While slow drainage is a telltale sign that your drain could benefit from a proper cleaning, there are many ways your drains may signal that something is wrong – and you may not even know it!
Some of the most common signs that your drains need to be cleaned include:
- Smell of sewage
- Frequent clogs
- Gurgling sounds
- Bubbles coming up
- Sewage coming up
- Multiple clogged drains
Besides cleaning your drains as needed, our plumbers recommend having your drains cleaned at least once a year. This includes your bathroom drains, kitchen drains, utility drains, storm drains, and every other drain found in your home. Even if the drain is rarely used, it can contribute to the overall reliability of your system.
What’s the Best Method for Cleaning Drains?
Clogged drains are frequently challenging but often solvable with little effort. The blockage may sometimes be more persistent, necessitating additional measures to resolve. Items such as hair, soap scum, or small bathroom products can lead to obstructions in your shower drain. In these instances, employing a drain snake may prove beneficial. For tackling especially tough clogs, here are some strategies to try, or feel free to contact us at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Norfolk for more help:
- Start by gently filling the basin with water, carefully avoiding overflow.
- In the case of a dual-section kitchen sink, block one side with a wet rag to increase pressure.
- For blocked bathroom sinks, make sure to cover the overflow hole.
- Proceed by applying a plunger to the open drain.
- Vigorously work the plunger up and down several times, remove it, and then repeat the action if necessary.
When Should I Call a Professional?
While many minor clogs can be resolved with home remedies and some elbow grease, there are specific scenarios when calling a professional plumber is imperative. You should consider professional drain cleaning services when you encounter persistent blockages that resist home remedies, as this could indicate a deeper, more complex issue within your plumbing system.
If multiple drains in your home are clogged simultaneously, this could suggest a problem with the main sewer line, requiring professional intervention. Unexplained foul odors emanating from drains or the repeated emergence of clogs in the same drain also warrant a professional's attention. Lastly, if you notice water backing up in strange places when using plumbing fixtures, it's a clear sign of a systemic problem best handled by experts.
