Why should my drains be cleaned?
Prevent drain clogs with a routine drain clean to ensure organic matter and build-up from regular use are cleared away. Many things that are commonly washed down the drain can cause sewer clogs.
- Hair
- Grease
- Food bits
- Soap build-up
- Hard water minerals
Organic matter will build up over time. A bacterial drain cleaner, or a drain maintainer, will help break down the buildup in your drain organically.
How do I know if my drain is clogged?
Common symptoms of a drain clog include slow-draining sinks, bathtubs, or showers. Appliances that are slow draining, or that don’t drain at all, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, could be a sign of a clog.
Bad odour or gurgling noises in a sink, bathtub, or shower may also be signs of a clogged drain.
A clog in a drain pipe is limited to the pipe near the drain area. For example, a clog in the shower that slows or inhibits water from draining in the shower would not impact the kitchen sink drain.
In contrast, a clog in the main drain or the main sewer line will inhibit waste from flowing to the city sewer lines. The clog will impact every drain in the home, starting with the drains in the lowest point of the house.
If the clog is severe enough that nothing can pass through, wastewater will return to the home and enter the lowest drain. For example, if a sewer backup occurred, most likely waste would return through a basement floor drain, a basement shower or a bathtub.
What are the causes of drain clogs?
Drain clogs are often caused by everyday use, and sometimes by pouring or flushing the wrong things.
Here is a breakdown of the various common causes of drain clogs by room.
What could be blocking my sink drain?
Kitchen sinks are notorious for getting clogged because of food bits and grease.
Consider how the following substances can contribute to clogs:
Oil and Grease
Oil and grease often go down the drain as a liquid. As they cool, they solidify and coat the drain pipe. Oil and grease will collect on an existing clog, making it bigger.
Prolonged habits of pouring grease and oil down the drain will cause issues not just in the drain pipe, but possibly in the main sewer line too.
The best method is to pour grease into a disposable container and throw it in the garbage.
Food Bits
Food bits are commonly put down the drain, especially when a garbage disposal is installed.
- Pasta
- Rice
- Grains
These foods swell when they absorb water and can expand inside the drain.
Peels, Bones, and Egg Shells
Even if you have a garbage disposal, peels, bones, and eggshells should not be put down the drain. While some garburators can grind them, the issue occurs further down the drain where solids collect and form clogs.
Soaps
Soap drains similarly to grease. When soap mixes with hard water, minerals create a residue known as soap scum.
If a clog already exists, soap scum can stick to it and contribute to buildup.
What is clogging my shower and bathtub drain?
Bathtubs and shower drains commonly clog over time from normal use.
Hair
Hair is one of the biggest culprits of shower and bathtub clogs. Hair acts like a net and traps debris that moves through the drain.
Soap Scum
Soap scum is especially common in Red Deer because of hard water.
Hard water contains a higher concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. When these minerals mix with soap, shampoo, or body wash, soap scum forms.
Soap scum becomes worse when hair or other debris is already forming a clog, because the residue sticks to it and builds a larger blockage.
Caustic chemical drain cleaners can damage drain pipes and destroy beneficial bacteria that break down waste in drains.
How do I clear a blocked drain?
Do not pour chemical drain cleaners such as Drano into your pipes.
These products are designed to break down clogs but can also damage plumbing.
If a bacterial drain cleaner has been used, chemical cleaners will destroy the beneficial bacteria.
If possible, remove the clog manually by removing the drain cover and pulling out the obstruction. If the clog cannot be reached, a drain snake may help remove it.
Does a plumber need to clean my drains?
Improper use of tools such as drain snakes or coat hangers can damage drain pipes.
If the clog cannot be accessed easily, a plumbing technician can assess the situation.
A plumber may use a camera inspection to view the inside of the pipe and identify the blockage.
They may also use tools such as:
- Drain augers
- Drain snakes
- Camera inspections
An auger clears the drain by drilling through the clog, but it may not be appropriate for older or damaged pipes.
How often should I clean my drains?
If you have recurring clogs, consider having a plumber clean the drain annually.
Using a bacterial drain cleaner can help maintain drains and reduce the frequency of professional service.
As bacteria establish in the drain, applications can become less frequent.
It is also helpful to change habits that contribute to clogs, such as washing grease or food bits down the drain.
Consider installing strainers in frequently clogged drains.
We provide drain cleaning in Red Deer for sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, and main drain lines, including clog removal, auger service, blockage diagnosis, and help preventing future backups.