Sewage and Drainage Line Cleaning
Part of the service repertoire of some plumbers is that of sewage and drainage line cleaning. They typically possess the know-how and specific tools necessary to deal with cleaning and other issues that may arise. Sometimes, however, it may be best to first attempt to clean or fix the issue yourself to save time and money.
If you notice strange noises, foul smells or slow flushing coming from your drains, this could be an indication a cleaning or repair is needed.
All of the drains in your house (i.e., sinks, shower drains, toilets) feed into drainage lines that eventually run to the sewer system. These “lateral lines” run to sewer mains or a main line.
Below are six (6) tips on self-cleaning Methods and knowing when to hire a qualified plumber:
Preventative Drainage Cleaning
The best way to avoid major drain line issues is to perform preventative cleaning. One of the best and most affordable ways to do this is by using baking soda as a scouring material. Since drainage pipes are long and narrow and thereby difficult to clean manually, adding baking soda to your drain lines every month or two can really aid in getting down to those tough-to-clean places. In addition to baking soda, citrus-based cleaners also are effective in preventing debris and other buildup in your drainage system.
Although drain cleaners can be abrasive and potentially damaging to your lines, using these cleaners a few times a year to undergo a deep cleaning of your drainage system is totally fine and even recommended to circumvent long-term buildup that could result in costly clogs and necessary repairs in the future.
Clean Drainage Lines With Enzymes
The best way to perform routine maintenance on your drainage system is to utilize an enzyme cleaner. These types of cleaners are typically available at most hardware or plumbing supply stores. Use these enzyme cleaners per manufacturer’s instructions. it is advisable to use these cleaners in your largest drain, but any drain will work. Enzyme cleaners create a biological reaction in order to break down debris and other clogs and need time to allow this process to work properly.
Simply Flush Drain Lines with Water
A simple way to clean your drains is to flush them with water. This can be done by flushing toilets or by allowing water to flow from faucets into the drains below. You can add a little bit of drain cleaner during this process to increase the cleaning power. Use caution and always look for a clog first to avoid adding extra water to a drain line that is already backed up and will just further clog the line. Be sure to clear any clog first, then proceed with using water as a cleaning method.
Degrease using a Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution
A cheap and effective degreasing solution is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. When these two ingredients are mixed together they produce a bubbly chemical reaction that has the ability to gently scrape away grease that is causing debris buildup in your pipes. This cleaning method is great for cleaning up a slowly flushing drain, for example, but it is also a good idea to pour this solution down your drains on occasion as a maintenance tactic to proactively avoid these types of issues in the first place.
Utilize a Plumbing Snake
Minor drainage clogs can easily be broken up and removed by what is called a “snake.” These affordable and handy devices are essentially augers that can be inserted into a drain line to cut or twist through whatever is causing the clog. Snakes are ideal for small clogs, but be cautious as to not damage your lines in the process and if it does not aid in removing the clog, consider contacting a plumber for added assistance.
Hire Professional Drain Cleaning
When you run into a drainage issue that you are unable to fix yourself, consider hiring a plumber that specializes in sewer and drain cleaning.
This will ensure they have the proper training and equipment to handle this type of repair. Find out the duration and strategy the plumber plans to execute to get an estimation of the work that is to be carried out. Sometimes a plumber is only needed to inspect and diagnose the problem so you can accurately address the issue yourself or decide whether or not to proceed with professional repair services. Getting this kind of advice and service from a plumber when an issue is first detected can potentially save you a substantial amount of money and trouble.
Your household Sewer Lines
Sewer lines usually do not provoke much attention from homeowners and therefore people tend to neglect maintenance routines that will prevent future issues from developing. Keep in mind, however, that very simple preventative cleaning procedures like those detailed above can go a long way in keeping your plumbing concerns to a minimum.
Beyond cleaning and light unclogging, some sewer line problems will require professional plumber services. If you are located in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, contact West Coast Plumbing & Air to help you handle any of your drainage systems concerns.