When to Schedule a Drain Cleaning | Sugar Land, TX

6/27/2020

Photo By Krakenimages.com at Shutterstock

Your plumbing is often one of the most important systems protecting the utility and value of one of your biggest investments — your home. When something goes wrong with the plumbing, not only can that lead to stressful mornings and long lines for the shower, but it can also mean a hefty repair bill and damage to other areas of your home. During storm season, Sugar Land, TX, a West Houston neighborhood, can face a lot of rainfall as hurricanes blow in from the Gulf coast. Along with those storms come downed branches, dirt, debris, and other things that can clog up your system. Here are a few things to look for that more than likely indicate it’s time to contact a professional plumber for drain cleaning.

1. Unidentified Odors

If you’re on a septic system, one of the first signs that something may be wrong with your drains is often an odor. If the smell is stronger inside your house or near the tank for your septic system. your drain lines can be the culprit, backing up waste in the lines. There could also be a major problem with the tank. A crack in your tank (tree roots and weather can be major sources of trouble) can cause odors and sewage leaks. So, at the first whiff of something off-color in or near your Sugar Land, TX home, contact one of the experts in drain cleaning at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain.

2. The Long Slow Drain

Do you take a morning shower in a rush to avoid the rising water in the tub? If you wash your hands, does the next person need to wait for the water to go down? Slow drains may not mean any major plumbing damage, but they can certainly be more than a minor inconvenience. Plus, a slow drain can turn into a completely clogged drain without much warning. If you notice water is slow to make its way out of the tub or a sink, it might be time to have professional drain cleaning done to get your plumbing back into peak condition. Here are a few of the most common causes of slow drains:

• Grease. In the kitchen, improper disposal of substances like cooking grease can cause a plug inside your pipes
• Hair. Everyone sheds hair on a slow, but continual, basis. Those occasional strands tend to build up in the shower/tub drain, eventually creating a clump that slows water. If you have pets, this might be an even more important issue.
• Soap and other residue. While moisturizing body wash and thick hair conditioners can leave you feeling great, your pipes might not agree. Soap scum and other cleansers can leave a residue on your pipes that slowly constricts flow.

3. Dirty Drainage

Yes, your drainage system is designed to handle wastewater. But, that doesn’t mean it can handle bulky debris. During storms, downed branches, piles of leaves and rivers of mud can all add up to a minor plumbing disaster. Your gutters can only push away so much water, particularly if they are filled with leaves and other fallen objects. Before the storm season gets into full swing, take a few minutes to give your outside drains a thorough look and cleaning.

If you notice any areas where your gutters have pulled away from your house or cracks, you might need the entire system repaired or replaced. When storm drain systems get overly full, it can lead to backups into your interior drain system. Schedule a gutter and drain cleaning to make sure runoff stays on the outside of your home.

Preventing Clogged Drains

While drain cleaning should be on your regular maintenance list, there are some simple and easy things you can do to help preserve your pipes. Start by installing drain catches on any open drain. A drain catch grabs any big items before they get to your pipes, helping to prevent an emergency plumbing call because your toddler dropped a toy car down the sink.

Consider installing a garbage disposal for the kitchen. While a garbage disposal is another appliance to maintain, the convenience of not having to worry about food debris after meals is a major bonus. Most food items dropped into a garbage disposal grind up into tiny particles that pass through your pipes with no problem. You’ll still need to dispose of used grease in the trash, but the odd mouthful of food or crust of bread is no problem.

Clean your drain surfaces after use. In the bathroom, hair is a constant problem for your drains. After installing drain catches, be sure to wipe off the drain after every shower or soak. If you don’t your drains might not run slowly, but the catch can get covered by a combination of hair and soap that seals up the drain almost as well as the plug.

How Drain Cleaning Works

Professional drain cleaning can use a combination of clean chemicals and mechanical solutions to move a clog and clear any residue. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, our technicians check your pipes to ensure they are in good condition, then start the process. For slow drains with no obvious blockages, plumbers might start with a quick, chemical clean. For difficult to diagnose issues, cameras might provide a closer look at the interior of the pipes. If you have a complete blockage, a plumber might need to bring in a plumbing snake to handle your drain cleaning project.

If you notice anything off about your drainage system, contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston Today. Our services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call 346-262-0129 for emergency drain cleaning service, or schedule a maintenance visit around your schedule.