Plumbers recommend scheduling drain maintenance at least once each year. During these services, plumbers carefully inspect drainpipes and pipe connections. They look for blockages, corrosion, leaks and more. They finish routine drain maintenance with professional drain cleaning. Noninvasive sewer line cameras, waste flow monitors, clog detectors, and hydro-jetting or rooter machines make professional drain maintenance far more effective than DIY drain care. Read on to find out why professional drain maintenance is more important than you think.

Avoid Pervasive Drain Odors

Much of what goes down your drains leaves greasy or tacky residues on interior pipe walls. Over time, drains can develop heavy buildups of soap scum, body hair, grease and general food debris. As this organic waste breaks down, it becomes home to odor-causing bacteria and other microorganisms. Regular drain cleaning removes this waste and keeps drains smelling fresh.

Prevent Rising Humidity and Mold Problems

Buildups of trapped waste can cause far more problems than pervasive drain odors. They can also diminish overall drain functionality. If you’ve never scheduled professional drain cleaning before, you likely have slow-moving and clog-prone drains throughout your home.

Slow-moving and clogged drains add considerable humidity to indoor air. As trapped moisture evaporates, your living space will feel increasingly clammy or muggy. If left unchecked, drain-related increases in humidity could create the perfect conditions for mildew and mold growth.

Eliminate Dangerous Biofilms

The odor-causing bacteria that live in drains and feed on drain waste encase themselves in an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). This coating acts as a shield that can make bacteria up to 1,000 times more resistant to bleach, ammonia and other sanitizing agents. Also known as biofilms, these in-drain communities of microorganisms can include viruses, fungi and parasites too. Worse still, if your dirty drains are slow-moving, there’s a good chance that biofilms are regularly entering your bathtubs, shower pans and sinks.

Expedite or Simplify Claims

While home insurance policies don’t explicitly require drain maintenance, proof that you have scheduled it could expedite or simplify future plumbing-related claims. A history of regular drain cleaning will show that you’ve done your due diligence to ensure that your plumbing system remains problem-free.

Protect Residents’ Health

Drain cleaning is the best way to flush out dangerous biofilms; prevent moisture-related mold infestations; and maintain a healthy, comfortable home. With regular drain cleaning, you can protect your indoor air quality (IAQ) and worry far less when people drop and retrieve edible items from your sinks.

Prevent Whole-House Backups

Dirty, slow-moving drains can lead to clogged sewer pipes. When sewer lines develop blockages due to heavy buildups of waste, effluence can come rushing back into homes. Professional drain cleaning will clear your pipes from your drains to the municipal sewer main. These services also allow plumbers to detect and address developing sewer line issues early on.

Avoid Attracting Pests

Slow-moving and malodorous drains can attract cockroaches, silverfish, fruit flies and rodents. With professional drain maintenance, you can avoid or eliminate drain gnat infestations and prevent other pest problems.

Professional drain maintenance will limit your risk of costly plumbing repairs. It can also extend the lifespans of your drains, pipes and sewer line. Give Kyle Plumbing in Deerfield Beach, FL a call if you want to schedule drain cleaning services.