From bathing, cooking, and showering to gardening and other household chores, we rely on a functioning plumbing system to make our lives more convenient and comfortable. While they are often overlooked, drains are an important part of your plumbing system because they serve as a conduit to move used water away and route it to your septic tank or city sewer system.

A clogged or slow-moving drain makes household tasks almost impossible. What’s more, a clogged drain can lead to costly repairs, inconvenience, health risks, and damage to your home. Learning more about how drains get clogged, signs of issues and how to prevent them, and the benefits of regular drain cleanings can help you keep your home’s water flowing freely throughout the year.

Signs of Clogged Drains

Clear drains are important to the overall health of your plumbing system. If you notice any of these signs, your drains require prompt attention.

Slow Drainage

A bathroom or kitchen sink that fills up while the water is running freely means that a foreign object or grease, hair, or soap is causing a blockage. If it’s isolated to one sink, the clog may not be deep in the plumbing. If more than one sink runs slowly, however, the clog goes deeper. Regular maintenance and careful disposal of waste can prevent these issues.

Frequent Clogs

The more clogs re-occur, the more serious the blockage. Your issues will need to be addressed by a professional plumber. Ignoring these signs can lead to more severe plumbing issues, including burst pipes.

Standing Water

Water that pools inside your sinks, washing machine, basement floor drain, or drainage pipe indicates a clog that requires attention. Standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, making prompt resolution critical.

Foul Smell

An unpleasant smell that isn’t resolved by running water down the drain may indicate a drain clog. In cases of serious clogs, this odor can permeate the house, affecting indoor air quality and making living conditions uncomfortable.

Swarming Flies and Pests

If fruit flies are swarming around your drain, it indicates they’re after food debris stuck in pipes. You may even see small rodents such as mice. Such pests can carry diseases, making it important to address the issue quickly.

Gurgling Sounds

If you hear a gurgling sound after flushing the toilet or running a faucet, it’s likely caused by water trying to escape through tight spaces in a clogged drain. Air bubbles in the toilet also indicate a drainage problem, possibly in the sewer line. This sound is a clear indication that air is trapped and is a sign that venting issues may also be present in your plumbing system.

Preventing Clogged Drains

You’ve heard the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to your plumbing system, you can take some simple steps to help prevent clogged drains.

Use a Drain Screen

A good way to keep solids from clogging drains is to install a drain screen. If you scrape plates thoroughly before washing dishes, the drain screen will effectively catch any remaining food debris. Similarly, placing a hair screen in the bathroom will help prevent drains from getting clogged with clumps of hair and soap.

Watch What Foods You Put in Your Disposal

Is your sink equipped with a disposal? While a garbage disposal can be a convenient appliance, it can turn into a major source of issues if used inappropriately. It’s important to remember that certain foods, such as banana peels, egg shells, corn husks, coffee grounds, and onion skins, should not be put down the disposable because they can cling to pipes and cause a major clog. In addition, foods like pasta and rice swell with water and don’t disintegrate, so they should be disposed of in the trash rather than put down the disposal.

Clean Your Drain Stoppers Regularly

A small but effective way to prevent drain clogs is by regularly cleaning drain stoppers. Soap scum and hair that build up on them can cause drains to run slowly and possibly lead to a full blockage. Additionally, removing and cleaning the stopper not only prevents clogs but also helps eliminate unpleasant odors that can arise from the buildup of organic material.

Only Flush Toilet Paper

Other than human waste, it’s crucial to ensure that only toilet paper designed to degrade quickly in water is flushed down the toilet. Overusing even the correct toilet paper, however, can still lead to clogs. It’s essential to use a moderate amount and avoid flushing large quantities at once to prevent overwhelming the toilet or the broader sewer system. Additionally, educating household members about what shouldn’t be flushed — such as wipes, sanitary products, and other non-degradable items — can further protect your plumbing from unnecessary blockages.

Reduce Hair in the Drains

Minimizing the amount of hair that enters your drains is an easy way to prevent clogs. One effective method is to brush your hair thoroughly before stepping into the shower so that you remove loose strands that might otherwise wash down the drain. For pet owners, bathing pets outside when weather permits can significantly reduce the amount of pet hair entering indoor plumbing systems. Additionally, installing a hair catcher in shower and bathtub drains can serve as a long-term solution.

Benefits of Regular Drain Cleaning

Unfortunately, even with preventative measures, you may run into drain issues from time to time. When this happens, there are a few DIY hacks that may be effective for minor problems. Using a plunger or flushing the drains with boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or dish detergent, may help, but they’re no match for serious clogs.

Instead of trying ineffective DIY drain cleaning methods, you can avoid all the headaches of clogged drains by using a regular drain cleaning service. Trained professionals have the knowledge, skills, equipment, and powerful drain and sewer line methods to help prevent and resolve drain issues. Using a regular drain cleaning service will provide you with the following benefits.

Save Money in the Long Run

Regular cleaning helps avoid costly emergency repairs and potential water damage from backups or burst pipes. By maintaining clear pipes, you’re also minimizing wear and tear, which can prolong the system’s life and save on future replacement costs.

Prolong the Life of Your Plumbing

Regularly removing debris and build-up from your pipes prevents corrosion and deterioration of your plumbing infrastructure. This care extends the lifespan of your system, ensuring it functions efficiently for a longer period.

Increase the Lifespan of Appliances

Appliances that use water, like washing machines and dishwashers, depend on clear drains to operate correctly. Regular drain cleaning ensures these appliances are not stressed by backflows, thereby extending their useful life.

Enhance the Value of Your Property

A well-maintained plumbing system is a significant asset when evaluating a property’s value. Regular drain cleaning is a sign of a well-maintained home, which could potentially increase your property’s market value and appeal to prospective buyers.

Prevent Unpleasant Odors

Regular drain cleaning removes the build-up of food particles, grease, and other debris that can cause unpleasant smells in your home. By keeping your drains clean, you’re ensuring that your living space remains fresh and odor-free.

Turn to the Pros for Expert Drain Cleaning

Improve your home comfort and avoid the headache of drain issues with regular professional drain cleaning. Our plumbing professionals at Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air in Sacramento have the knowledge and equipment to clean your drains regularly and help you avoid the hassles of clogs. We also offer a full range of heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services.

If you’re dealing with a plumbing issue or want to learn more about scheduling regular drain cleanings, contact us at Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air today.