How often should you have drains professionally cleaned?

If you want to avoid nasty clogs, backups, and overflows in your home’s plumbing system, getting your drains professionally cleaned regularly is essential. But how often exactly should you be calling a plumber for preventative drain cleaning services?

While it’s possible to purchase drain cleaning chemicals and use things like plungers to temporarily clear simple clogs yourself, professional drain cleaning services are the best way to keep your drains clear and functioning properly. Plumbing contractors have specialized tools like augers, drain snakes, high-pressure water jets, and industrial vacuums. They also inspect your drains thoroughly and identify potential problems you are unaware of. Catching minor drain issues before they become major problems saves you money in the long run.

Professional drain technicians also clean your entire system, including parts difficult to reach on your own like main sewer lines. They remove tough grease, soap buildup, accumulated debris, and tree roots. By keeping drains free of accumulation, plumber Vaucluse prevents or minimize flooding damage, leaks, and blockages down the road. Protect your plumbing infrastructure with regular drain services.

Factors impacting drain cleaning frequency

How often you should schedule preventative drain cleaning services depends on several factors, including:

• Age of your home/plumbing system – Older drainage pipes are more susceptible to accumulation and damage. Old pipes need cleaning every year.
• Drainage pipe materials – Certain materials like cast iron are more prone to rust and debris buildup than modern PVC piping.
• Tree presence – Nearby trees invade exterior drainage lines with their roots. Root cutting is needed annually.
• Household size – Larger families and heavier usage strain plumbing and increase cleaning needs.
• Cooking habits – Frequent frying and oil-based cooking cause grease buildup in kitchen drains.
• Personal care routines – Long hair and soap scum easily clog bathroom sinks and tubs over time.
• Plumbing problems – Undiagnosed issues like slow leaks or cracks allow more debris to accumulate.
• Location factors – Temperature, soil conditions, groundwater levels, etc. Impact exterior drainage systems.

Recommended drain cleaning frequency by drain type

Based on typical household factors, here are general guidelines for how often different drains should be professionally cleaned:

• Kitchen sinks – Every 3-6 months is ideal, at minimum once per year. Grease and food debris accumulation is heavy in kitchen drains.
• Bathroom sinks/tubs – Once per year. Hair, soap scum, and skin/nail debris tend to collect over time.
• Main sewer line – Once per year. Clearing accumulation helps prevent clogs from reaching the municipal connection.
• Floor drains – Twice per year. Basement and garage floor drains are prone to debris buildup.
• Exterior drainage – Once per year. It includes downspouts and landscape drainage pipes/grates.
• Laundry drains – Once per year. Lint and debris from washing machines need special attention.
• Shower/tub – Once per year. Modern bathrooms with ceramic tile often have long drain assemblies requiring cleaning.