A Homeowner’s Guide to Drain and Sewer Maintenance

Drain and sewer maintenance may be one of the most important and timely home service requests. However, these requests are typically only required when an actual problem emerges. In the event of a drain or sewer problem, your entire home or building and its contents may be damaged as a result of the flood or leak. In certain cases, this can extend beyond small damages when contents become wet or damp, which creates unsanitary conditions as well as an ideal breeding ground for mold.

Backups can also lead to increased pressure in the system, causing leaks or pipe failure—especially in older plumbing systems. These issues are often first noticed when water drains slowly or backs up, which may signal a larger problem.

Additional signs that it’s time to schedule professional drain and sewer maintenance services can include:

1. Gurgling: Gurgling drains are a clear sign that there is a partial blockage somewhere in your system. Typically, the length of time between when the water has disappeared and when the gurgling starts will let you know how far downstream the problem is. In other words, your system is telling you that it’s time for drain lines to get snaked or jetted!
2. Burping: When your drains begin to burp, that is another sure sign of issues just below the surface. If there is a blockage or lack of airflow in the venting or drainage system, you may experience burping as the air has nowhere to go but through the trap seal. 
3. Slow Draining: When water in your drain is slow to go down, it needs maintenance right away. After all, it’s only a matter of time before you’re standing in inches of water in your shower, or worse, your toilet or bathtub overflows. Most times, it’s not going to fix itself!

How Can I Get My Drain or Sewer Line Running Smoothly Again?

Now that we have established how your drainage system will essentially inform you of a total blockage before it happens, here are a few ways to maintain it:

• Cabling / Snaking: This is the most common way to open a drain or sewer line. “Snaking” or “cabling” a drain or sewer line will open the line, but it won’t clean the drain. This is a red flag homeowners should watch out for when scheduling professional services! This is because many plumbing companies that advertise “Drain Cleaning” services will simply snake the drain to restore water flow without actually cleaning it. So, while cabling or snaking may provide a temporary fix, it’s best to supplement these methods with drain or sewer line cleaning services.
• Enzyme Treatment: Another effective way that homeowners can unclog their drain pipes is by using a drain cleaning tool like a Zip It to clean the pipe and maintaining it with an enzyme treatment. Enzyme treatments consist of living organic bacteria that feeds off biodegradable waste and turns it back into water, making them a better alternative to treatments that rely on harsh chemicals.

Keep Your Drain and Sewers Flowing Smoothly with Z PLUMBERZ

Since DIY plumbing fixes can only go so far, and may result in additional problems when done poorly, you can turn to Z PLUMBERZ for top-notch plumbing solutions that stand the test of time. Whether you have a clogged drain or sewer line or want to minimize the potential for clogs through preventative drain and sewer maintenance services, our master plumbers are here to help prevent small plumbing problems from escalating into larger, unpredictable issues down the line. Find a Z PLUMBERZ near you today!