Drain problems can easily bring down the whole house and force you and your family to evacuate.
Yes, you read that right. Drain clogs and wastewater backups can be merciless. If left unattended, they have the power to pose a severe hazard to your health or, at the very least, lead to property damage.
As such, you should ensure that drain cleaning for your plumbing is given top priority and is a regular part of home maintenance. Do not wait until it is too late to call a drain cleaning services provider.
Is this the first time hiring a cleaning professional and wondering what can I expect from a drain cleaning service? Let’s find out.
What Happens During Professional Drain Cleaning
Many people assume that professional drain cleaning involves pouring loads of chemicals down the drain. But this couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Although many online tutorials teach you how to clean your drain using chemicals (both store-bought and homemade), professionals are aware that using chemicals can cause severe damage to your plumbing.
The professionals aim to keep your pipes in the best condition possible. After all, what’s the point of giving the cleaning services if it leaves you with drains worse off than before?
Here is what to expect from the service:
Drain Assessment
First, the plumber will assess the condition of your pipes to know exactly what they are dealing with. This might involve a video inspection of the drain.
They use a small camera fixed on a flexible cable, then run it down the drain to identify clogs and their exact location. The camera also shows the size of the blockage and the materials that comprise it.
General minor drain clogs are formed from organic debris that goes down the drain from your home – food scraps, dead skin cells, human hair, pet hair, soap scum, etc.
These organic debris merge to cause a blockage along your pipes. The naturally-occurring minerals in the hard water used in most homes are especially a significant catalyst to drain clogs. They can make the clogs worse if no regular cleaning is done.
Drain Cleaning
Depending on the results of the inspection, the technicians will then determine the best cleaning method. If the clogs are generally small and manageable, snaking the drain or hydro jetting usually does the trick.
Snaking is usually done by running a drain snake down the drain to see any clogs along the way. A drain snake is a long, thin wire that can be either hand-cranked or motor-operated. If your drain already has minor clogs, the snake should be able to clear most of it.
If that does not work, then the technician will pair it with hydro jetting. The technician uses a special hose, runs it down the drain, and then power pumps hot water through the pipe. The temperature and the pressure of the water are strong enough to break and dissolve any stubborn debris and blockages.
If your pipes are already damaged by clogs or external invasives like tree roots, the plumber will carry out the repairs or recommend professional pipe repair to restore pipe integrity.
Conclusion
Healthy drains make a home safe, comfortable, and efficient. It is therefore vital to ensure that your drains are well maintained and in good condition always.
If you notice or suspect that your sinks or bathtub has water backing up, it is crucial to call drain contractors immediately.
Although a drain clog may seem like a minor issue, it could completely halt your home’s plumbing system. So do not wait until you are in a crisis to get the help that you need.