Cleaning your drains on a regular basis is about more than keeping the water flowing at a normal rate. If you notice that the water is not going down immediately, or there is a backup in the pipe you can see, your drains are definitely in need of a good cleaning. However, even if you are not having any trouble at all with the water leaving your home, you should still clean the drains regularly. Here are just a few of the reasons this should be on your monthly chore list.

Prevent Clogs

Any grease, even the small amount left on the pan or plates after scraping, can stick to the sides of the pipes. Once there, it will attract and hold hairs, food particles, and other debris that goes down the drain. Together, they form a clog. It may start out as something that doesn't affect water flow at all, but it will continue to grow into something that does. Cleaning your drains regularly is a good way to stop even small clogs from forming.

Bacteria Growth

Even small amounts of collected debris can be a place for bacteria and germs to hide and multiply. These pose a health hazard to your family. If you are wondering why a cold or the flu keeps going around our family, it could be due to hidden germs that are spreading from your drains.  Take a few minutes and flush all the drains in your home with a bleach and hot water solution to kill anything that may be lingering down there.

Pipe Damage

Almost anything that goes down your drains, including the water if it is hard and laden with minerals, and many chemicals, can cause the metal in the pipes to start to break down. If the buildup has created a clog, you risk having the pipes crack or burst. Regular cleaning is a good way to ensure your pipes stay in good condition.

There are a number of simple things you can do to clean the pipes, including the above-mentioned hot water and bleach solution. You can use baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. If you want to have your drains smelling fresh, use lemon juice in place of the vinegar. To be extra safe, and have the whole system cleaned out, it is recommended that you have professional pipe cleaning services done every 18 to 22 months. This will take care of any problems deep in the lines and can let you know if you have roots that are growing into them. Contact a company like Electric Eel Sewer & Drains Specialists for more info.   

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