Benefits of Routine Drain Cleaning Service | Schertz, TX
Most homeowners in Schertz, TX, are concerned with home maintenance and try to stay on top of it. However, none of us can see what’s happening underground or inside walls and floors. Everything could look great from the surface, but that doesn’t mean an unexpected plumbing emergency won’t happen, seemingly out of nowhere. Most sewer lines are located approximately 2-feet below the surface. Drain cleaning services aren’t just intended to clear clogs and keep drains and pipes clean, although that is a big part of it. Plumbers can also help us identify potential problems long before they reach the emergency stage.
Sewer Camera Inspections
Sewer camera inspections are a valuable procedure to repair and maintain plumbing pipes and fixtures. They’re an integral part of drain cleaning services because your plumber can see exactly what’s happening inside pipes, even if those pipes are underneath the lawn or a concrete foundation. Small waterproof cameras mounted on flexible cables are inserted into pipes through a drain or other opening. These cables can be pushed through pipes to locate clogs.
Cameras help plumbers pinpoint clogs, but the close-up view also lets plumbers identify the composition of the clog. A camera inspection is useful even if you’re not currently aware of any problems. As the cable and camera move through pipes, operators can observe any residue buildup on pipe walls. They can also look for cracks and damaged stretches of pipe. Pipe walls weakened by corrosion and other factors may give way entirely and let water leak out. Cracks and holes also let dirt, debris, and even tree roots enter the pipe as well. In some cases, visual recordings can help insurance claims move forward smoothly.
Foul Odors
Foul odors, especially in the bathroom, kitchen, or basement, may be coming from drains. The visible portion of the drain can be sparkling clean, but the odor could originate from a problem that isn’t visible. Hard water, which is water with dissolved mineral content, has a significant impact on plumbing pipes and fixtures. Minerals build up over time and leave a scaly coating inside pipes requiring a drain cleaning service. Food scraps, soap scum, hair, and other substances can also leave residue on pipe walls. A combination of these materials may eventually restrict water flow and build up to the point that a clog forms. A partial clog can lead to slow drains, but a completely clogged pipe may lead to overflowing toilets, sinks, and drains. If the water can’t move through pipes, it has nowhere else to go except back where it came from.
The foul odors coming from drains are produced by rotting food, bacteria, and mold. Bacteria and mold can cause illness. Elderly household members and children are most at risk. Some people with allergies experience symptoms due to mold spores in the air. Mold can also aggravate symptoms of respiratory disorders. Even if no one in the home is especially vulnerable, most of us don’t want thriving bacteria or mold colonies in our homes. The microorganisms thriving within pipes can end up all over the house if a clog forms and forces water to back up into the house. Every surface and object touched by that water is also contaminated with bacteria and mold that traveled out of the drain as well. Drain cleaning services clear food scraps and residue out of pipes, so bacteria and mold have nothing to eat.
Insects
Common pests such as flies and mice are often associated with garbage, but drains can be a source of insects and other pests too. The food scraps and other debris that provide nutrients for bacteria are also an ideal food source for insects. Warm, moist drains are a breeding ground for certain types of flies. If you notice an increase in the number of flies and gnats in your home, drains could be the source of the problem. Drain cleaning services remove clogs and clear out debris and residue. This process physically removes any insects and eggs that are present and prevents future infestations by removing food sources. Regular drain cleaning services go a long way to prevent insect infestations in many homes in Schertz, TX.
Slow Drains
You can guess the location of a clog by observing how it affects drains, although you won’t be sure until it’s located during drain cleaning service. If multiple drains in different parts of the home, such as the kitchen and bathroom, are all experiencing slow draining, the clog is probably located in large pipes that carry wastewater out of the home. The clog may be more localized if only one part of the home is affected. For example, every drain in the bathroom may be affected if the clog is located in a pipe that serves all fixtures in that room. A clog in just one fixture means the clog is probably in a pipe that’s only attached to that fixture. Watch for signs such as water rising in the bathtub during showers or sinks filling up during routine tasks. If the sink fills with water while you brush your teeth, it’s probably not draining properly.
A plunger may be effective if the clog is very localized. Plungers are usually associated with toilets, but they can also be used for sinks and other drains. Clogs that affect multiple drains are probably too deep to be affected by plunging. Some people turn to chemical drain cleaners from the store, but this isn’t always a great solution. The chemicals in such products are very hard on plumbing pipes and fixtures, and drain cleaners aren’t very effective on deep clogs either. Professional drain cleaning services are much more effective because plumbers have the tools to reach clogs located far from fixtures.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio provides drain cleaning services and many other plumbing services to homes and businesses in Schertz, TX. Call to make an appointment or schedule a consultation. The professional plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio can help you create a plan to tackle any plumbing problems or determine a maintenance schedule that works for your household.
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