Repeated drain clogs are unpleasant, disruptive, and unsanitary. They can also be costly and damaging. Recurring drain clogs are often a symptom of a deeper issue. It’s best to let a professional diagnose a clog and perform plumbing clog repair. DIY fixes often only alleviate superficial symptoms without fixing the root problem. It’s helpful to know the causes and risks of drain clogs and when it’s time to call a professional.
Common Causes of Repeated Drain Clogs
If you have drain clogs or slow drains, the most common causes are all around you. Hair, soap scum, grease and food buildup are the usual suspects. Even something as plain as coffee grounds can create stubborn blockages.
Improper disposal habits or non-flushable items can lead to serious clogs. Mineral buildup and hard water are other common drain clog causes requiring professional drain cleaning.
Hidden Plumbing Problems That Trigger Frequent Clogs
Partial blockages deep in the drain line can cause it to clog repeatedly. Pipe corrosion, scaling or narrowing often leads to drain clogs as does damaged piping, bellies, and offsets. Our plumbers can pinpoint the problem with a comprehensive drain inspection.
Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Make Problems Worse
Chemical drain cleaners contain powerful, harsh ingredients that damage pipes over time. The most widely used chemicals are lye, caustic alternatives, acids, and oxidizers. These chemicals generate intense heat that corrodes metal and melts/warps PVC pipe. They can also dissolve protective layers and degrade seals, leading to blockages and leaks.
The result is relief that’s temporary. Pipes treated with chemical cleaners continue to degrade over time. Of most importance, chemical drain cleaners are unsafe and terrible for the environment, too. They’re the root cause of chemical burns during DIY plumbing. They also pollute water and air and contaminate soil.
Warning Signs It’s Time to Call a Professional Plumber
If the drains throughout your home are constantly backing up or moving slowly, call a professional. The longer you wait, the worse the problem becomes.
The warning signs that you might need drain inspection and professional drain cleaning include:
- Gurgling sounds
- Foul odors
- Frequent clogs that return quickly
- Floor drains, showers, and tubs backing up
Burst pipes are the absolute worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, thick drain clogs and the chemical cleaners often used to treat them can lead to burst pipes. Having a seasoned plumber on your side is essential to solving your home’s plumbing issues.
How Professional Drain Cleaning Solves the Root Problem
Similar to your annual HVAC inspection, we advise a professional plumbing inspection and maintenance at least once annually. Inspections and routine maintenance help our plumbers to locate underlying issues before they fester. Unchecked drain clogs and plumbing issues can lead to dangerous, costly pipe breakages.
These days, we have very specific technology to help us locate and diagnose drain clogs. That includes camera inspections, for example. During a camera inspection, we use a high-res camera on a flexible cable for deep pipe inspections. The camera provides a live video, helping our plumbers locate and dislodge drain clogs.
Back in the day, plumbers used mechanical tools to “snake” a drain blockage. But snaking merely punches a hole in the blockage. It doesn’t actually clear the pipe’s interior of materials that cause blockages. Snaking is still very common and, at times, alleviates clogged drains temporarily.
More effective is hydro jetting. Hydro jetting involves pumping high-pressure flows of water through your home’s drains. The high-pressure water flows blast through blockages. Hydro jetting is a safer, more reliable method for dislodging deep, stubborn clogs.
Preventative maintenance is a great way to minimize or eliminate blockages. Proper disposal habits help plumbing systems function properly as well. But preventative maintenance can preserve the health and structural integrity of your home’s drains. It also supports the longevity of your home’s plumbing system, its water quality, and its water efficiency.
Stop Fighting Clogs and Protect Your Plumbing System
Drain clogs that recur indicate deeper issues within your home’s plumbing system. DIY solutions are often temporary and can make matters worse. Recurring drain clogs require a professional plumber to fix the problem and minimize further damage. Annual plumbing maintenance can save you lots of trouble down the line. We also offer plumbing inspections, piping/repiping, and water line repair.
If you’re a Houston homeowner with stubborn drain clogs, call Village Plumbing, Air & Electric to schedule professional drain cleaning.
