Your sink is starting to block up, draining slower and slower each time.
Should you call a professional drain cleaner or jump on the phone to locate your Columbia plumber? Occasionally, it's tough to understand what to do when you're worried about your home, specifically the draining or lack thereof.
However, there are times when an emergency drain cleaning service is the best solution instead of running to a hardware store and looking for Drain-O.
Read on to discover the best times to call a drain cleaner-- some may surprise you. If you are still trying to figure out how to locate a solution that clears your drains, we can aid with that as well.
Common Causes of Drain Clogs
Drain clogs come from many different causes. Some are one-time events, while other causes may point to underlying plumbing issues. Some of the most common causes of drain clogs that require professional drain cleaning in Columbus, SC, are:
Mineral buildup: Columbia's water is 1-2 gpg, or relatively soft. However, it can still have mineral content that builds up in pipes, drains, and joints over time. As the layers of mineral deposits build up, the drain diameter gets smaller and rougher, making it more vulnerable to clogs and debris.
Tree roots: A common risk for drain lines and your home's main line is tree roots. Roots comb through the ground, searching for moisture and nutrients. If there's a small crack in your home's main drain line, the roots will dig into it and fill up the available space until nothing can pass.
Objects stuffed into the drain: Drains can't handle big solids. Toys, wipes, tampons, and even chunks of food and trash can wind up in drain lines, where they get stuck. A clog will form around them, leading to water backing up in the drain.
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG): While this is more of a problem in commercial kitchens, sink drains also develop FOG from food trash. This cakes the drain line, causing smelly clogs over time.
Hair and soap: Every sink drain will likely develop a clog from long hair and soap buildup (especially when combined). This can generally be solved by recurring maintenance or a better drain cover.
Indications of a Clogged Drainpipe:
Slow Drains
One of the most apparent signs of an obstruction is sluggish drain pipes. If you observe water remaining in your sinks, bathtubs, and showers, something may be obstructing the pipes.
With time, drains accumulate hair, soap, as well as scum. The materials accumulate and, over time, will obstruct the water flow. The obstruction prevents water from easily moving with your pipes, creating drainage problems.
The longer the water remains in your sinks and bathtubs, the more trouble it causes. The blocked drain can result in drain flies that feast on the material within the drains. While the flies aren't harmful, they lug germs as they breed in stagnant water.
Foul Scents
Sometimes, drain scents come from food particles or the garbage disposal. But if you are observing that the scents are becoming a lot more regular, you can have an accumulation of food, sewer, or cooking oils in your major pipe system.
As a general rule, food should never be dropped in your drain, that is, unless you have a garbage disposal. Avoid directly putting grease, eggshells, coffee grinds, or vegetable cuttings in your drain.
If you have already done this, you may want to consider hiring a professional to help clear these out.
Multiple Blocked Drains
Sometimes, you can smell drainpipe troubles before you see them. As the blocked products rot in your pipelines, they create unpleasant smells. If you follow your nose, it will undoubtedly lead you to the damaged drainpipe.
Obstructed drain pipes develop musty smells, similar to sewers. The odors are most prominent around drain covers. When the faucet is turned on, the scent will get worse. Regular drain cleaning will keep your pipelines tidy and eliminate any nasty odors in your house.
Unusual Noises
It's not uncommon for your pipes to make noise from time to time, but homeowners should identify the sounds to know if there is a problem.
Gurgling noises from drains, pipes, and toilets are early signs of a plumbing problem. When drains are clogged, air trapped in the pipes pushes through the plumbing fixtures, creating gurgling sounds. If you notice these noises, your drain is blocked.
Frequent Clogs
Frequent clogs in toilets and sinks are a cause for concern. Regular toilet backups, gurgling noises, and slow drainage are signs of tree roots in your drain or sewer line.
Tree roots can grow toward your pipes and create a blockage. Once the roots reach your drainpipes, they coil around and crush them. Property owners are advised to plant large trees 20 to 30 feet from their plumbing systems.
Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning Services
None of these common causes of drain problems are safe to ignore. But some are intermittent issues from everyday chaos. Other clogs, such as those from tree roots and mineral buildup, point to deeper issues that you and your preferred plumbing service need to resolve. As a homeowner, you may feel confident using a snake to remove clogs from foreign objects and hair. But for most other drain issues, call in a plumbing service to provide drain cleaning in Columbus, SC.
Some of the clearest signs it's time to call in professional plumbers are:
Recurring clogs: Clogs happen, but they shouldn't be happening frequently. This could indicate a deeper clog, an issue with the pipes, or the first hint that tree roots are in the pipes. Professionals can snake and scope the drain to get to the bottom of things.
Gurgling sounds: Gurgling indicates a deeper problem with your home's main drain line. Call in a professional before more serious issues develop.
You don't want to risk pipe damage: Strong pipe-draining chemicals can eat through pipes and seals over time. Even mechanical tools like plastic snakes can cause damage out of sight. If you're worried about drain damage, especially if you're renting a property, don't try to manage the task yourself. Call in a plumber—or ask the landlord to do so.
High water bills: Any time there is a plumbing issue, it is usually accompanied by high water bills. This can indicate cracks in the plumbing that are continuously using up water. Call in a plumber immediately.
Should You Call a Professional?
It might seem easier to take matters into your own hands, but leave drain and sewer cleaning to the professionals. DIY methods offer short-term results. Home remedies may seem to work but make the problem worse instead.
Many people don't realize the severity of their clog without professional equipment, so the blockage continues to cause structural damage to your pipeline.
Homemade mixtures or chemical cleaners strip the interior lining of your pipes, making your plumbing system weaker. Using a plumbing snake without a professional technician can tear away enamel in your sink, toilet, or bathtub.
Put your mind at ease by relying on professional drain cleaning services from your local 1-800-Plumber +Air. Qualified technicians ensure safe and effective maintenance. Professional drain cleaning fixes current problems and prevents future ones.
Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning
Hiring a professional plumber for drain cleaning in Columbus, SC, offers several advantages over handling them yourself. Some of the benefits that homeowners love most are:
Professional troubleshooting: Plumbers can investigate drain clogs and other signs of disrepair and offer a solution. They can even scope the drain line with a camera to look for roots, cracks, or clogged items.
Peace of mind: By having a professional plumber look into the problem, you have a greater chance of catching and resolving problems before they become too expensive or cause too much damage.
Better cleanliness and indoor air quality: Plumbers can remove the clog and any buildup around it. This eliminates smells, toxic or hazardous rot, and clogs that may put your family at risk. Prompt clog removal can also reduce the risk of pest infestations.
Less risk of pipe damage: Plumbers know how to best mechanically or chemically clear out clogs and debris with minimal damage to your pipes.
