are not dealt with promptly, they can result in even bigger issues. A sewer backup is one of the most common outcomes of neglected drain problems. Clogged drains also increase the stress on your home’s drain. They make the pipes more prone to premature failure.

But these issues can only happen if the early warning signs of the drain problem are not heeded. Most times, a clogged drain will leave signs that alert the homeowner of the problem. If these signs are missed, minor drain issues can quickly deteriorate into plumbing emergencies.

The best way to handle drain clogs is to prevent them.

How do you keep your drain pipes free of clogs?

The best way to handle drain clogs is to prevent them. That means taking steps to ensure that the debris inside wastewater never builds up to a point where it clogs your home’s drains. The way to do this is to clean the drain pipes on an annual or biannual schedule.

The second best way to keep your home’s drains free of clogs is to detect when there is a buildup in the drains and remove that debris before it becomes a problem. To do this, you must know the signs that your home’s drains are clogged and need cleaning.

What are the signs that debris is building up inside your drains, and it is time to hire a professional drain cleaning service to get rid of the materials inside your drain pipes?

Bad odors

If you have recently been dealing with bad odors from your drains, it is probably because your drain pipes are clogged. Bad odors happen when sewer gasses cannot escape from the drains (due to a clog), so they find their way back into your home.

Musty drains

A musty odor from your sink or bathtub is a sign of impending drain blockage. Moldy odors mean that mold is growing somewhere in the vicinity. If that odor is from your drains, the pipes are clogged with debris that allows mold to grow.

Gurgling sounds and air bubbles

If you see air bubbles rising out of the water or hear gurgling sounds when you flush your toilets, it is because there is a blockage inside your home’s drains. That also applies if the water in a toilet bowl moves whenever you use one of the other drains in your home.

Problems with fruit flies

Fruit flies in your kitchen – especially when you don’t have leftover food in the sink and your trash can is not overflowing – could mean there is a clog in your drain pipes. The fruit flies could be feeding on the food particles stuck inside the clogged pipe.

Clogs deep inside your drain pipes can manifest as frequently-clogged drains inside the home.

Frequent clogs

If your home has been seeing a lot of drain clogs lately or your toilet seems to overflow easily, the root of the issues might not be in those drains. Clogs deep inside your drain pipes can manifest as frequently-clogged drains inside the home.

Multiple drain clogs

If shower, sink, and toilet drains are showing signs of slowness at the same time, the problem is often not with any of the affected drains. More often than not, this problem is from a clog inside your home’s main sewer line. A professional hydro jetting service is often recommended.

Standing water

You may find standing water around your laundry machine or dishwasher. When that happens, it is normal to assume the appliance is leaking. But standing water at the base of an appliance or toilet could be due to a clog in your drain pipes.

Sewer backup

A sewer backup is the worst drain problem in a home. But sewer backups only happen when the other warning signs discussed above are ignored. A sewer backup is often an extreme outcome that happens as the final stage of a drain clog.

All the problems listed above can be solved or avoided easily. How?

By giving your home’s drains a thorough wash. You should not wait until you start seeing signs of a clogged drain before you do this. Cleaning your drains on a schedule, at least once a year, will help you avoid these problems and preserve your drains.

Mar '23

Can You Prevent Clogging of a Drain?

Clogged drains are a common problem in modern plumbing systems. Mostly due to aging pipes or a general lack of plumbing maintenance, every year, thousands of American households find themselves dealing with plumbing issues caused by obstructions inside their drain lines. Clogged drains make up a significant part of all insurance claims related to water damage.

What causes a home’s drains to become clogged?

Keyrenter Broward explains there are two significant reasons; natural causes beyond the homeowner’s control and artificial causes from how you use the home’s drains.

The natural causes of clogged drains are less crucial because they account for a considerably small portion of drain issues in the house. These natural causes include:

Normal wear and tear on aging pipes: This is a common cause of clogs in old metal or clay drain pipes. The internal diameter of the pipes often becomes narrow as a result of rust or decay. When this happens, water finds it difficult to pass through the drains, increasing the rate of buildup inside the pipes.
Tree roots intrusion into drain lines: Tree roots may find their way into drainpipes via fractures in the piping or through weakened connections. Once inside the pipes, the roots can grow until they form a ball that partially or completely blocks the drain.
Earth movements: These are small shifts in the soil beneath a home. These slight movements can dislodge or damage a pipe because the proper slope of the drain is altered, making it more predisposed to build up.

But as already stated, natural causes of drain clogs are less critical than artificial ones because they are less frequent. The majority of drain clogs result from poor maintenance and improper use of the drains. Drain systems are designed to carry very specific types of waste. If the wrong items or materials are flushed into drains, they will clog.

The majority of drain clogs result from poor maintenance and improper use of the drains.

Can you prevent drain clogs?

You can prevent the majority of drain clogs since most drain clogs are artificial. The key to keeping a home’s drain free of obstructions is to understand the everyday mistakes that cause this problem and avoid them. Below is a list of things that predispose the drains to clogs and how to avoid them.

Keep FOGS out of the drain

Fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are the number one enemy of drain pipes. Once inside the drain, these materials become congeal, sticking to the sides of pipes and trapping the debris inside wastewater until the pipes are clogged or blocked completely. Pour FOGs into a sealable container and dispose of them in the trash.

Avoid forbidden items

In addition to FOGs, food waste like starchy foods (rice or mashed potatoes), eggshells and coffee grinds should never be flushed into the drain. Starchy foods, for instance, will absorb water and swell to many times their normal size inside the drains. Eggshells and coffee grinds slow the water movement by settling at the bottom of the drainpipes.

Watch what you flush

A few items people dump into their toilets include wipes, paper towels, diapers, female hygiene products, dental floss, paint, or paint thinner. All these items increase the risk of clogs inside a drain system. It has no business inside the toilet if it is not human waste or toilet paper.

Install strainers over drain openings

As unlikely as it sounds, hair and soap scum will block the shower drain. It is not possible to keep your body from shedding hair inside the shower. Soap scum is also an unavoidable product of using soap. To keep soap scum and hair out of bathroom drains, install a mesh screen or a shower drain hair catcher over the drain opening.

Avoid chemical drain cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are quick fixes that can result in bigger issues. Chemical drain cleaners can clear your drains because they contain strong corrosives. But these corrosives can weaken the drainpipes and make them more liable to leak. To prevent drain clogs, avoid chemical drain cleaners.

Most drain issues start as minor problems that produce telltale signs.

Tackle problems early

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This adage is completely true when dealing with drain systems. Most drain issues start as minor problems that produce telltale signs. These small issues become major problems when those signs are ignored. Prompt action to solve problems will prevent most drain clogs.

Finally, even after doing all of the above, it is still possible to have clogs inside the home’s drain system. That is because modern plumbing systems are extensive and complicated. Homeowners can’t keep an eye on everything going on with their home’s drain lines. But there is a simple way to get around this problem.

Annual camera inspections of your sewer lines should be a central part of the plumbing maintenance program for you to prevent clogs in the system. These inspections are vital for picking up problems at the early stages and solving them quickly and cheaply instead of waiting until they escalate into considerable costs. Only a professional plumber should perform these inspections.

Sep '22

DIY Drain Cleaning and Why It Can Be a Bad Idea

Slow or blocked drains are common issues every homeowner experiences with their home’s plumbing from time to time. Due to how often we use them and what we use them for, toilet, bathroom, and kitchen drains are always at risk of getting blocked.

When this happens, it is normal that you will want to cut costs by trying to fix the problem yourself. Like most homeowners, says DRP Management, you will reach for a drain snake, plunger, chemical drain cleaner, vinegar, or baking soda, each time your drains show signs of trouble.

But do DIY drain cleaning solutions work? Are you really saving money when you use them? What is their long-term impact on the health of your drains? Is there a right time to use DIY drain cleaning methods, and what are their limitations? This post answers those questions.

Common DIY drain cleaning methods and why they can be a bad idea

The most common do-it-yourself methods for clearing clogs and blockages from your drains are:

Handheld drain snakes
Plungers
Baking soda, vinegar, salt, and boiling water
Chemical drain cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are easily the worst things you can pour into your drains. While they may clear your drains, they do so at a huge cost. Chemical drain cleaners have acids in them. These acids do not discriminate between the material blocking the pipe and the pipe itself.

Chemical drain cleaners not only shorten the lifespan of your pipes, but they also harm the environment. The acids in chemical drain cleaners will not only dissolve the clogs inside your drain but corrode your pipes and eventually find their way into the soil, which will leach into groundwater.

The other DIY drain cleaning methods in this list are only suitable for removing clogs close to the drain opening. If the material blocking your drainpipe is further inside the pipe, removing it with the above drain cleaning methods is often impossible.

Baking soda, plungers, salt, vinegar, and hot water are only useful when you have an emergency. Because they do not actually remove the material blocking the pipe but merely push it further down the pipe, they cannot be used as a long-term fix.

But if you do not understand these DIY drain cleaning methods and use them as your go-to solution for drain issues, you can expect the following problems.

The trouble with DIY drain cleaning

Health and environmental issues

In addition to the harm they do to your drainpipes, chemical drain cleaners are also dangerous to your health. The toxic compounds inside drain cleaners linger in the air after the cleaner is flushed into the drain. They may eventually end up inside the lungs and stomachs of humans and pets.

Furthermore, using chemical drain cleaners is almost the same as putting poison in your drinking water. These harmful substances flow from your drain into the city sewer system and finally into the water bodies that feed the natural systems where we get our drinking water.

DIY solutions ignore the root cause

When you hire a local plumber to unclog drains in your home, that plumber adopts a holistic approach, including the entire plumbing system and how you use them.

This ensures that whatever solutions they employ for the issues will have a lasting effect. Conversely, DIY drain cleaning solutions are temporary fixes that do not address your drain problem’s underlying cause.

Your drain problems never go away

DIY drain cleaning methods only worsen the issues with your drains. Unlike when you use a professional plumber, DIY drain cleaning does not highlight the things you are doing that may hurt your drains. They also don’t altogether remove the offensive materials inside the drains. The result is that those drain problems only worsen with time until they do massive damage that will cost a ton of money to fix.

You can’t do preventive maintenance with DIY drain cleaning

With DIY drain cleaning, you must wait until there is an issue with your drains before you take action. These solutions lock you into a reactive mindset where you are always one step behind the problems with your plumbing.

A professional plumber, on the other hand, can help you create a preventive maintenance program via a sewer rodding service, that will let you avoid major issues with your drains, prolong the life of your plumbing and help you save money in the long run. You should also think about having your drains and sewer lines hydro jetted every 5-6 years for a full and thorough cleaning.

Save money and time

Hiring a professional plumber to solve the issues with your plumbing can help you save time and money. A professional plumber will find and solve those issues in a fraction of the time it takes you to find them.

Furthermore, when selling your home, the fact that your plumbing is managed by a professional makes much difference. Buyers have more confidence when the systems are under the care of an expert, and they are often willing to pay you more for the peace of mind that comes with that knowledge.