Signs That You Need Plumbing Repairs | Irving, TX
It is pretty much a universal truth among homeowners that no one wants to call in a tradesman to help with repairs or maintenance. Even if you have a good relationship with your plumber in the Irving, TX area, you don’t want to pay for plumbing repair out of the blue.
This is why you may want to look at the various maintenance tasks that your local plumber can complete for you. While you will still need to pay for yearly plumbing maintenance, it will cost much less than plumbing repairs that happen in the dead of the night. It is also a lot more convenient since you won’t have to pay extra for emergencies and can actually fit your plumber’s visit into your schedule without disrupting your day. One of the tasks you may want to add to your maintenance schedule is drain cleaning.
What is Drain Cleaning?
When many people think of drain cleaning, they think of a bottle of chemical drain cleaners that they can dump down the sink. There are two reasons why you don’t want to depend on this route. One, it can actually damage your pipes, and two, it doesn’t work. Nine times out of ten you will end up needing plumbing repair in the Irving, TX area even if you use a chemical drain cleaner that you bought from the hardware store.
The problem with drain cleaners it that most are lye-based, and over time this chemical will cause issues with your pipes. Using them a few times is not likely to cause damage, and washing out your pipes thoroughly with running warm water after their use is helpful. However, continual use of these products can start to corrode pipes. It can also be harmful to the skin of the person applying it.
The other main issue with chemical drain cleaners is that they don’t work the way you think. The main point of them is to ensure water can flow through the pipe. They don’t actually clean out the buildup on the sides of pipes. Thus, they aren’t really cleaning the pipe and long term you will still end up with a clog.
Professional Drain Cleaning
Instead of using drain cleaners, it is a much better idea to consult with your plumber and have your pipes routinely cleaned. Most plumbers capable of plumbing repair also offer a variety of plumbing technology that can keep pipes clean. It is much cheaper to clean your pipes then to deal with a clogged pipe and the aftereffects of a major clog that may include water damage to your home. Some plumbers use large drain snakes while others may use hydro-jetting or other trenchless technologies.
Benefits of Regular Drain Cleaning by a Professional
Outside of saving you money in plumbing repair down the road, there are many benefits of regular drain cleaning. Here are just a few of the many reasons to consider adding it to your home maintenance schedule if it isn’t already there.
· The Cure for Slow Drains
Slow drains usually indicate that there is a clog or a clog slowly starting to build in your pipes. No one likes to take a shower and have the water raise around their feet or have to wait for the water to drain out of the sink before rinsing more dishes. Cleaning your drains will clear out drains and improve their overall draining speed. Not only is this more convenient, but it also will eliminate mildew and mold growth in your pipes and sinks.
· Reduce or Eliminate Clogs and Blockages in Your Home
No one wants to deal with a clogged toilet or sewer line. The idea of sewer backing up in your basement or a shower that won’t drain is enough to make most people a bit nauseous. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about these issues if you have your drains regularly cleaned. Drain blockages and clogs are usually caused by faulty pipes or a buildup of sediment inside of pipes. While cleaning your pipes won’t prevent clogs from faulty pipes, it will remove all sediment. As a bonus, your plumber may be able to troubleshoot troublesome pipes during your cleaning and do simple plumbing repair tasks to fix them at a much lower cost than waiting for an emergency.
· Get Rid of Foul Odors
If you have ever had a clogged drain you may recognize the smell of sewer in your basement or lower floor drains. These foul odors can get old very quick, and most are easily remedied if the issue is dirty pipes. If you start smelling a sewer like odor this is a sign that it is time to have your pipes cleaned before a clog forms. As a bonus, once the cleaning is complete the odor should be completely gone.
· Prevent Home Damage
Finally, it is important to remember that clogged drains cause damage to more than just your plumbing. Plumbing repair will be just one thing on your list after a major plumbing emergency as the water and sewage from a backup or clog will get everywhere. For instance, in a bathroom the entire floor may need cleaned and tiling may get ruined and heavily soiled. In a kitchen, the water may overflow and ruin vinyl or laminate surrounding the kitchen sink. Depending on how large of a clog occurs and the time before it is caught, it may even damage floors and seep into other rooms in your home. The costs of home damage are high, making the low price of regular drain cleaning a worthy investment.
How Often Do You Need Your Drains Cleaned?
Most homeowners find that regular drain cleaning is the best way to prevent middle of the night emergency plumbing repair calls in the Irving, TX area. Usually once a year is more than enough to keep drains running properly. If you haven’t had your drains cleaned yet this year, you may want to give bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas a call today.