How to Handle Plumbing Stoppages & Prevent Drain Clogs
The U.S. EPA estimates that at least 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) occur in the country yearly. SSOs are big problems since they can cause sewage back-up in homes, property damage, health threats, and water quality issues.
Government agencies are responsible for maintaining public sanitary sewer systems. However, consumers can contribute to problems by flushing or pouring inappropriate things down their homes' drains. Examples are " flushable " items and fats, oils, and grease (FOG).
Fortunately, residential plumbing services, including drain snaking, can prevent your household from contributing to SSOs and dealing with plumbing stoppages and drain clogs.
Join our team of plumbing experts at HPC Services serving Southern Maryland and Virginia as we reveal the benefits of drain snaking in this home plumbing maintenance guide.
Drain Snaking 101
Drain snaking involves using a plumber's snake, also known as a "plumber's auger" or "drain snake." The snake features a thin, flexible metal cable with a hooked or cork-like tip. The snake can be manual (by hand) or motorized.
Professional plumbers use snakes to break down, snag, dislodge, and clear blockages deep within plumbing drains. They feed the cable into drain openings until it reaches a clog, and the tip can then drill through and clear it.
After that, plumbers test the results of their work by checking if the problematic drains now work smoothly and efficiently. If there is still some delay in the water draining, there are likely more clogs within the system. They'll keep repeating the steps with the auger and testing the drainage flow until the water goes down your drains quickly.
The Benefits of Professional Drain Snaking
Professional drain snaking services are home plumbing solutions that can help:
Fix clogged pipes
Reduce risks of costlier home repairs
Minimize sewage-related health and safety risks
Help ease the burden on municipal sewer systems
Let's take a closer look at each of these benefits.
Fix Clogged Pipes
Fats, oil, and grease poured down kitchen sinks eventually harden as they travel through drain pipes. They may be in liquid form when hot and first disposed of drains, but as they cool down, they will congeal or solidify, causing one or more blockages in pipes. The problem will worsen as other types of debris (particularly inappropriate items) stick to them.
Flushing things outside of the "three Ps" (pee, poo, and toilet paper) can also contribute to plumbing stoppages. So-called "flushables" are a perfect example; even if labeled such, paper towels, wet wipes, and sanitary napkins are unsafe to flush down the toilet. Unlike the three Ps, they don't break down quickly or may not even disintegrate, contributing to drain pipe and sewer clogs.
If you have clogged drains, hiring a professional plumber to snake them can help eliminate the stoppages. Your local licensed plumber can also perform a whole-home plumbing inspection if you have multiple drain and toilet woes. They'll use plumbing tools, including specialized cameras, to find and address all problematic drains in your home.
Reduce Risks of Costlier Home Repairs
The longer a clog sits in a drain pipe, the bigger and thicker it can get over time. The weight and the pressure exerted by the clog can then be enough to cause the pipe to crack or rupture, resulting in plumbing leaks. Damaged pipes cost more to repair and can lead to other expensive problems, such as water damage and mold development.
Unaddressed drain clogs also increase the likelihood of sewage back-ups. Once the clog completely covers the narrow insides of drain pipes, the wastewater you send down pipes won't reach the municipal sewer system. It will have nowhere else to go but back into your home.
For that reason, clogged drain pipes can cause indoor flooding, resulting in hefty repair bills for your Southern Maryland or Virginia home.
Prevent those problems from happening by scheduling professional drain snaking at the first sign of clogged pipes. We recommend doing the same if you haven't had expert drain cleaning for years or can't remember the last time you had one.
Minimize Sewage-Related Health and Safety Risks
As the U.S. CDC points out, handling sewage and waste can increase the risk of developing waterborne diseases. Sewage or wastewater contains pathogens (microorganisms that can cause disease), including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
If your plumbing system has massive clogs, you or your household may be in a similar situation. Unless removed immediately, clogs can cause wastewater and sewage to back up your drains and enter your home. If you attempt to clean the mess yourself, you may become exposed to the disease-causing microorganisms in sewage.
Molds that develop following a wastewater back-up can also cause potential health problems. For instance, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says that many health organizations confirm mold exposure can increase one's risk for respiratory problems. From asthma to allergic reactions and immune problems, these are just some potential health issues mold exposure can lead to.
Help Ease the Burden on Municipal Sewer Systems
SSOs often occur when heavy rains overtax sewers that already have clogs. Rainwater runoff worsens the blockages by bringing more debris into the pipes. As more water enters the sewers, so does clog-causing gunk, which can ultimately cause the pipes to become blocked entirely, back out of maintenance holes, and even into homes.
As mentioned above, inappropriate items like FOG and flushable items contribute to sewer clogging. So, before your household contributes to SSOs, consider hiring professionals to inspect and clean your drains with expert snaking services.
Partner With HPC Services for Quality Residential Plumbing Services
Don't wait for your home's drain pipes to become clogged, cause wastewater back-up, or contribute to sewer overflows. Instead, schedule professional residential plumbing services, including drain snaking, to clean and clear your drain pipes.
HPC Services is the go-to for quality, trustworthy residential HVAC and plumbing services in Southern Maryland and Virginia. We're a proud Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOB). All our certified technicians are highly experienced and qualified to keep your home's heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems in top condition.
Contact us today for a free quote, and don't forget to ask about our service discounts and special promotions!
