Many homeowners enter spring with a long to-do list containing maintenance and cleaning tasks. If you’re one of them, make sure scheduling a drain cleaning appointment is on your list. In Scottsdale, AZ, hard water is a common issue that contributes to mineral buildup in drains. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent this buildup and keep your plumbing running smoothly!
Having a professional plumber clear out your drains offers numerous benefits that help you improve your home’s functionality, efficiency, and overall sanitary conditions.
1. Prevents Clogs
Drains accumulate a variety of different materials, including hair, grease, chunks of food, shampoo, conditioner, and dishwashing soap. They may not seem like much individually, but when they combine, get tangled into each other, and attach to the interior walls of your drains, they can result in significant clogs. The larger these clogs get, the more problems they’ll lead to, such as slow-draining water.
Drain cleaning clears out existing clogs and can prevent them from recurring, often using a method called hydro jetting. This involves high-powered water that blasts away debris and grime from the pipe’s walls. Once you have the drain cleaning done, there are several steps you can take to prevent clogs from happening again, such as not putting food particles or coffee grounds down the drain. We also recommend you schedule professional drain cleaning at least once a year.
2. Eliminates Bad Odors
Foul odors are another common issue that drain cleaning can fix and prevent. All the debris that builds up in your drains, especially food and grease, can decompose over time, causing foul odors. These smells are often due to bacteria feeding on organic matter trapped in your pipes. If you notice bad odors emanating from any one of your drains, it’s a sign you may have a serious clog that needs to be removed.
Even if you don’t yet have a clog, drain cleaning can prevent one from happening and the corresponding bad odors that often accompany it. Drain cleaning can help you enjoy all the fresh, clean, and floral scents that come with spring rather than unpleasant odors from your drains.
3. Extends the Lifespan of Your Plumbing
A plumbing system can last decades, but exactly how long depends on the materials it’s made of, how well it’s maintained during its lifespan, and the quality of the original pipe installation. Depending on the size and material, a plumbing system replacement can cost several thousand dollars. This makes it important to do whatever you can to extend the system’s lifespan.
Regular drain cleaning is one of the best ways to do that. Clogs and other debris that adhere to the interior walls increase internal pressure and can contribute to corrosion over time, potentially leading to cracks or leaks. Eliminating and preventing these obstructions and issues helps maintain optimal water flow and prevents unnecessary strain on your pipes that could cause serious problems.
4. Reduces the Risk of Plumbing Emergencies
Drain cleaning is crucial for reducing the risk of plumbing emergencies, such as a burst pipe. Cracks and leaks resulting from built-up debris could quickly turn into a full-blown plumbing emergency that will likely happen at the worst possible time, such as if you’re ready to go on vacation, in the middle of the night, or while you’re at work. These plumbing emergencies aren’t just frustrating and stressful but can be incredibly costly. This can especially be the case if no one is home or monitoring it via security cameras to notice the damage as soon as it happens.
Getting a drain cleaning helps prevent these emergencies while also allowing our plumbers to inspect your plumbing system. We can look for issues, such as leaks that have gone undetected, and inform you of them so you can take further action to repair or replace the piping and prevent emergencies. If we spot a leak or other damage, we recommend addressing the situation as soon as possible to decrease the chances of the problem worsening.
5. Protects Your Home From Water Damage
A burst pipe is typically the worst-case scenario that can happen from a clog in the plumbing system. It’s a nightmare for homeowners who have to worry about hiring a professional to clear out the water. The homeowner will have to try to repair or replace items that got damaged by the water. That will also require having one of our plumbers fix the system.
However, another issue arises when water damage happens and it goes completely unnoticed. You can’t miss a burst pipe, considering water is everywhere, but it can be very easy to overlook a slight leak. For example, it might be under your kitchen sink. Regularly examining the piping you can see, such as under the sinks, is a way to stay proactive between drain cleanings and plumbing inspections. Look for any signs that there might be a leak, such as unexplainable damp spots.
This stagnant water could lead to many other issues, but the biggest concern is mold. Mold can typically grow within 24 hours, making it a fast-spreading and expensive problem that could severely impact your home and health. Scheduling a seemingly simple drain cleaning is just one way to prevent water damage in your home and the corresponding potential mold growth.
6. Prepares Your Home for Busy Hosting Season
Many people love hosting guests at their homes once the weather warms up in spring. Getting a drain cleaning at the start of the season helps prepare your home for having guests over. They’ll be able to use the sinks and showers without encountering any problems, such as low water pressure. It will also give you a chance to make any drain replacements or repairs if they’re necessary, so it’s less you have to worry about as the season progresses.
7. Prevents Bug Infestations
Many homeowners don’t realize that drain cleaning is also an effective way to reduce the risk of bug infestations in their homes. Many bugs reappear in spring after a long, cold winter, and they’re on the move to look for food and breeding grounds. Drains are often a prime location.
Pests like cockroaches, ants, and flies are only a few of the insects that are attracted to the organic matter and stagnant water that accumulates in your dirty drains. The longer the issue goes unchecked, the higher the chances are that insects will be drawn to it.
The insects could easily make their way through the drains and into your home. This then creates a more serious issue that may result in you having to contact a pest control expert to remedy the situation. Drain cleaning clears out the temptation and prevents hordes of bugs from entering your drain pipes and coming up through your sinks and showers. Another important task you can do daily is to ensure you’re constantly cleaning out your drain catchers of food and other particles that insects could be drawn to.
Contact Us Today
Drain cleanings are one of the most important tasks to add to your spring maintenance to-do list. AC by J in Scottsdale, AZ offers drain cleaning and other plumbing services, including drain replacement, leak detection, and plumbing repairs. Contact our plumbing services team today to make an appointment or schedule one online through our website.
