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Signs That Your Home Needs Drain Cleaning

Maybe it’s happened to you before: Suddenly, none of your home’s drains work anymore. When a plunger or hot water fails to work, you may be experiencing a clog or blockage deeper within your system. Clogs can be a major disruption in your home that affects your daily routine. In order to remedy plumbing problems before they escalate, you may need professional assistance. Here are the signs that your home needs drain cleaning:

Warning Signs

When it comes to your plumbing, it tends to show you signs of an issue before anything major happens. Being aware that your home’s drains need clearing in the first place can prevent them from getting clogged — and you could have saved yourself a lot of hassle and money. Here are the major signs that you need drain clearing:

  • Foul odor. Your drains should never smell. A bad smell is a sign of a bad clog forming in the drain system. Since the clog captures more and more organic waste, that waste will simply sit and rot in the drain. Sometimes it attracts little fruit flies that gather around the drains in the kitchen and bathrooms. The clog and flies can eventually even attract vermin and become a health hazard to you and your family.
  • Slow drainage. If you notice that your bathroom or kitchen drains keep getting slower and slower, then there’s a problem somewhere in the drain. It could be a simple, superficial clog, but it could also be something more serious. Tree roots are constantly looking for their food source: water.In their search, it’s not uncommon for them to break into a pipe of yours.  It could also be a damaged drain that has caved in due to shifting ground or some other cause.
  • Your toilet won’t go down. If your toilet won’t drain and plunging doesn’t help, then you probably have a clog further in the sewer line. In order to maintain sanitary bathroom conditions and keep up with your daily routines, you should have a professional locate the problem immediately.
  • Strange noises. When clogs build up and water is slow to drain, it can create gurgling and bubbling noises in the drain. It can also be a signal of a crack or leak somewhere in your system.
  • Standing water. If you have a serious clog, then the water from the drain system will eventually back up. You’ll first notice it in the shower and bath since those drains are closest to the floor. If the problem gets worse, you’ll notice it in the sinks and your toilet as well. If water is left to build up, you may face potential water damage or mold contamination.

If you notice one or more of these signs, you should call a plumber right away. A professional will be able to locate the problem and get your plumbing back up and running in no time.

Prevention Is Key

Of course, you can minimize the chances of needing drain clearing by maintaining your drains properly. Twice a month, clean your kitchen and bathroom drains with a homemade cleaner. Most store-bought ones have harsh chemicals that can actually damage your pipes or surroundings if they leak. Pour a pot of boiling water into the drain, followed by half a cup of baking soda. After a few minutes, pour a cup of vinegar and more hot water in. Cover the drain and let the mixture work in for about five minutes, then flush the drain with very hot water.

Don’t wait until it’s too late – call McHales for all of your drain cleaning and clearing needs. 

Don’t delay. Call today!