When you hear the words “plumbing problem,” one of the first things likely to come to mind is a drain clog. This is, after all, the most common type of plumbing problem there is among homeowners. Almost everyone has run into one at some point or another.
Now, when you actually have a drain clog, your instinct is probably to reach for a bottle of store-bought drain cleaner. We really want to encourage you not to do this however. It can actually do more harm than good to your drains, and leave you with pinhole leaks or worse. When you do have a drain clog, call on our team to handle it professionally, and keep your plumbing system functional and efficient.
Read on for some signs you have a drain clog, what’s could be causing it, and what to do about it.
Foul Odors Coming from the Drains
Do you detect yucky smells coming up from your sink drains? Don’t ignore this, especially if it’s coming from multiple drains or from your kitchen sink.
Multiple drains means you may have a sewer line backup. The most common culprit for this is actually tree root infiltration, and the best way to get rid of this problem is with professional hydro-jetting. Prevenint this issue means ensuring your pipes are on the newer side and not likely to develop leaks, and also planning your landscaping around where your plumbing pipes are buried.
A smelly kitchen sink drain may mean you have FOG that has collected and hardened inside the drainpipe.
What’s FOG? This stands for fats, oils, and grease. FOG is the byproduct of cooking, and while it is liquid while it is hot, as it cools down it congeals and sticks to the sides of your drainpipe. This is going to eventually create a backup, plus it’ll likely show symptoms in the form of a smelly drain.
The best way to avoid this particular problem is by pouring FOG into a disposable container, waiting for it to harden, then throwing it in a trash can.
Slow Bathroom Drains
Have you noticed slow drains in your bathroom? The most common culprit for this is hair and/or soap scum buildup.
Hair doesn’t seem like it would cause that much trouble, right? Unfortunately, though, it can get easily trapped in the p-trap, which is the curved section of drainpipe under your sink. This traps more hair and soon becomes a snarl that creates a tough blockage.
As for soap scum, this seems unavoidable. But it actually is preventable! Soap scum tends to develop faster and more often when you have hard water–that is, water with a high level of minerals in it–namely calcium, magnesium, and even iron. These minerals prevent the soap scum from breaking down as it otherwise would.
The best solution for this is to talk to our pros about installing a whole-house water softener. This will help with not only the soap scum issue, but will improve your quality o life with healthier and less problematic water.
You can also prevent the buildup of hair and soap scum by getting a drain cover or drain screen.
Contact Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration to get in touch with a quality plumber in Santa Fe, NM.
