Your home’s plumbing has two systems which both need to be working properly in order for your home to function smoothly. There’s the water main coming into your home, which connects to all the faucets and fixtures with water lines. And then there’s the drainage system. This includes every drain, the pipes that carry the drain water away, and the sewer line they all lead to.
Drain problems can lead to some very unpleasant consequences, potentially even as bad as sewage backing up into your tubs and sinks! To prevent these problems, your drains and sewer line need occasional check-ups and cleanings.
How can you tell if it’s time for a drain cleaning? Well, the smell might give you a clue, and there are some other signs to watch out for as well.
1: Drain Odors
If foul smells are wafting up from your sink, tub, or shower drains, you’ve got a problem. It may be caused by decaying matter caught somewhere in your drain pipes. It could also be that the sewer vent, which makes sure dangerous sewer gasses are safely vented out of your home, is blocked. This requires attention urgently, so don’t delay getting help from a qualified plumber.
2: Slow Drains
If there is something creating a partial blockage somewhere in your drains, the water will run out of your sinks and tub much more slowly than it should. You may find yourself standing in an inch or two of dirty water and soap scum when you take a shower. That blockage can easily be cleared away with professional drain cleaning so that the water will drain much more quickly.
3: Frequent Clogs
A clog in one particular drain can be dealt with by using a plunger, plastic drain snake, or hand-cranked drain auger. Don’t use chemical drain cleaner, however, which can cause more problems than it solves. But if more than one drain in your home is clogged, or if one drain clogs often, the source of the problem is deeper within the drain or in the sewer pipe and requires professional attention.
4: Lawn Problems
Issues with the sewer line which carries all your wastewater away from your home can lead to issues with your lawn. This includes soggy patches, smelly puddles, or particularly lush green areas where the lawn is receiving unintentional fertilizing. If you notice anything like this occurring in your yard, get drain cleaning in Columbia, SC right away.
5: Time Passing
Ideally, you would consider drain and sewer line cleaning to be part of routine home maintenance. The fifth sign that it’s time to have your drains cleaned is simply the passage of time. If you haven’t had it done in at least two years, you should definitely schedule a cleaning. If you have a large family or finicky plumbing system, you might need to do it annually.
Ready to schedule that drain cleaning? We’re ready to help!
Contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling today for a plumbing and drain expert in Columbia, SC!