If you’ve ever had water collect at your feet during a shower, or have been washing dishes and struggling to drain the old water away, it may be time to clean your drains.
In older homes especially, the passing of time means that, no matter how careful the homeowner is, pipes will begin to accumulate matter. By treating drain cleaning as any other home maintenance task, homeowners reduce the risk of unexpected clogging and drain backups.
Am I at Risk for Clogged Drains?
Chances are, if you have a newer home, you are less likely to have clogged drains. The piping, after all, is brand new!
However, older homes have a higher risk of clogged drains, as do rental units. Lifestyle and habits can also have an effect on drains, and that affects homes of all ages. For example, homeowners who choose to wash their dishes by hand are more likely to wash debris down the sink and therefore can be more prone to clogs.
How Fast Can Drains Clog?
While there isn’t a hard and fast timeline that dictates just when a drain will begin to clog, it comes down to how often the drain is used and the amount of debris that collects in it. Shower drains, for example, can be quick to clog, as a certain amount of hair is washed down the drain on a daily basis. A sink that doesn’t have a grate or filter on it will also clog quickly if food is constantly washed down it. If a drain is subjected to a high volume of users, this too, will dictate how fast and how often it can clog.
Why It’s Important to Maintain Your Drains
Making sure your drains are working well will help you save money in the long run. That’s why, where possible, it’s important to practice preventative measures such as:
- Getting a drain filter
- Avoiding brushing food directly into the sink (scrape leftovers into the garbage before washing)
- Get your drain professionally checked every 2-3 years
Professional Cleaning as a Preventative Measure
If your drain is clogging once a month, or you notice that clogging is happening more frequently than before, it may be a good idea to have a professional come and examine your drains. There may be something happening that a plumber will be able to diagnose and fix before the problem worsens. However, it’s recommended that every house has a professional drain cleaning every 2-3 years. This helps remove buildup throughout your plumbing system and keep drains in perfect working order.
Need Your Drains Cleaned? Call Us!
Rite Tech handles all of your plumbing needs, including drain cleaning and clog removal. We’ll make sure your pipes are in perfect working order so you never have to deal with a slow drain again. Contact us today.
