Spring cleaning isn’t just about washing windows and cleaning out closets. It’s also an opportunity to protect some of your most important home systems, including the drain and sewer line that carries away wastewater from your home. Find out more about drain cleaning and sewer line habits every homeowner should add to their spring cleaning checklist.
Clear Debris From Outdoor Drains and Gutters
Spring thunderstorms and showers may help flowers and trees bloom when the time comes, but they also have the potential to wreak havoc on outdoor drains. These potentially harsh weather conditions make it important to clean dirt, twigs, and leaves out of your gutters.
Clogged exterior drains and gutters can force water back toward the home, placing additional strain on underground plumbing. Regular cleanup helps water flow away from the property and reduces the risk of backups during storms, especially when heavy rains add extra pressure to your drainage system and sewer line.
Be Careful About What Goes Down the Kitchen Sink
Being careful about what you put into your kitchen drains isn’t just a springtime concept. Instead, vigilance should be a year-round habit. Even if you have a garbage disposal, avoid putting coffee grounds, bones, and fibrous materials down your sink. Grease, which may be in liquid form when you pour it down the drain, can quickly turn into a thick, solid material that causes clogs. Over time, these clogs catch more debris. Eventually, heavy clogs can place strain on your pipes, especially if they form near connections or move deeper into the main sewer line.
Flush Bathroom Drains to Remove Buildup
While extensive drain cleaning should be left to the professionals, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to flush your drains. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, as they can actually break down your pipes from the inside.
Simple drain flushing helps clear out minor buildup before it has the chance to collect deeper in your plumbing system. While this won’t fix a major sewer line blockage, it is a helpful part of a larger spring cleaning maintenance routine.
Inspect for Slow Drains and Early Warning Signs
Drains typically don’t clog instantly. Instead, they present some warning signs that water isn’t moving as smoothly as you need it to. If you notice that the water in your shower takes longer to drain out, or that water stands in your bathroom sinks for a few seconds, it’s safe to assume you have a clog.
During spring cleaning, take the time to evaluate all of the drains in your home, especially in areas that don’t get a lot of use. While you may assume that these areas aren’t prone to clogs, that’s not always the case. Let water run in showers, tubs, and sinks that aren’t used frequently, and make sure that they’re draining at a normal speed.
If several of your drains throughout your home are slowing down at the same time, the issue is likely farther down in the sewer line, rather than isolated to one fixture.
Schedule Preventative Professional Drain Cleaning
Professional drain cleaning is one of the most effective ways to keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly. By using specialized tools and proven processes, plumbers can remove clogs, help extend the lifespan of your pipes, and identify signs of deeper sewer line problems before they turn into stubborn backups. When springtime comes, and you’re checking off your to-do list, don’t forget your drains.
Contact Always Plumbing today to schedule preventative drain cleaning and keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly this spring.