How Do I Know If I Need Professional Drain Cleaning Services?
Do you need professional drain cleaning? Dirty, sluggish drains can cause major inconvenience to your daily routine. You might find yourself standing in ankle-deep water during a shower or noticing foul smells coming from the sink. Professional drain cleaning is a great way to avoid these problems. But how do you know when to schedule a cleaning? Fortunately, there are several signs you can watch for to tell when your drains need professional attention.
Your Drains Are Constantly Slow
When drains in sinks, showers or tubs drain slowly, this is a clear sign of a partial blockage. It could be a buildup from hair, food, soap scum, grease or a combination of these materials. If only one drain has a clog, this means you have a localized blockage, which is typically easier to resolve. Multiple drains clogging and draining slowly at the same time indicates a bigger issue. Either way, drain cleaning will remove the accumulation so water can drain fast.
Unpleasant Odors Are Coming from Your Drains
As food, grease and bacteria build up in drains, the accumulation can give off foul odors resembling rotten eggs or sewage. These smells are not only annoying but also point to something rotting inside the pipes. Even if you use air fresheners, the odor will keep coming back until you have the drains professionally cleaned. During the cleaning process, we’ll use special tools to clean out any gunk that gives off the bad smells.
You Hear Gurgling or Bubbling Sounds
When pipes have trapped air in them, you’ll hear a gurgling or bubbling sound through the connected drains. The noises might seem harmless, but in reality, they signify some type of blockage forming like cooking oil in the plumbing. Getting the drains cleaned will prevent a full clog and backups.
You Have Recurring Clogs
It’s very normal for drains to clog every once in a while, especially in kitchen sinks and showers. Using a plunger or drain snake will often resolve the issue. However, if a clog keeps coming back, there’s a deeper problem you need to fix. You don’t want to have to keep using a plunger or drain snake. This is not only inconvenient but also doesn’t fix the root problem. With professional drain cleaning, we can clear out the clog completely so it doesn’t keep coming back.
There’s Standing Water Around Your Drains
When drains or pipes develop blockages, water will pool in the bottom of the sink or shower. This happens because the water has nowhere to go, so it collects around the drain. In the kitchen, this can cause bacteria buildup and unpleasant smells. In the shower, it can lead to mold growth and slippery surfaces. Plus, standing water attracts pests. A plumber can clear away any clogs to stop the water from pooling.
Water Backs Up Into Other Fixtures
When you use a toilet, sink, washing machine, dishwasher or shower, water shouldn’t back up into any other fixtures. If you flush the toilet and water comes up through the drain in the bathtub, there’s probably a blockage in the main drain line. You might be able to use a plunger to fix the problem temporarily. However, only a qualified plumber can properly clear the blockage and assess any underlying issues.
Your Toilet Overflows Without Reason
If you put too much toilet paper in the toilet, this can cause it to overflow. Simply plunging the drain should remove the stuck paper and keep the toilet from overflowing. However, if it overflows for no good reason, you’ll need to have a plumber clean the drain using professional methods. This is crucial to preventing messy, smelly overflows in the future.
You Notice Fruit Flies or Drain Flies
If you see tiny flies buzzing around the sink, the drain is most likely dirty. Fruit flies and drain flies are both attracted to the gunk that builds up inside pipes. They love decaying food and organic matter. The only way to get rid of them is to get the grime removed, which requires professional drain cleaning.
You’ve Tried DIY Methods Without Success
There are a lot of individuals who attempt to unclog drains using plungers, store-bought chemicals or even homemade methods. Although these techniques are effective for minor obstructions, they can’t always remove more substantial jams. Plus, if you’re not careful, they can damage your pipes. This is why professional drain cleaning is so valuable. We’ll safely remove buildup inside the drains without harming the rest of the plumbing.
Why Professional Drain Cleaning Is Worth It
Professional drain cleaning is worth the investment for several reasons. For starters, it’s a great way for plumbers to detect issues like blockages or corrosion early. The quicker you get these problems fixed, the more money you’ll save on expensive repairs and the more reliable your plumbing will be. Regular cleaning is also important because it reduces the risk of backups and flooding. Here at Benjamin Franklin, we even offer drain cleaning methods that can clear away tree roots in pipes. Our high-tech equipment, like hydro jetting, will thoroughly clean the pipes so water and waste flow efficiently year-round. You’ll enjoy long-term results that keep your home safe and clog-free. And remember, when you hire us, if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.