Many homeowners aren’t aware that regular, professional drain cleaning services should be part of the home maintenance routine. If you have been skipping drain and pipe cleaning regularly, then you may be surprised to learn about the benefits. Professional drain cleaner services in Elmhurst, IL can improve the functioning of your plumbing and help you avoid major issues in the future. Here is what you need to know.

Reduce Sewer Blockages

Over time, blockages can build up in drains and pipes that haven’t been cleaned regularly. Although small blockages, such as slow drains in the shower caused by hair, may be easy to fix on your own, a more serious blockage could be developing inside of your drain pipes that could cause serious sewer problems. When that occurs, all of the drains in your home may clog, water may spurt out of your drains when you flush the toilet, and eventually, and overflow or burst pipes can cause significant damage to your home.

Prevent Foul Odors

Without the periodic service of a professional drain cleaner, mold and bacteria will accumulate in your drains and cause odors. The flow of water through the drains and pipes from normal usage is not sufficient to clean away the odor-causing particles, which thrive in the damp, dark environment of your drains and pipes. These bacteria and mold can even make your family sick if they grow in large enough numbers. Regular drain cleaning will remove them completely, preventing odors and the potential for illness.

Protect Your Home from Damage

When drains and pipes aren’t cleaned, small blockages turn into large ones, pipes can become corroded, and backflow can occur from your toilet. The water that will spill into your home if this occurs is waste water which not only causes water damage, but also allows dangerous bacteria to seep into your walls and flooring. To repair this kind of damage, all of the affected areas must typically be removed, which can be extremely costly and time consuming.

To avoid clogged drains near Elmhurst, it is best to keep a plunger in the house. You can use a plunger to clear most drains before needing to call for plumbing services. However, the more extensive the clog or pipe repair becomes, the more it becomes necessary to call your plumber for professional plumbing services .

Watch the short video for more information on how to keep your drains clear of clogs. If you have a clog in your sink or bathtub, you can use your plunger to try to remove it. Be sure you have water in the sink or tub to give the plunger a good seal around the drain. When you run your garbage disposal, you should always have water running in the system. Cold water should be used while running the disposal, and then turn it to hot to help wash the food remains down the drain.

Any chef will tell you that the kitchen sink is an extremely important fixture. It’s essential for drinking water, washing, and disposing of certain liquids. When the kitchen sink starts draining slowly or stops draining completely, it can be a huge deal. The best thing to do in this situation is to call an experienced Elmhurst plumbing professional and avoid chemical drain cleaners. In an ideal world, of course, you would prevent the clog from happening in the first place. Here are a few of the most common causes of kitchen sink clogs.

Hardened Grease

Life would be so much easier if it were okay to flush cooking grease down the drain. Unfortunately, it simply isn’t. Though grease may be a liquid when it’s hot, it turns solid when it cools. If you send hot grease down the drain, it will be a matter of minutes before it cools and hardens, which could lead to a blockage. The best way to dispose of hot grease is to pour it into a can in your kitchen, then throw that can into the garbage once it’s full.

Coffee Grounds and Eggshells

If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, you might be more inclined to send more substantial items down it. However, even the most advanced garbage disposals aren’t equipped to handle things like coffee grounds and eggshells. These items can cause a clog in your kitchen drain, or at the very least damage your garbage disposal. To get rid of eggshells and coffee grains, either put them in the compost or throw them in the garbage.

Other Food Debris

Depending on the complexity of your meals, cooking can be a hectic endeavor. You may find yourself so busy with broiling and sautéing that you don’t pay too much attention to what’s going down your drain. Small food particles are generally fine, but larger pieces of food can cause real problems. The best way to prevent this is to install a drain guard , which should catch larger food pieces.