Keeping your drains clean and healthy is essential for a working plumbing system in your Louisville, KY, home. Your drains provide a way for waste to exit, helping you maintain a clean and sanitary living environment. If your drain lines become blocked or otherwise problematic, they need a good cleaning. In fact, preventive cleaning is the best way to avoid problems altogether and keep your drainage system flowing. This article will explain what professional drain cleaning entails and its benefits so you can better understand why this process is not a good candidate for a DIY project.
What Is Professional Drain Cleaning?
Professional drain cleaning is a plumbing service where our plumbers remove buildup from your drain pipes. We perform drain cleaning as a preventive service, which should be scheduled once a year for the best results. We also offer drain cleaning services in response to problems such as clogs, slow-moving drains, and backups.
The first step in drain cleaning is a thorough inspection to identify potential problems such as leaks, blockages, corrosion, or pipe damage. We use specialized tools, including drain cameras, to get a clear view inside the pipes and detect hidden issues that might not be visible from the surface.
A drain inspection camera is a small, waterproof device attached to a flexible cable. Our plumber inserts this cable into the drain through an access point, such as a cleanout, or directly into the affected pipe through the drain. As the camera moves through your pipes, it sends real-time video footage to a monitor, allowing our plumber to see inside your pipes without cutting holes in your walls or floors. The cable is designed to navigate bends and turns, providing a full inspection of the drain line’s interior. This technology helps pinpoint the best course of action for cleaning or repairs.
If damage to the drains is found, repairs are necessary before cleaning. This prevents further damage to plumbing and leaks during the cleaning process.
If large, stubborn obstructions are found, our plumber may use a drain snake or auger to dislodge them. These specialty tools require drain services professionals to handle them safely and are great for dealing with especially tricky clogs, like tree root intrusion in sewer lines. While you can rent some drain augers from stores, incorrect usage could damage pipes, push clogs deeper, and even cause skin punctures and lacerations.
Finally, our plumber may use hydro jetting, a high-pressure water cleaning method, to clear out buildup and debris from your drains. The force of the water effectively scours the pipe walls, flushing the loosened material into the municipal sewer system or your septic tank, leaving the drains clean and free-flowing.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Drain Cleaning
Professional drain cleaning offers several key benefits for the health of your system and saves you money by addressing minor issues before they become big problems.
Removes and Prevents Clogs
Food, hair, and other debris find their way into your drains, even when you use preventive measures such as drain screens. Some of these substances stick to the sides of your plumbing, especially in elbows and bends. Over time, the buildup grows as more material joins in the mass. Eventually, you’ll have a complete obstruction that stops waste from flowing through the drains. With routine drain cleaning, we flush away buildup to prevent the blockage from occurring.
Improves Drainage Speeds
Over time, buildup in your drains can slow the flow of wastewater, leading to standing water in a sink or shower. Blockages can also cause toilets to back up, creating the hassle of a messy and unpleasant cleanup. As debris, grease, and soap scum accumulate, they narrow the passageway, making it harder for wastewater to drain properly. Professional drain cleaning clears these obstructions, restoring wastewater flow.
Eliminates Foul Odors
Debris trapped in the drains can produce unpleasant odors that eventually escape and spread throughout your home. As organic matter, grease, and other waste break down, they release foul smells that linger in your living spaces. Professional drain cleaning removes the buildup at the source, eliminating odors and preventing new ones from developing.
Flushes Away Mold and Contaminants
Dark, damp drains provide the perfect environment for bacteria, mold, and other harmful contaminants to thrive. Over time, organic matter and debris create a breeding ground for mold spores and pathogens, contributing to unpleasant odors and potential health risks. The powerful force of hydro-jetting clears away the buildup that promotes their growth, effectively flushing out contaminants to leave your drains cleaner and healthier.
Addresses Unusual Sounds
Unusual sounds from your drains and pipes often signal a narrowed passage or obstruction. For example, gurgling noises are usually caused by trapped air or waste struggling to move through blocked pipes. By removing buildup and clearing the drains, we restore an unrestricted path for wastewater, eliminating these disruptive noises and ensuring smoother, quieter drainage.
Extends the Life of Your Plumbing
When cleaned regularly and properly maintained, drain pipes can last for decades. However, when neglected and allowed to accumulate buildup, they become more susceptible to damage over time. For instance, buildup in your drain lines can lead to erosion, causing vulnerable spots in your pipes. Over time, these vulnerabilities can develop into leaks, creating a mess in your home. Hidden leaks behind walls are particularly problematic because they may go undetected without the regular inspections that are part of drain cleaning services.
Avoid Backups and Floods
If drains become blocked, water and waste have no path to exit your home. The waste backs up in your fixture and may overflow, causing a flood in your house. Floods are extremely costly in some situations and may require extensive repairs and remodeling. Floods due to clogged drains can affect your flooring, walls, ceilings, and other nearby belongings.
Hazards of DIY Drain Cleaning
If you attempt to clean the drains in your home by yourself, you risk causing further damage.
If your drain is clogged, don’t use chemical drain cleaners. These cleaning agents have harsh chemicals that can harm your pipes. The chemicals eat away at the inner lining and may eventually cause your plumbing to fail. These chemicals are also harmful if they come in contact with your skin or eyes.
Additionally, don’t ever stick a foreign object down the drain. You may feel tempted to stick a screwdriver, wire hanger, or other implement in the drain to try and dislodge a clog. These objects can puncture a pipe or fitting and cause a leak that requires professional repairs. You might also get the object stuck, creating an even bigger problem than you started with. Even plumbing tools designed for use in drains are a no-go for DIY enthusiasts. Drain snakes and augers are specialized tools that require knowledge and training to use without causing damage to your drainage system.
Contact Your Local Drain Cleaning Pros
At Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, we have been serving the residents of Louisville, KY and the surrounding areas since 1940. We are professional plumbers who offer drain cleaning services. You can also count on us for all your other plumbing needs, including leak detection. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of your experienced team members.
