Complete Guide to Drain Cleaning in Virginia

A system of pipes and fittings known as a drain is used to remove sewage and other liquid waste from homes and other structures. To ensure the health and safety of the occupants of a building, drains are an essential part of any plumbing system.

Most appliances, including sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines, have drains. Feces and other liquid wastes are flushed out of these devices during use and enter the main sewers through the drain pipes. The wastewater is then sent to a sewage treatment plant, where it is treated and disposed of.

Dirt such as hair, grease and food particles can clog drains. This situation prevents sewage from moving easily through the pipes, resulting in slow drains or stagnant water. The plumbing system can work more efficiently and clogs can be avoided with routine drain cleaning.

Why Should it be Cleaned ?

Drains must be cleaned regularly to prevent clogging and to maintain the health and safety of a building’s occupants.

Here are some reasons why drains need cleaning:

1. Prevents Clogs: Over time, debris such as hair, food particles, and grease can build up in drains and cause clogs. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent these clogs in the first place.
2. Reduces Bad Odors: Clogged drains can lead to bad smells that can spread throughout the home. Regular drain cleaning can help reduce these odors by eliminating the source of the clog.
3. Maintains the Plumbing System: Regular drain cleaning can help keep the plumbing system healthy by removing buildup and preventing pipe damage.
4. Saves Money: Regular drain cleaning can help avoid costly repairs by catching problems early and preventing major clogs or pipe damage.
5. Improves Water Flow: Clogs can impede water flow in drains, resulting in slow drains or stagnant water. Regular drain cleaning can help improve water flow and prevent standing water build-up.
6. PREVENTS HEALTH HAZARDS: Clogged drains can harbor bacteria and other pathogens that can pose a health risk to you and your family. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent these health risks by removing the source of the clog.

How often should you Clean Drains ?

The number of people in your home, the age of your plumbing system, and the type of drains you have are all variables that affect how often you should clean your drains. For preventative maintenance, it’s generally a good idea to clean your drains every year or two.

However, it may be necessary to clear your drains more quickly if you experience sluggish drains, unpleasant odors or gurgling. Also, you may need to clean your drains more frequently if you have an older plumbing system or live in a hard water area.

Your plumbing system runs more efficiently and clogs can be avoided with routine drain maintenance. Using drain strainers to catch hair and other debris, avoiding throwing non-biodegradable items down the drain, and not pouring grease or oil down the sink are some tips for keeping drains clean.

A qualified plumber can assess your particular situation and offer tips for maintaining clean, healthy drains if you are unsure of how often to clean your drains.

Why Drain Cleaning is Important ?

Unlocking is important for several reasons:

1. Prevents Clogs: Over time, debris such as hair, food particles, and grease can build up in drains and cause clogs. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent these clogs in the first place.
2. Reduces Bad Odors: Clogged drains can lead to bad smells that can spread throughout the home. Regular drain cleaning can help reduce these odors by eliminating the source of the clog.
3. Maintains the Plumbing System: Regular drain cleaning can help keep the plumbing system healthy by removing buildup and preventing pipe damage.
4. Saves Money: Regular drain cleaning can help avoid costly repairs by catching problems early and preventing major clogs or pipe damage.
5. Improves Water Flow: Clogs can impede water flow in drains, resulting in slow drains or stagnant water. Regular drain cleaning can help improve water flow and prevent standing water build-up.
6. PREVENTS HEALTH HAZARDS: Clogged drains can harbor bacteria and other pathogens that can pose a health risk to you and your family. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent these health risks by removing the source of the clog.

In summary, regular drain cleaning is important to prevent clogs, reduce odors, maintain plumbing, save money, improve water flow, and prevent health hazards.

Drain Cleaning Costs

The cost of drain cleaning can vary depending on several factors such as the location of the clog, the severity of the clog and the type of drain cleaning service required. Here are some estimates of drain cleaning costs:

• Plungers: Plungers can be purchased at most hardware stores for just a few dollars.
• Drainage Snake or Auger: Manual drainage snakes or augers can cost anywhere from $10 to $50, while motorized drainage snakes can cost several hundred dollars. Some hardware stores may offer drain snake rental options.
•  
• Waterjet: Waterjet services can cost anywhere from $250 to $500 depending on the location of the clog and the size of the piping system.
• Chemical drain cleaner: Chemical drain cleaners can be purchased for as little as $5 to $10, while professional drain cleaners can range from $50 to $100.
• Professional Plumber: The cost of a professional plumber to clean a drain can range from $100 to $500, depending on the severity of the clog and the location of the plumbing system.

It is important to note that prices may vary by region and specific service provider. In addition, it is important to choose a reputable local plumber to ensure the job is done correctly and to avoid damage to the plumbing system.

Some Drain Cleaning Ideas

Here are some drain cleaning ideas:

• Use a Plunger: A plunger is a simple and effective tool that can be used to unclog sinks, toilets and showers.
• Try a drain snake or auger: A drain snake or auger can be used to clear clogs that are too stubborn for a plunger. These tools can break through and remove clogs caused by hair, grease, and other debris.
• Use a water jet: A water jet is a powerful tool that uses high-pressure water to unclog drains. This tool is best used by professional plumbers.
• Use a chemical opener: Chemical openers can be effective at clearing clogs and clogs, but they should be used with caution as they contain harsh chemicals.
• Try a Homemade Drain Cleaner: You can make a homemade drain cleaner using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. These natural cleansers can be effective in removing mild clogs and preventing future ones.
• Use a drain strainer: Use a drain strainer to prevent hair, food particles, and other debris from going down the drain in the first place. This can prevent blockages from forming.
• Schedule regular drain maintenance: Regular drain maintenance can help prevent clogs from forming in the first place. This may include flushing the drains with hot water, using a natural drain cleaner, and having a professional plumber inspect the plumbing system.

Drain Cleaning Tools and Their Usage

• Plunger: A plunger is a simple but effective tool for unclogging a drain. It works by creating suction and pressure to release the blockage. Place the plunger over the drain and make vigorous swipes up and down several times to create suction and push the clog through.
• Drain Snake: A drain snake is a long, flexible wire with a spiral tip that can be inserted down a drain to break up and clear clogs. Insert the tip of the drain snake into the drain and twist the handle to rotate the snake and clear the blockage. Shoot the snake to remove the blockage.
• Drain Auger: A drain auger is similar to a drain snake, but has a motorized auger that rotates the wire, making it easier to clear stubborn clogs. Insert the auger into the drain and use the auger to twist the wire and unclog the blockage. Pull the auger to unclog it.
• Hydro Jet: A hydro jet uses high-pressure water to clear clogged drains. It is a powerful tool that is widely used by professional plumbers. Insert the Hydrojet into the drain and turn on the water to clear the clog.
• Chemical plunger: Chemical plunger contains powerful chemicals that can unclog drains. However, they can also damage pipes and should be used with caution. Pour the chemical opener down the drain and wait for it to clear the clog. Flush the drain with water after use.

Plunger

Unclogging drains is made simple and frequently done with a plunger. It consists of a pole and a rubber cup. To clear the drain, pistons generate pressure and suction.

Make sure there is enough water in the tub or sink to completely submerge the rubber cup before using a plunger. After that, position the plunger over the drain and apply strong pressure to close it. Several times, firmly push and pull the plunger up and down to generate suction and pressure. Remove the plunger after a few dives to check that the water is flowing freely. Until the drain is clear, repeat the procedure.

It’s crucial to remember that plungers are most effective for clearing shallow obstructions like those brought on by hair or soap scum. For more difficult blockages or those brought on by things lodged in the drain, they might not work as well. A different kind of drain cleaning instrument might be necessary in these situations.

Drain Snake

A long, flexible wire with a spiral tip is a drain snake, also known as a pipe snake or drain auger, and it can be used to break up and unclog drains. It is a gadget that plumbers and homeowners frequently utilize.

The tip of the drain snake should be inserted into the drain before usage. To spin the thread and unblock the obstruction, turn the handle on the snake’s opposite end. In order to pull back the wire and remove any debris that may have become lodged on the tip, twist the handle in the other way if you encounter resistance. Once the obstruction has been removed, remove the debris by pulling the snake from the drain.

It’s vital to remember that there are many sizes and lengths of drain snakes, so pick the appropriate one for your drain. Moreover, take caution not to insert the snake too deeply down the drain as this could harm the pipes. Your best option is to consult a licensed plumber if you don’t feel comfortable using a drain snake or if the obstruction is very difficult to remove.

Drain Auger

An equipment that resembles a drain snake is a drain auger, commonly referred to as a plumbing auger. To break up and unclog drains, it comprises a long, flexible wire with a spiral tip.

It is simpler to unclog hard blockages with a drain auger than a manual drain snake since it features a motorized auger that rotates the cable. When using a drain auger, place the cord’s end into the drain and activate the auger to rotate the cord and remove the obstruction. If you encounter resistance, stop the auger and switch the cord’s direction to remove any possible tangles of debris on the tip. After you’ve removed the obstruction, stop using the auger and remove the drain’s power cord to clear the debris.

It’s vital to remember that there are many sizes and lengths of drain plugs, so pick the appropriate one for your drain. Moreover, take caution not to insert the auger too deeply into the drain as this could harm the pipes. Your best option is to call a licensed plumber if using an auger drain makes you uncomfortable or if the obstruction is very difficult to clear.

Hydro Jet

A hydrojet is a strong device that unclogs drains by using high pressure water. Professional plumbers frequently use it to clear out difficult drain obstructions.

Before using a water jet, place the nozzle into the drain. To create high-pressure water jets that remove the clog, turn on the water. The hydraulic jet’s pressure, which may reach 4,000 psi, can readily cut through tenacious clogs made of grease, hair, soap, and other debris. To make sure that every part of the drain is fully cleaned, move the nozzle back and forth. Turn off the water and remove the stream of water from the drain when the clog has been freed.

Water jets are strong tools, thus it’s necessary to practice caution when using them. It’s advisable to engage a qualified plumber to operate a water jet because improper use might harm pipes or result in injury. Hydrojets are also not advised for use with weakened or broken pipelines or with older plumbing systems.

Chemical Drain Cleaner

Pouring a solution down a drain in order to dissolve and clear obstructions is known as a chemical drain cleaning. The majority of hardware and hardware stores carry them, and homeowners can use them to clear drains.

First, clear the drain of any standing water before using a chemical drain cleaner. Finally, after pouring the prescribed amount of cleaner down the drain, wait the advised amount of time—usually 15 to 30 minutes—before flushing the cleaner. The clog will be removed by running water after the solvent dissolves it. After the advised amount of time has elapsed, flush the drain with warm water to get rid of any leftover debris.

It’s crucial to remember that chemical drain cleaners may be dangerous if misused. When using them, it’s crucial to use gloves and eye protection because they contain harsh chemicals that could irritate skin and eyes. Chemical drain cleaners should only be used with caution because they can harm weaker or older pipes. Your best option is to call a licensed plumber like Wisler Plumbing & Air if the blockage is very difficult to remove or your plumbing system is older.