What Do Professional Drain Cleaning Services Include?
Have you taken a close look at your drains lately? Probably not and that’s okay. You normally don’t notice your drains until you realize water is backing up in your sink, shower, bathtub, or toilets. Unfortunately, by the time you start paying attention to your drains, the damage is already done, and you have to spend time and money on hiring a plumber to help. A better option is to schedule professional drain cleaning services at least once a year, which will inspect your plumbing and remove any potential clogs before they become a problem.
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Which Types of Drains Can Be Professionally Cleaned?
Professional plumbing services can help maintain the drains inside your home, including sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets, as well as your sewer drains and any floor drains located in laundry rooms or garages.
What Are The Parts of a Drain?
Many people don’t realize that the “drain” is not just the part you can see at the bottom of your sink or shower. A “drain” is actually composed of several interconnected parts, all of which need proper maintenance to work correctly. Parts of the drain include:
- Strainer: The drain’s strainer is one of the only pieces of the drain you can see without opening up cabinets and going under your sink. In sinks, the strainer sits in the drain opening to keep hair and large pieces of food from going down, and is normally secured by a rim called the strainer flange. In a shower, the strainer is designed to be flush with the shower floor.
- Tailpiece: This is a short, completely vertical pipe that guides wastewater down from the drain strainer to the P-trap.
- P-Trap: This pipe is U-shaped, allowing it to prevent sewer gases from entering your home.
- Drainpipe: Wastewater flows through the P-trap to the drain pipe, which is what carries it to the main drain line for disposal.
What Does a Professional Drain Cleaning Include?
Professional plumbers or drain cleaning specialists utilize a range of tools for comprehensive drain cleaning services. A typical drain cleaning includes:
- Visual Inspection: Your plumber will conduct a thorough assessment of your pipes and drains to identify any potential clog issues and determine if any plumbing repairs are necessary.
- Cleaning: Your drain specialist will fully clean out your pipes and drains to help remove build-up that could potentially clog the system.
- Repair: If your plumber notices any issues in your plumbing that may require repair, such as rusted or cracked pipes, they can make the necessary repairs during the cleaning service or help you schedule an additional appointment for larger jobs.
- Prevention & Maintenance: After thoroughly inspecting and cleaning your drains, your plumber will provide you with tips and advice on how to prevent clogs from forming in the future, as well as what you should avoid putting down a drain to maintain excellent plumbing conditions.
There are a few different types of drain cleaning methods a plumber may use, including:
- Chemical Options: Depending on the amount of debris your plumber finds in your drain and pipes, they may choose to use chemical enzymes that break it down, helping to prevent clogs from forming.
- Drain Snake & Augers: As the name implies, a drain snake is a long, flexible cable that can follow the bends of drains and pipes to remove clogs.
- Hydro-Jetting: High-pressure water can be used to remove clogs and debris from pipes quickly.
Does Drain Cleaning Include Camera Inspections?
Yes, many professional drain cleaners use plumbing or sewer cameras to inspect your drains and plumbing visually.
These cameras are waterproof and very small, allowing them to fit into tight spaces within plumbing systems. The camera is attached to the end of a flexible pole with LED lights, allowing it to travel down the drain and through its pipes. The camera enables plumbers to assess the current state of your plumbing through a live video feed.
Using a camera during drain cleaning services offers several benefits, including:
- Accurate, real-time inspection of your drain and plumbing.
- An easy way to pinpoint clogs or pipe issues, such as damage or tree roots.
- An excellent option for preventative maintenance, as it can help you spot potential plumbing issues before they become significant problems.
- Having all the necessary information allows your plumber to perform repairs without the need for unnecessary and expensive excavation or additional labor.
- Help with recovering any small items that have gone down the drain, such as earrings and rings.
- Verifies there’s no more outstanding debris after a drain cleaning.
What Are the Warning Signs That Your Drains Need Cleaning?
There are several warning signs that your drains may need cleaning, which you should familiarize yourself with so you can keep an eye out for them. These include:
- Drains that frequently become clogged
- Increases in your water bill
- Insects like fruit flies hanging around your drain
- Mold around your drain or plumbing
- Odd, unpleasant smells
- Slow draining or standing water
- Stains around your drain
- Strange gurgling noises are coming from your drain
- The toilet is not flushing correctly
- Water is backing up out of the drain
- Water levels in the toilet bowl are too low
What Should You Expect During a Drain Cleaning Appointment?
When you schedule your annual drain cleaning services, you can expect your plumber to provide an initial assessment of your drains and associated plumbing, review their findings and cleaning or repair suggestions, and perform the cleaning process.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect during your appointment:
- Your plumber or drain specialist will arrive on time for your appointment, wearing a uniform or displaying identification that confirms they are with your scheduled plumbing service.
- The plumber will first assess your drains and pipes using a camera or other visualization methods, and will ask you about any issues you’ve been experiencing.
- Once their assessment is complete, your plumber will sit down with you to review their findings, discuss their suggested services, and provide an estimate of the associated costs.
- After agreeing to specific services or repairs, your plumber will get to work by cleaning your drains using hydro-jetting, a drain snake, or a chemical cleaner.
- If your drains and pipes require any repairs, your plumber can make them on the same day. (If the repairs are too extensive, they will help you schedule an appointment for them.)
- Once drain cleaning is complete, your plumber will perform a post-cleaning inspection to ensure everything is in order.
- Your plumber will provide suggestions on how to maintain your drains in optimal condition between cleanings.
- Before leaving, your plumber will ensure their area is clean with no evidence showing they had been there.
Key Takeaways on Drain Cleaning Services
- Scheduling professional drain cleaning services at least once a year allows a plumber to find any potential emergency plumbing repairs before they become a big problem.
- There are more parts to a drain than just what you can see at the bottom of your sink or shower.
- Plumbers use a variety of tools and techniques during drain cleaning.
- Many professional drain cleaners utilize small, waterproof cameras to inspect drains and plumbing systems in real-time, providing a visual inspection.
- Several visual, auditory, and olfactory warning signs indicate your drains need cleaning.
Scheduling a professional drain cleaning at least once a year is one of the best ways to keep your drains and plumbing running smoothly. If you need to find a plumber or drain specialist in your area, American Home Quotes is here to help. Easily access trusted and fully licensed plumbing professionals in your area through our quote comparison platform, with no cost to you.
Make finding a plumbing professional easy—contact American Home Quotes at 1-877-792-5461 today!