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Cleaning Drains and Drain Clogs

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Melbourne Plumber

There are numerous products on the market to help clean drains. At any home improvement store you can find liquid drain cleaner, plungers, and plumber’s snakes. All of these items can help to clear clogged drains, when the clog is something that is manageable. It’s important to remember that when you’re attempting to unclog a pipe to not put too much pressure on it, as they can only withstand so much prodding and pressure. If you accidentally break a pipe while trying to unclog it, drain cleaning is going to be the last thing you need to worry about. You’ll have to call in a plumber for emergency service, which can be costly.

When to Call in a Professional

Unless you know of something that has gone down one of the pipes which shouldn’t have, most clogs in Melbourne, Florida occur over time. You might first notice a bathroom sink draining slower than normal or even the shower basin not draining as fast as it used to. This is usually the first sign of a problem. If you have a stubborn clog which you can’t easily get cleared out, you should call in a professional plumber. In general, the earlier you call in a professional the easier it will be for them to fix the problem.

Drain Cleaning Around the House

Kitchen sinks can also be the source of clogs. Garbage disposals come in a variety of units with different horse power, so if you don’t have one that is powerful enough for things you’re trying to dispose of, it can cause it to clog. If this happens frequently, you can always hire a licensed plumber to install a new garbage disposal which will better fit your needs. Kitchen sinks can also get clogged by putting the wrong items down them, such as grease and cooked pasta. When grease is hot it is in liquid form, but when you put it down a drain, it begins to cool off, turning back into a solid which can cause blockage. Cooked pasta gets very sticky after it has been cooked and can actually begin to stick to the pipes, so always be careful what you throw down the disposal.

The new energy efficient toilets that use less water are great until you realize how much less toilet paper they can flush. Kids (and some adults) who aren’t used to them may throw too much toilet paper down them, resulting in a clog. Drain cleaning can help with all of these issues, and a licensed plumber will be able to clean your drains and have you up and running in no time.

Drains You Might Not Even Think About

Another time you may have to call a plumber in is if any floor drains are clogging up. These can clog frequently because they are usually used for things such as water heaters, washing machines, and air conditioners. These appliances can release things other than water, such as a water heater that has excess sediment in it or a washing machine’s excess soap. These can cause the clogs to happen more often, resulting in necessary drain cleaning.

So when you’re unable to tackle the clog yourself, it’s time to call in a professional licensed plumber. Not only will they know the easiest and fastest way to unclog your drains, they will be able to tell you how to avoid the problem in the future.