Even if you are all too cautious about pouring the grease into your drain by wiping off your utensils before washing them, there is still a high chance that your kitchen sink will get clogged. Though that does not or might not happen very often, the problems clogged drains pose are horrendous. If you are going through such a situation, then this article will make more sense to you.
What happens when you find out a clogged drain in your house? You scramble for some chemical for clearing out the drain, or you might call your reliable company. While you are searching for ways to solve this problem, many questions pop up in your mind. This article discusses some of the most common questions related to drain cleaning. Let us check them out!
The Common Questions About Drain Cleaning
1. Why? Why me? Why is my drain clogged after being so cautious?
First of all, it is important to understand that even the most cautious of people face this problem as drains do not clog overnight. Little bits and pieces of grease from washing cooking and eating utensils go down the drain and clog it. Grease does not dissolve in water. Rather, it turns into little chunks of grease balls that increase with time and end up getting big enough to hinder the water going down the drain.
2. How often should I clean my drain?
Mostly, homeowners get their drains cleaned on a need-basis. However, it is best to nip the problem in the bud and schedule a periodic professional cleaning. This is crucial if your building is old and has a greater chance of presenting drain problems.
Also, it is a great practice if you regularly pour drain cleaners after using the sink as this prevents the clogs from happening in the first place. It is better to use a highly recommended drain cleaner, or you can make your own.
3. What are some of the benefits of drain cleaning?
The biggest advantage of getting your drain cleaned and get it free of clogs is the ease of use. Nobody would prefer slow drainage of water when using the sink. Also, drain cleaning helps increase the life of your plumbing.
Clog drains might be smelly as they do not let sewage water pass by easily. Dirty water in your pipes might lead to an unpleasant odor around your kitchen.
4. How can I tell my drain is clogged?
It is better to know some telltale signs of a clogged drain so that this problem might be caught on earlier. Some of the warning signs that your drain is not working fine include the slow draining of the water.
You can tell there is something wrong with the drain when you notice water pooling around your drain instead of going through. Also, your drain might be making some gurgling noises when you pour water down it. Moreover, one sign of a seriously clogged drain might be a strong odor coming from the drain.
5. Can I try cleaning my drain myself with chemicals or homemade cleaners?
As much as this might seem easier to you, clogged drains are no joke. Most of the drain cleaning chemicals do not work as the clogs are bigger and most obstructing. Moreover, if your drain system is septic, using home cleaners or snakes will be futile, and you might as well end up damaging it.
Even if using a snake works, this fix is perhaps temporary, and you will again be going through the ordeal of a clogged drain.
6. When should I call a professional drain cleaning company?
You should call a professional drain cleaning company as soon as you see the warning signs mentioned above. A clogged drain is a serious health and household concern as it can sometimes lead to sewage spilling out in your kitchen.
Also, calling a professional cleaning company at the right time saves you from the onerous effort of using a blocked drain.
7. What are some of the cleaning methods that professionals use?
When you call in your professional drain cleaning company, they will choose the method best suited for cleaning your drain depending on how bad the clog is, how old your pipes are, and a few other factors.
They might use an auger, also known as the drain snake. This snake is let down the drain to roll out and push the clog outside the system. Though this method might seem very easy and you can get an auger on your own quite easily, you should let the professionals handle it. Things might go wrong, and you might end up damaging your pipes.
Another method of professional drain cleaning involves using a high-power water jet. As the name indicates, this method uses the power and high speed of water to push out the clog. Using this method is, however, not suitable for homes that have old plumbing. Nevertheless, the professionals know and can gauge what is best for taking the clog out.
The Takeaway
Plumbing is one of the crucial aspects of a good foundation for a house. Highly maintained plumbing also increases the price of the house. Moreover, the kitchen is the most important place in your home. It is where all the eating, munching, and cooking happens. The health of the whole household depends on how clean the kitchen is.
Hence, you must get your kitchen drains cleaned as soon as you notice any warning signs. This will save you from any big trouble in the near future.
