There are nearly a half-million plumbers in the United States. Plumbers are the experts when it comes to repairing and maintaining pipes. They know all of the ins and outs, including how to clean out your drainage line.
For people without training in plumbing work, sewer lines may at first glance seem overwhelming tasks since sewers carry both wastewater from sinks fixtures, dishwashers, and even washing machines, but also carry sewage away from our homes. If your drains start smelling bad or making strange noises, it’s time to clean them out.
Drain Line Cleaning
Your sewer system is a maze of pipes that connect to your house. Every drain, whether it’s in the sink or shower, or a toilet, drains down into these lateral lines which then join with the main line running out of your house.
Strange noises, slow flushing drains, and smells are all symptoms that your sewer line needs assistance with. This could mean your sewer needs cleaning. There are things you can do to take care of a lot of problems, but sometimes calling a plumber is best. Drain line cleaning can be a messy job.
Clean Your Lines Often
An enzyme cleaner can help achieve this. They come in a variety of types. Enzyme cleaners are useful for cleaning out drainage lines, and some remove pet stains. Most hardware stores and plumbing supply outlets have high-quality cleaners.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions and put the cleaner in a large drain. A basement drain is the best choice but any large drain is sufficient. The cleaner may take some time to work so be patient.
Get a Snake
Using a drain snake is not difficult and they are relatively inexpensive. Snakes, a type of auger, are fed into a drain line. They twist or cut through a clog. Clogs that occur inside your home can be removed, using a snake, with little effort.
Every problem can’t be solved with a snake, but they are great for small clogs. A snake can help keep your drains clean, but be careful not to damage your lines. If you have a clog that a snake can’t get through, it’s time to call a plumber.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
A common cleaning solution used to degrease is vinegar mixed with baking soda. The chemical reaction that is caused by these two ingredients will bubble and foam. The bubbles help the baking soda remove the grease that can be causing your clog.
Grease becomes very sticky when it cools. Other debris will get trapped in grease that is in your lines. It is important to never dump grease in your drains. It can get into your sewer lines even if you don’t dump a lot down the drain. The build-up will occur over time. This cleaning trick is easy, quick, and can be done any time.
Flush Your Lines
You can clean your lines by flushing them with water if you aren’t dealing with a clog. Put a little bit of drain cleaner into the water while doing this. A toilet is an exceptional place to flush your lines as it allows a lot of water and cleaner to go down the drain together.
This is not a good idea if you have a clog. Water will back up as it is introduced to the line. Any time you choose to clean your sewer lines, it is important that you don’t have any clogs. If clogs are present, they must be addressed first.
Preventative Cleaning
It isn’t necessary to wait for a catastrophe to initiate cleaning your sewer lines. Placing baking soda into your lines every month will help scour the walls of the pipes clean and help prevent problems from occurring. Citrus-based cleaners can also be used for this. Drain line cleaning can be painless if it’s done on a regular basis using these simple tips.
Drain Cleaners Are a Great Option
Abrasive chemical cleaners should not be used very often. They can degrade your pipes. A few times a year, you can flush drain cleaners down your lines with no problem. Make sure you’re not using too much water or flushing any other drains when doing this.
It is crucial to let the chemical sit in the pipes. This will allow it to dissolve any debris and waste that could be building up. This will reduce the amount of build-up in your line which will prevent a clog.
Look for Professional Drain Cleaning
Look for a sewer cleaning plumber that offers this service, and they will have the equipment that can help. Not all plumbers have the specialized equipment to maintain the main sewer lines. Always inquire about what the process will take and how long it will be when you hire a plumber.
Major clogs aren’t easy to clean and others can indicate damage to your sewer line. A lot of stress can be avoided and money can be saved by having a professional inspect your sewer lines.
Sewer Lines and Your Home
As long as your sewer lines are working correctly, they are typically out of sight, out of mind. Most homeowners don’t think much about them. When a problem occurs, it can mean a huge expense whether attempting to clean it yourself or hiring a professional.
Cleaning the drainage line will help reduce the chances of damage to your pipes as well as clogs. However, even with your best efforts, it won’t stop all problems a sewer line may have. If you are in the Kansas City, Missouri, area, we can help you.
No one wants the issues that come with a sewer backup. Unfortunately, wastewater sticks to everything it touches and the smell is hard to get rid of. We can prevent future problems with regular drain line cleaning. For all your plumbing needs, contact us.
