Nothing is worse than having a drain block up and spill foul water inside your commercial space. Cleaning the drains can be difficult when deciding how often you should clean your drainage, as different sources advocate weekly, quarterly, and monthly efforts.
If you're following the preventive maintenance methods, there's no need to clear your drains every week, even though it might seem like a good idea. Monthly cleanings are necessary if you don't pour oil, grease, or other potentially toxic chemicals down your sink.
Few people who own a house or building can tell you when or if they've had their plumbing checked. Inspecting your drainage pipes is a breeze when you have an access door—as one of your home or building's most expensive systems, keeping your drainage pipes clean will help you save time and money.
What causes drainage pipe clogging?
Clogged drains and pipes may start as relatively minor concerns, but they can quickly balloon into more serious ones. A clogged drain can make water drain more slowly, cause corrosion, floods, and, in worst cases, cause sewage to back up and require expensive repairs. The first step in preventing them is understanding what causes drains to become clogged in the first place. There can be many causes of clogged drainage pipes, including:
- A buildup of soap scum, hair, grease, and other organic matter
- Accumulation of inorganic materials such as sand, grit, and scale
- Infiltration of tree roots into the pipe system
- Broken or collapsed pipes
- Blockages created by non-flushable items such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and paper towels
Each can create a partial or complete blockage that prevents water from flowing through the pipe. In some cases, a few factors can contribute to pipe clogging. For example, soap scum buildup can provide a food source for bacteria, creating a biofilm that impedes water flow. Additionally, tree roots can grow into cracks in the pipe and break it apart, leading to a blockage.
Having a professional plumber assess your drainage system if you suspect it is clogged is essential, as trying to clear the blockage yourself can result in further damage to the pipe. Some blockages (such as those caused by tree roots) can be difficult or impossible to remove without specialized equipment. Plumbers will also be able to determine the cause of the blockage and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
How to Keep your Drainage Blockage-free
It's best to prevent blockages in the first place instead of having to deal with them later. Here's what you can do to stop blockages from forming:
- Hot Water: To remove fats and oils from your drain, pouring boiling water down the drain can help remove grease.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: If boiling water isn't enough, try mixing baking soda and vinegar as a natural drainage cleaner.
- Store-Bought Drain Cleaners: Drain cleaning solutions can be helpful if you're still unable to remove a tough blockage from your pipes.
- Plunger: An excellent old-fashioned plunger can clear more minor clogs and get your drains working again.
- Drain Snake: A plunger may not be enough to remove a significant blockage. A drain rod (also known as a drain snake) is a superior option in this situation. The drain snake is put into the drain and twisted when there's a blockage.
If none of it works or your drain blockage keeps happening, you should call a professional drain cleaning service. They will have the right tools and know how to eliminate even the toughest clogs.
Regular Drainage Maintenance and Its Significance
Cleaning your drains can keep your drainage system free-flowing and healthy, saving you money on future repairs. Regarding drain cleaning, there are no hard and fast guidelines to follow. Leaving a clogged drain unattended might lead to a possibly pricey repair in the future if the problem isn't taken care of now.
Regularly cleaning your drains can help keep them from getting worse and cost more to fix. It helps to ensure that your drainage system and piping are working well. Pressure can build up inside pipes if they are not draining correctly, leading to a burst or fractured pipe. Cleaning your drains will help your drainage system run smoothly.
1. Reduce the presence of unpleasant odors
It can be convenient to point the finger at the dog, but doing so will not help in any way to resolve the issue. Cleaning your drains on a regular basis will help minimize unpleasant odors from reaching your workspace.
2. Protect building occupants
When a drain gets clogged, sewage water can back up and leak into your space. It is a severe health hazard. Keeping your gutters clean will help ensure the sewer water stays where it should be.
3. Prevent damage
If your drainpipe leaks or cracks, it can threaten your building's structural safety. Leaking drains are a common cause of the collapse. Regular drain cleaning will help guarantee that your drainage system empties effectively and minimize any costly property damage.
Final Thoughts
Once a month is an ideal time to perform a drain cleaning since it's not so often that it becomes a chore, but not so rare that you might forget and let your drains get clogged. You can keep your drains working smoothly by cleaning them once a month.
It's important to remember that prevention is critical regarding drainage blockages. By checking your pipes and drains regularly, you can avoid nasty clogs and the costly repairs they often require. So don't wait until it's too late!