Common Drain Issues (& What To Do About Them)
Sooner or later, every home goes through its fair share of drain issues. From sinks that don’t drain to toilets that flush upwards… There are endless plumbing horror stories, as well as lists of strange objects that have clogged our drains. Plumbing issues aren’t the type you can (or should) ignore, so…
Hardware stores stock “fix-all” chemical drain cleaners promising an easy DIY drain-clean – but these chemicals are short term solutions that often mask deeper issues in your home’s plumbing system. Drainage issues are often a sign that your home is in need of a professional plumber’s expertise and attention.
Instead of resorting to harmful chemicals, try to prevent clogged drains and follow our advice on what to do about the four most common drain issues.
1. Delayed Drainage
Never underestimate the severity of a slow-draining drains – they may seem to be nothing more than a slight inconvenience however they may be an indication of a bigger problem, including:
- Clogged Drains (this could be from hair, debris, soap, etc.)
- Narrowing pipes caused by grease or mineral buildup
- Improper grading of your home’s drainage system
What To Do?
As soon as you notice any of your drains slowing, call a trained drain cleaning technician from Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning to resolve your drain issues before they escalate. They will pick up on any broken or damaged pipes, and clear away grease or mineral buildup within your home’s plumbing system.
2. Sewage Stench
Sewer lines transport waste from your home to underground sewer mains. While this is usually well-known, not many people give this much thought until they encounter a foul smell. If any of your drains start smelling like sewage, they have probably developed a drainage issue in the pipes connected to a municipal sewer line.
A second, slightly less likely cause for foul-smelling drains is pollutant buildup in your drain – but without seeing the inside of your plumbing system it is difficult to know which drain issue you’re dealing with.
What To Do?
Drain issues in the municipal line are a serious problem and need to be fixed as soon as possible. You may have broken sewer pipes that need to be replaced, or you may have a sewer line clog, which can result in raw sewage backing up out of the drains. This is not only unsanitary but extremely damaging and should be dealt with as soon as possible.
This is a good time to schedule a sewer inspection to find out what is causing the bad smell. If it is simply caused by pollutant buildup, a thorough drain cleaning will remove the smell in no time.
3. Repeat Offenders
Some drains seem to get clogged more frequently than others. These are typically bathtub and shower drains, because of the amount of hair and soap that is washed down them. The combination of hair and soap creates difficult-to-remove clogs that often reappear after they’ve been cleared.
What To Do?
It can be tempting to reach for chemical drain cleaners with this issue, especially since they promise fast results. At Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning we recommend you use Bio-Clean®, which offers an effective, non-damaging, and non-toxic solution to recurring clogs.
4. Is Clogging The New Normal?
If several of your home’s drains are clogging at once, there is most likely a clog in the main drainage system. Your home’s plumbing system is like an underground tree, with the mainline forming the trunk. If there’s an issue in the trunk it will be felt in all the branches – leaving you with multiple clogs throughout your home.
What To Do?
Because this drain issue occurs deeper in the pipes than more common clogs, it requires expert attention. Plungers and drain cleaners just aren’t going to cut it – and you risk damaging your pipes by attempting multiple DIYs. A trained plumber from Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning will be able to reach deep into your home’s plumbing system and remove the clog.
Resolve You Drain Issues With Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning
Drain issues are inevitable, so it’s important to know what to do when any issue occurs. The licensed and trained plumbers at Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning are ready to help you resolve all your drain issues. From the worst smell to the most stubborn clogs – we’ve got you covered! Contact us today at 1-888-773-1524 for all your plumbing needs.