Are you concerned about the state of your home's drain system? Keeping your drain system clean is key for ensuring all of your plumbing fixtures work whenever you need them to. Here, we'll explore the most common signs you need to hire a professional drain cleaning service and also what options plumbers have for cleaning a drain system.

1. Drains Keep Clogging

Clogged drains usually result from not using your plumbing correctly. This can be anything from constantly washing food scraps down your kitchen sink to flushing wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, etc. One of the absolute worst things you can do is frequently pour fats, oils and greases into your kitchen sink drain instead of properly disposing of them in the trash. 

All of these substances are hydrophobic. That means they are repelled by water and remain floating on top of the water instead of mixing with it. This results in them often clinging to the insides of the pipes that make up your drain and sewer system. Over time, you can end up with a thick, sticky buildup that constricts the pipes so that not as much water can flow through them. This buildup also tends to trap other solids, eventually causing a blockage that clogs the pipe. 

The Lafayette area has moderately hard water, which also makes it more likely for your drain system to frequently clog up. The reason is that hard water leaves mineral deposits behind that collect within drain pipes. Over time, this layer of mineral deposits can also constrict drain and sewer pipes, further increasing the chances of clogs occurring. 

If you have a single drain or multiple drains that often clog up, it's a sure sign that you have some type of buildup inside the drain pipes. The only way to properly get rid of this buildup is with a professional drain cleaning service. 

Using any type of drain cleaning product simply won't be effective, as most only dissolve certain organic clogs and can’t clear grease or mineral buildup. You should also be aware that chemical drain cleaners can do major damage to your drain and sewer system, potentially forcing you to pay for costly repairs. 

2. Sinks or Shower Drain Slowly

Another indication that you need a professional drain cleaning service is if you frequently have to deal with slow drains. A slow drain is usually a sign that there is quite a bit of buildup inside the drain pipe or that the pipe is partially obstructed. 

It can also mean there's a partial blockage within your sewer line, but this will lead to all of your drains and toilets being slow. If all of your fixtures drain slowly, it could also be a sign that the plumbing vent pipe on your roof is clogged with debris. While less common, a clogged vent stack can also cause slow drainage and gurgling in multiple fixtures. Luckily, a plumber will quickly be able to pinpoint the culprit and clean or unblock whichever pipe or pipes are causing the problem. 

3. Drain Pipes Are Making Bubbling Noises

Any time a drain is slower than normal, you'll also commonly hear a gurgling or bubbling sound as the water travels down through the drain pipe. This sound comes from the air inside the drain pipe getting trapped by the water and then slowly bubbling up through it as the water goes down. 

Under normal circumstances, the water will just flow straight down through the pipe without any issues. That's because the drain pipe is rarely completely full, meaning the water doesn't cause air to get trapped. If the pipe is partially blocked and the water doesn't flow as smoothly and quickly, it can cause the drain pipe to fully fill up and the air to get trapped. 

4. Drains Frequently Smell Bad

Drain odors result from a combination of two interrelated things. The first is rotting organic materials, such as soap scum, oil, hair and grease. The second is the odor-causing bacteria within the drain that feeds on all of these things and releases a nasty-smelling chemical as a byproduct of their feeding. If you're constantly dealing with bad drain odors and you can't eliminate them, it means there's a large buildup of material within the drain that you need to get cleaned out.

5. Drain Flies in Your Kitchen or Bathroom

Another sign that there's a large buildup of organic debris within a drain and the P-trap underneath it is when flies are constantly coming out of the drain. Frequently referred to as drain or sewer flies, these pests thrive in dirty drains. These flies are more commonly found in drains that aren't used all that often, but they can also live in an overly dirty drain that gets routine daily use. 

They start by laying eggs within the drain, as their larvae need to live in water in order to mature into adult flies. This makes a drain the ideal place due to the water that constantly remains trapped within a P-trap. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae then feed on the organic material within the P-trap water. 

The other reason the flies live within drains is that it gives them a safe place to hide before coming out at night. While you'd think that you could just get rid of the adult flies by washing them down the drain, this isn't the case. That's because they move extremely fast and their bodies are covered in dense hairs that trap air and make them almost fully repellent to water. 

How a Professional Drain Cleaning Service Works

Plumbing companies have a few different tools at their disposal that they can use to clean drains. Which method they'll use depends on what they're trying to accomplish or what issue they're facing. 

A manual or automatic drain auger, also known as a pipe snake, is a great way to break through even the most stubborn clogs. The auger is connected to a long metal cable and continually spins as it is fed down through the drain. The fact that it spins allows it to push straight through all of the solid material that's blocking the drain pipe and break the clog up so everything gets washed away. 

Hydrojetting is an excellent option for routine cleaning and eliminating buildup inside a drain system or a sewer line. The process involves using a special machine and nozzle that produces high-pressure jets of water. 

As the nozzle and hose are fed down through the drain, the jets of water essentially scour the inside of the pipe and wash away all of the fat, scum and mineral deposits. The hose is long enough that the plumber can clean the entire length of the drain line, including lateral and main sewer lines, depending on access points.

Contact Us Today

As the area's leading plumbing service, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® is ready to assist with your drain cleaning and plumbing repair needs. 

We were named the country's top plumbing company for 2024 by Forbes and have a team of expert plumbers specializing in all services. That includes repairing leaks, installing new plumbing fixtures, getting your water heater repaired, or anything else related to your plumbing. 

When you turn to us, you can trust you'll receive top-quality work at a fair, honest price. To schedule a drain cleaning service and get help overcoming whatever issues you're experiencing, contact us today.