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DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. Blog

Signs It’s Time for a Professional Drain Cleaning

drain-with-water-going-down

If we could make a safe bet, we’d say that you likely do not think about the drains in your home all that much. That’s okay, not many people do! However, it is important to note that if you don’t keep your drains in proper shape, they can cause a number of problems for you down the line.

It’s important for homeowners like yourself to know when it’s time to call for professional drain cleaning services, so your drains can be as effective and healthy as possible. Read on as we uncover a couple of signs that it is, in fact, time to call us for this service.

Slow Drainage

It’s relatively unlikely for a clog to form in one of your drains without warning. The large majority of drain clogs form over time, as waste sticks to the walls of your pipes and builds inward. As the waste buildup becomes worse, water will drain more and more slowly.

If you notice just one drain with this problem, and a plunger doesn’t seem to relieve it at all (don’t use store-bought drain cleaners! More on that below…) then it’s time to call us for drain cleaning services. It’s also important for us to note that if multiple drains are slow-going, it’s a sign that there’s a blockage in the sewer line, and you should call us as quickly as possible. Waiting to address this problem will only leave you with a worse situation.

Foul Smells

This is a pretty common sign that you need professional drain cleaning services, particularly when it comes to your kitchen drain. As waste and food stick to the inside of the drain pipes, enough of it can build up to the point that it begins giving off a pretty foul smell. If you notice bad odors coming out of any of the drains in your home, then it’s time to give us a call.

Like we mentioned above, if it’s happening with multiple drains, it’s likely a sign of something going on with your sewer line, and it should be addressed right away.

“Can’t I Just Use Store-Bought Drain Cleaner?”

If you just have one or two drains that are backed up or a little smelly, then it can be really tempting to reach for that bottle of store-bought drain cleaner you have under the sink, right? Have you ever noticed though, that you have to keep using it every 3-6 months? This is because they’re ineffective. They’re good for dissolving very specific types of clogs, such as hair.

But they won’t do much if tree roots have infiltrated your sewer line and caused a massive backup, food waste is lodged in your kitchen sink drain, or hard water has created mineral buildup in your drains.

Additionally, store-bought drain cleaning “solutions” are caustic. This means they eat away at the lining of your plumbing pipes, eventually leading to leaks and potentially even burst pipes. Truly the best thing you can do for your plumbing system when you need drain cleaning is to call the pros!

DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. is your trusted resource for quality plumbing services and more. Contact us today!

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