Posted by It is common for homeowners to experience clogged drains now and then, requiring the assistance of a plumber in Fairfax, VA. Unfortunately, clogs are not a minor inconvenience, as many people often perceive them to be. Clogs blocking your drains cause severe issues to your plumbing system. The issues affect your system’s functionality and cost you a lot of money in repair and replacement.
Here are a few examples of how clogs can harm your entire plumbing system:
Structural Damage
Clogs can cause significant structural damage to your plumbing system. When drains get blocked, the water is forced to flow backward, creating unnecessary pressure that can burst pipes or disconnect joints and seals. Consequently, structural damage to your plumbing system can result in leaks, leading to severe water damage and high water bills. The damage can also cut off your water supply.
Slow Drainage
Did you know clogs can affect your entire plumbing system by causing slow drainage issues? A clog in your plumbing system chokes your pipes and prevents water from flowing freely. The detriment will display itself in the form of slow drainage of your sinks.
Gurgling Noises
Clogs in your pipes can also make your plumbing system generate strange gurgling noises. Blockages in your plumbing unit can block air from flowing freely through the pipes. When water flows through the trapped air, it will form gas bubbles that will produce gurgling noises.
Foul Smells
Your plumbing system can become smelly as a result of clogs in your pipe. A clog in the pipe usually comprises food scraps, hair, soap scum, and other debris. After some time, bacteria can start forming on the clog. The growth will result in nasty drain smells that will circulate in your home and make staying indoors unbearable.
Pest Infestation
Clogs will also affect your whole plumbing system by attracting pests. Blocked drains provide suitable breeding and gathering sites for pesky pests. Besides being dangerous to your plumbing system, these critters can damage other parts of your home and pose serious health risks.
Ways to Prevent Clogs
Preventing clogs is critical to avoiding adverse effects on your plumbing system. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent clogs.
Install Screens
To effectively prevent clogs in your property, installing filters and other kinds of screens on every drain is essential. The screens will catch hair, scraps of food, and other debris, preventing them from entering and blocking your pipes.
Eliminate Grease
Avoid pouring cooking oil and other substances containing grease into your drains. While the substances might be liquid when you pour them down the drains, they can solidify as their temperature decreases and get stuck in the pipes.
Use Your Toilet Responsibly
Using your toilet correctly is vital to preventing clogs in your plumbing system. Only flush waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Do not flush things like paper towels, wet wipes, and condoms. These items cannot be broken down by water and will likely cause clogs in your system.
Install a Garbage Disposal
Getting a garbage disposal if you do not have one can go a long way in preventing clogs. When installed under your sink, the equipment will collect food scraps from your sink and grind them into small chunks. Nevertheless, avoid putting particular waste into the equipment, including banana peels, coffee grounds, and egg shells, as they can damage your disposal’s blades.
Your Reliable Plumbing Experts
When you need help with a clogged drain or any other plumbing issues, Pipe Doctor Plumbing & Drain is the company to contact. Besides drain cleaning, our local plumbing business specializes in water heater repair, trenchless pipe repair, sewer repair, pipe lining, and more. Each plumber in Fairfax, VA, receives continuous training to stay updated on the current and most effective plumbing techniques to guarantee customer satisfaction. We offer fair, upfront pricing before we start the job to let you know what you will pay after the service.