Looking to buy a new hot water tank for your home? Check our our HOT WATER TANK BUYER’S GUIDE before you purchase!

We're Hiring!   |   Call Now: 604-879-1415

How Often Should I Get My Drains Cleaned?

Have you ever gone to take a shower, only to notice water collecting at your feet? What about when you wash your dishes and the old water doesn’t drain away?

This is the result of clogged drains in your home! You don’t want to leave home maintenance on the back burner. Your drains can clog without you even knowing it.

If you live in an older home especially, there could be junk in your drains that has collected over the years.

Getting your drains cleaned frequently is the only way to avoid unexpected clogs. But how often is too often? There are a few factors that contribute to deciding when you need your drains cleaned.

Who Is More At Risk For Clogged Drains?

If you have just built a brand new home, chances are, your drains are working perfectly! Your drainage system is factory new, so you won’t run into a clog anytime soon.

Older homes and rental homes are more at risk for clogged drains. Older homes may have outdated pipes and gutters. These tend to be narrow and can collect debris quickly, leading to a faster clog.

Anyone can experience clogs, however, and a major reason is your lifestyle and habits. You are at a higher risk for clogged drains if you wash your dishes in the kitchen sink, rather than a dishwasher. Food can collect faster in your sink from debris washed off of plates and dishes.

The key is to be aware and try to actively avoid clogs by preventing them before they start.

How Long Does It Take For My Drains To Clog?

There are many different types of things that can affect the speed at which your drains will clog. Mainly it comes down to how frequently you use them, and the amount of debris that collects within them.

If your kitchen sink collects a lot of excess food, and you don’t have a grate or filter on, over the drain, your sink will clog frequently. Likewise, if you have long or thick hair, you will often find your shower or the sink in your bathroom clog faster.

Your hair can clog sinks quickly. In this case, it is best to avoid brushing your hair over the bathroom sink. Get a shower grate for the drain in the bathroom. This way you can remove hairs from the grate, rather than the drain.

Drains can clog if they are subjected to a high volume of users. If you have a large family that shares a bathroom or kitchen, this can contribute to how quickly your drains clog as well.

The speed at which clogs occur will be different for everyone, in every home. A key factor to keep in mind is prevention. If you stay aware of clogs and properly maintain your drains, it will not be problematic.

Why Frequent Upkeep Is Important

Making sure that your drains are working effectively is important because it saves you money in the long run. Well maintained drains will last longer and require less upkeep.

There will be less stress on the drain in the long run and it will be less likely that you will need your drains replaced in the future. Some easy ways to keep your drains well maintained include:

  • Get a drain filter
  • Avoid leaving excess food on your plate, brush extra food into the garbage
  • Get your drains checked every 2 years

How Often Should Drains Be Cleaned Professionally?

There are several ways to clean and unclog your drains at home. However, it is a good idea to have them professionally cleaned once in awhile as a preventative measure. This is especially recommended if your drain is frequently used.

If your drain is clogging once every month, or if you notice that it has started to clog more than before, it is a good idea to have it professionally cleaned. There may be something more serious going on that your plumber is trained to notice.

Professionals recommended that in any house, it is a good idea to get your drains tested and cleaned once every two years.

But if you notice a problem, for example, water drains slowly, or there is a smell coming from your drain, you have a clog that should be dealt with sooner rather than later.

Call Your Plumber!

It is a good idea to get your drains checked by a professional once every two years. If you think there may be a problem with your drains, contact your plumber.

Clogged drains can be a sign of something else going on with your pipes. If the clog doesn’t go away when you try to fix it at home, call your plumber. At Hillcrest Plumbing and Heating, we have worked with all kinds of plumbing situations, for over 50 years.

Our plumbers have the education and the experience to help you in any plumbing situation or emergency. We are available 24/7 so you can call at any time, and help will be on its way immediately!

 

Search

Contact Us

"*" indicates required fields