Have you ever been washing the dishes, and the sink won’t drain? Or maybe you’ve clogged a toilet and tried to clear it quickly before causing an embarrassing scene? Drain backups are no laughing matter, which is why we, as your expert plumbers, are here to share with you the key aspects of drain cleaning that everybody should know.
What Causes Drain Backups?
Did you know that the pipes in your home are designed for water and tiny particles only? Unfortunately, a lot more often ends up going down those pipes, which can lead to drain backups.
The most common reasons behind those clogs can be the natural occurrence of mineral buildup and rust, as well as the accumulation of fat, grease, food scraps, oil, hair, soap, and scum. When these go down the drain, they stick to the pipes or each other, creating a ball of slime that water cannot pass through. Once it has grown big enough, it can end up blocking the pipe passage completely, thus causing a backup.
Signs You Have Drain Backups
Even with one’s best efforts, drain backups can happen. However, before you freak out and call in the plumbers, it is vital to ensure you actually have a problem. Here are five common signs behind drain backups:
1. Foul Odors
If you have a decent smeller, gross odors coming from your drain systems are an easy way to tell that you have a drain backup. The smell itself can range from mildly off-putting to gag-worthy, with hints of food or sewage.
2. Unusual Noises
Gurgling and popping noises coming from your drain system occur when a pocket of air is stuck in the system due to a clog. If they are consistently occurring, it is a sign of a severe issue.
3. Slow Draining
Water slowly making its way down the drain is another easy sign of a clog. The clog is partially blocking the flow of water, forcing it to squeeze through a small gap.
4. Water Backup
If water isn’t draining at all or it is backing up into an area from another source, that indicates there is a clog somewhere in the system that is forcing the water to re-route.
5. Lush/Wet Yard Areas
Lush grass or overtly wet areas of your property, especially around your drain field or over pipes systems, indicates that the water isn’t making it to its final destination.
Methods of DIY Drain Cleaning
If you DIY tasks around your home, you may have tried cleaning your drains with snakes and store-bought drain cleaners. Unfortunately, those are not the answer! Drain snakes can be dangerous for your plumbing, and store-bought chemicals can cause pipe erosion that leads to leaks. So, what should you do instead?
1. Pour Boiling Water
Boiling water can help break down clogs and flush them away as it dissolves the sticky portions holding them together. To use boiling water, simply heat up about 12 cups of water and carefully pour it down the clogged drain. You may have to do this a few times; do so slowly. It may be beneficial to add some dish soap to the mixture as well.
2. Use a Plunger Gently
Before we suggest this, we want to note that there are different types of plungers. There are ones for sinks, like your bathroom sink and kitchen sink, and there are ones for toilets. So please do not use one plunger for everything!
To use a plunger on a clog in a sink:
- Place the plunger over the drain
- Add a little water to the sink
- Push down the plunger
- Let the plunger rise up
- Repeat
To use a plunger on a clog in the toilet:
- Place the plunger in the toilet
- Let it fill the bell with as much water as it can hold
- Push down toward the toilet drain
- Repeat
3. Use a Baking Soda & Vinegar Solution
A last option is to use a baking soda and vinegar solution as a natural drain cleaner. It is far safer for your draining system and can help to break down tough clogs. The solution is made with 1 cup baking soda, a cup of water, and half a cup of vinegar. To do this, follow these steps:
- Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain
- Pour down the baking soda and vinegar mixture
- Cover the drain with a plug
- Wait 5-10 minutes
- Pour another pot of boiling water down the drain
- Wait a few hours
- Repeat if necessary
If none of those three options work, your best bet is to call in professional plumbers before you end up causing damage to your drain system.
The Importance of Regular Drain Cleaning
While a backed-up sink may not seem like a major issue at first, consistent backups in your system will eventually cause extensive damage. Regular drain backups cause internal pressure in the system, which can lead to leaks and even burst pipes. When this occurs, you are looking at a costly repair to fix your plumbing system as well as the potential damage costs if your home were to face water or sewage flooding. By performing regular drain cleaning, you can prevent these problems before they happen!
Preventative Measures Plumbers Recommend
1. Insert Drain Catchers
One of the easiest ways to prevent drain backups is to insert drain catchers in every drain location. These catchers prevent large particles, debris, and food scraps from entering the drain.
2. Avoid Letting Food & Grease Go Down
Even if you have a garbage disposal, preventing food, especially grease, from going down the drain will prevent excess buildup. We suggest scraping as much of it as possible into the trash before washing dishes.
3. Perform Natural Cleaning
Regularly pour boiling water and the baking soda and vinegar solution we described above down your drain systems to preemptively clear small buildups.
4. Get Regular Drain Cleaning Services
Despite our best efforts, sticky particles will get past us. Therefore, to prevent issues from building up, regular drain cleaning services will clear your systems out regularly and help identify any potential problems before they become expensive problems.
Professional Drain Cleaning Services
If you are in the Tri-Cities, Washington, area and are looking for a drain cleaning service, we are the plumbers for you. Whether you are facing drain backups or you simply want to perform preventative drain cleaning, we can help! Contact Generations Trenchless and Plumbing today for professional drain cleaning services.
