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Drains are often sadly overlooked as part of regular home maintenance. Being a homeowner comes with a lot of responsibilities, and it’s easy for certain things to fall between the cracks. You’re busy with what feels like hundreds of other tasks. Dust and dirt buildup keeps you constantly cleaning. Obvious wear and tear have you running around as well to keep your home in good shape. Between regular care, plus feeding a family and caring for children and pets, it seems like there’s hardly enough time in a day. And as you rush about every day, working hard to keep up with everything, your drains sit neglected. 

Does that sound like your situation? If you can’t remember the last time you got your drains cleaned, then it’s time to make a change. Check out our guide to learn what you need to know about drain cleaning. 

The Importance of Drain Cleaning

Drain cleaning is an essential part of maintaining your home. If you don’t clean your drains regularly, you will run into these four problems: 

1. Slow Drain Times 

Have you ever been standing in your shower, enjoying the hot water, only to realize your feet have become submerged in a cold, filthy puddle that has built up on the floor? Slow drain times make your shower experience much less enjoyable. After all, who wants to stand in the soap, dirt, and oil that’s meant to swirl quickly away down the pipes? When you invest in maintenance regularly, you won’t experience the slow drain times that ruin your shower experience. 

2. Leaks

When you don’t clean your drain regularly, chemical deposits start to form. These chemical deposits then start to damage your pipes. When your pipes get damaged, eventually, they’ll start to leak. This then leads to other problems, such as water damage. 

A woman who learned the importance of drain cleaning removes hair from her sink

3. Water Damage

As you know, water can cause extensive damage when it leaks. You might notice stains blossoming on your walls and floors, as well as your furniture. This damage can be costly to repair, not to mention hazardous to your health. Water from areas like your toilet and shower is unhygienic and unsanitary. You’ll need help from both a plumber and a restoration professional if you experience serious leaks. 

4. Unpleasant Odors

Did you know that not cleaning your drains can lead to unpleasant odors? Your drainage system is wet and dark. Wet and dark places are the best environment for fostering bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. When these foul substances begin to form in your drain, they cause odors to rise and permeate your home. 

How to Clean Drains

So, how do you clean drains? What is the best drain cleaner? Does drain cleaner work? Well, that depends on what type of clog you have and whether you have a septic system. Tough clogs may need a chemical cleaner such as Drano or Instant Power Hair and Grease. However, these harsh chemicals can damage your plumbing system over time. If you have a septic system, it’s best to stick with something like Bio-Clean, which destroys organic matter in your drains without harming plumbing. 

You can also use homemade cleaners if you do not have severe buildups or clogs. Vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water are effective natural cleaners. The Spruce uses this multi-step process to clean drains naturally with these materials: 

  • Dump boiling water down the drain 
  • Follow the boiling water with ½ cup of baking soda
  • Add in ½ cup of vinegar 
  • Give the mixture 10 minutes to work 
  • Dump more boiling water down the drain 
  • Run some hot tap water to clear everything out 

We Can Help With Drain Cleaning! 

Have you tried DIY solutions to no avail? We are here to assist you. Our team at ASAP Plumbing Experts is fully licensed and insured, and we have the skills you need to ensure that your drains do their job without complications. Contact us today to learn more about our professional services!