For those of you who are familiar with our plumbing business, you may know that we offer residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services. While each of these different departments have their own unique qualities, the main logic behind a properly-functioning plumbing system holds true across the board! With that being the case, we typically utilize our plumbing blog as a place with resources about plumbing, in general, as well as items that apply specifically to each of the departments listed above. With this week’s blog post, we’ll be taking a look at a service that is likely quite common for many plumbing companies around the world and that happens to be drain cleaning. While the idea around drain cleaning is fairly straightforward, there is definitely value in hiring a plumbing professional with the necessary experience and equipment needed to successfully clean a drain.

So…with that all being said, why is drain cleaning such an important plumbing service? Well, that can be summed up in a few different ways. For one, it’s important simply as a way to keep your drain lines running efficiently and prevent future headaches. No matter if you’re talking about a sink drain, tub drain or anything else, it’s not difficult to see how blockages can start to form due to the many different things that go down them. Hair, debris, dirt, soap scum, food particles, the list goes on! Over time, these items can result in drains running much slower than normal and can gradually start to create more serious problems.

Is drain cleaning considered a maintenance task?

When it comes to plumbing problems, I think most homeowners and facility managers would like to limit them to as few as possible, right? After all, you probably have other things that you would rather spend your money on! Given that most people would likely agree with that statement, there’s a reason why we always encourage regular maintenance when managing your plumbing system. Consistent maintenance will be your best friend as you try to keep everything in your plumbing system operating effectively and efficiently (without issues). With this being the case, we often feature maintenance tasks that anyone can implement. A water heater flush is an easy example of that, as it will help your water heater withstand the daily wear and tear, thus getting you the best return on your investment.

With this blog post being all about drain cleaning, you might wonder if drain cleaning falls in this category of important plumbing maintenance items. The answer to that is YES! Managing your plumbing system in a proactive manner, rather than a reactive one, is always a good idea. This includes your drain lines, where you can stay ahead of the game, as opposed to waiting for a serious clog/blockage to build up before taking action!

What factors make up a professional drain cleaning technician?

When you look at a plumbing system, you’ll notice that each of the components are seemingly intertwined by means of water lines, drain lines and so on. No surprises there, right? Being a homeowner or facility manager, when it comes time to hire a local plumbing company, you’re going to want to make sure they’re proficient in each of the different areas making up a complete plumbing system. After all, it’s impossible to predict where the issues might arise. Given that drain lines are obviously a key part of any plumbing system, it’s definitely important to know that they’re adept at cleaning drains. So…what qualities make up a professional drain cleaning technician?

Well, that question can be summed up into two parts. First and foremost, experience is critical when discussing drain cleaning. As can be said about any plumbing project, experience helps ensure you know all of the proper practices and can troubleshoot around any unique situations. The second part of the equation involves having the proper equipment and tools. Combining years of experience and professional equipment is the perfect recipe for a professional drain cleaning technician!

What if there is an issue with the main sewer line?

Problems with drain lines and/or sewer lines can vary in terms of severity. Sometimes, they can be resolved with some standard drain cleaning. However, if there is a break in the line, additional work will likely be required. A drain line repair is fairly straightforward. However, what if you’re told that there is a break in the sewer line? Given that sewer lines are buried more than a few feet underground, it’s not difficult to see how this could be a complex project! Before you commit to this project though, how can you ensure it is truly needed? The best resource for that question is to get an inside look at what is going on in the actual line and with the help of sewer line inspection cameras, you can do just that! This will allow you to see the actual issue in-person and also ensure your plumber can locate where the problem resides. All in all, it’s always a smart move to have a sewer line inspection completed prior to embarking on a sewer line repair or replacement.

Should I be concerned if one drain starts to run slower than normal?

If you were to break down plumbing issues into particular categories, it would be fairly easy to do so. There are the emergency situations that require immediate service. There are the routine maintenance items designed to keep everything running properly. There are the small repairs that will simply arise due to the daily wear and tear, some of which are more time-sensitive than others. There are the large projects that are sometimes done out of necessity and other times by choice. Depending on the severity of a clogged drain or mainline, you could find it listed in a few different places. A collapsed sewer line would likely be considered an emergency. However, what should be the reaction when a specific drain is running slower than normal? Given that you can probably avoid using a particular fixture for a day or so, this wouldn’t necessarily be considered an emergency. Remember though, this isn’t something you want to completely put on the backburner either! We understand that it’s easy to procrastinate on getting it fixed, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the issue will likely get worse before it gets better! Long story short, if you ever have a drain that runs much slower than normal, it’s certainly worth having a plumbing professional take a look.

Reliable Sewer and Drain Cleaning Services in Kansas City

Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, sewer and drain cleaning are services that our team provides regularly throughout the year, both on the residential and commercial side of things. Throughout this week’s blog post, we discussed a few different items that you’ll want to take into account when it comes to sewer and/or drain cleaning. We hope you learned a thing or two about these key plumbing services and will feel more confident the next time you need to hire a local plumbing company for a sewer or drain cleaning service.

Do you live in or near the Kansas City area and need a plumber for sewer or drain cleaning? We would be more than happy to help out! To learn more, we encourage you to either fill out the form HERE or give us a call at (816) 348-3481.