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Whether they carry waste or water, nobody likes the idea of blocked drains. There is no hiding the situation. Clogged drains are just plain nasty and you don’t need a professional drain cleaning service provider to tell you so. Not only are clogged drains a huge inconvenience for the residents of Chattanooga, TN but they are downright disgusting with foul odors and swarming with bacteria.
And guess what? Blocked drains are a problem that each homeowner will face at least once in their lives if it is not sorted out soon. If there is an unchecked issue such as a blockage or pipes become compromised, you could end up with wastewater in your garden or home.
Below, we look at the most common causes of drain problems and what you can do to avoid them. So, let’s get started.
1. Flushing Inappropriate Items Down Toilets and Sinks
One of the most common causes of blockage is flushing things down into the drains that you really should not be doing. The biggest culprits are fats, hair, and wipes. These objects tend not to break down as toilet paper does. For this reason, they might accumulate in the drains eventually leading to blockages.
Fat also causes major draining problems since it solidifies in the drains when they come into contact with other materials in the drains. According to National Geographic, mountains of debris, grease, and fat are responsible for breaking pipes and blocking many drainages. In fact, an 800 ft long ‘fat berg’ was discovered in the East End neighborhood of Whitechapel.
What You Can Do:
Well, this one is really simple. Just don’t flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. And, remember to dispose of food waste and fats appropriately. Do this or you might have to call a drain cleaning provider sooner than later.
2. External Items Getting into the Drains
Drains getting blocked are not always your fault. According to most drain cleaning service experts, leaves, debris, and stone can fall down grates and fall into drains without your knowledge. Sometimes, people might block their drains by pouring things they shouldn’t down the drains such as paint. And eventually, like discussed above, this will lead to clogged drains.
What You Can Do:
There is also a simple fix to this problem. As a responsible homeowner in Chattanooga, TN, installing some drain covers over the grates will stop foreign objects from running down into the drains. Also, make it difficult for anyone to willingly pour something down there.
If your drains are already blocked, consider hiring a professional drain cleaning service in Chattanooga, TN to get your drains fixed.
3. Tree Roots
We all love trees. And if you are living in the normal Chattanooga, TN suburbs that we know and love, chances are that you might have a tree or two on your lawn or compound. And although trees are good for the environment, their roots can be devastating for your drainage.
Tree roots tend to expand over the years, and what may have been small roots when the pipes were being installed might end up interfering with the drainage to the point of damaging the system entirely. Roots might cause pipes to crack or leak, making the flow of water or waste impossible.
What You Can Do:
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do if you are not a drain cleaning expert in Chattanooga, TN. Tree roots are difficult to deal with, and it might be hard to know what is happening underground. The most you can do is to watch for tell-tale-signs such as cracks on the ground to identify intrusive roots.
If you start to notice such symptoms, then it may be worth calling a professional drain cleaning service provider to send a camera and check the pipes.
4. Pipe Structural Issues
Leaks and blockages can be caused by the pipes breaking down themselves. For example, fiberglass pipes can become compressed which reduces the size and stops water from flowing. On the other hand, terracotta pipes can be displaced or cracked and this reduces the size of the flow.
What You Can Do:
Again, since the problem is underground, there is not much a non-plumber can do. You need to call in a professional drain cleaning service provider in Chattanooga, TN to do a survey. Contacting a professional drain cleaning plumber is the better option compared to waiting until your house floods.
5. Blocked Drains from Heavy Rains and Storms
First off, drains are not really designed to take the full impact of heavy rains and water build-up which is common in many Chattanooga, TN households. Throughout the rainy season, drains experience floods of water because of heavy rainfall.
And when there is an overflow of rainwater, chances are that there is a blockage that needs to be cleared out by a professional drain cleaning provider.
What You Can Do:
For starters, ensure all gutters are clean during the dry season. This simple act prevents the build-up of leaves which causes bigger blockage. However, problems caused by storms and heavy rains will usually require a professional drain cleaning service plumber to help unclog and assist in wastewater removal.
If this is the case, contact a reliable drain cleaning provider in Chattanooga as soon as possible.
Signs of a Drainage Block You Need to Look Out For
In most cases, there will be indicators of a blockage before it turns into a major issue. These signs include:
- Water not draining properly
- Bad Odors coming from the sink and toilet
- Or small droplets of water coming from low lying parts of the house
Why Wait? Call the Drain Cleaning Service Experts
Unfortunately, a clogged drain will never fix itself. Not only will the problem worsen, but the process to fix it could become more complex and pricier. Once a professional drain cleaning provider identifies the root cause of the blockage, they will advise on the best solution.
At Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air, we are a team of certified drain cleaning service experts operating in Chattanooga, TN, and the surrounding areas. Our drain specialists are available 24 hours a day providing fast and professional drain cleaning for businesses and homeowners.
For a reliable and affordable drain cleaning service in Chattanooga, TN, contact us.