No Spring Cleaning Checklist Is Complete Without Drain Cleaning!
Springtime is the perfect season for cleaning. With the longer days and nicer weather, homeowners can open up the windows to let in some sunshine and a nice breeze while they tackle those long-neglected cleaning chores. There’s one area of a home that seldom gets added to the list, however: drains. The kitchen and bathrooms may even get cleaned every week, but many homeowners let their drains go years without a thorough cleaning - and they usually pay the price in clogs, nasty odors, or expensive repairs. Fortunately, this is one spring cleaning task that can (and should) be outsourced to a pro.
Why Routine Drain Cleaning Is So Important
Anyone with a clogged drain knows that it’s no fun. Whether it’s a stopped-up sink or a shower that drains too slowly, it makes for a messy and unpleasant experience. And in drains that don’t get cleaned often enough, it’s just a matter of time before a clog forms. Even before the obstruction becomes large enough to affect water flow, it can produce offensive odors as it decays inside the drain. Dirty drains are also more likely to harbor mold and mildew.
Many homeowners turn to store-bought chemical drain cleaners or other DIY methods to battle clogs and odors, but these solutions can damage the plumbing system if used improperly or too often. By hiring a professional, homeowners can be sure their drains are cleaned safely and thoroughly.
Drain Cleaning Methods Used By Professionals
Plumbers and drain cleaning specialists have a few tools and methods at their disposal for clearing clogs and removing nasty buildup from pipes. Flexible metal coils called drain snakes are often used to drill through obstructions and pull them up out of the pipe. However, drain snakes are not very effective when removing mildew or other grime from the pipe walls.
Hydro-jetting is a better method for all-around cleaning and clog removal. With hydro-jetting, the plumber sprays the inside of the pipe with a high-pressure water hose. When using hot water, this is highly effective at clearing blockages and washing nasty residue off the pipe wall - even as far down as the sewer lines.
Keeping Drains Clean Between Professional Cleaning Visits
Annual spring drain cleanings are the best way to prevent drainage issues and foul smells, but that doesn’t mean the drains should be neglected the rest of the year. There are perfectly safe and easy ways for homeowners to reduce the likelihood of clogs and keep nasty buildup at bay.
Pouring boiling water down the drains will help kill odor-producing germs and flush out oils and other gunk. But it’s even more effective to do this after pouring a generous helping of baking soda followed by vinegar into the drain and letting it sit for several minutes. The fizzy reaction will help break up minor obstructions as well as neutralize odors, so it’s a good idea to do this once a month, at least.
About B&L Plumbing
The veteran-owned B&L Plumbing has served Colorado Springs, CO with pride since 1999. Their clean, courteous professionals arrive promptly in full-stocked trucks, ready to answer any question and solve any problem. B&L provides up-front, competitive pricing, tailored options, and 24/7 emergency service with no after-hours fee. Call now for expert drain cleaning services!
