4 Variables That Affect How Much Drain Maintenance and Repairs You Need

websitebuilder • September 20, 2019

Drain Maintenance — Sink Drain in Clearwater, FL

As a homeowner, you know that every home system needs maintenance from time to time. And if you neglect that maintenance, you're more likely to need expensive repairs. But sometimes, the amount and frequency of the maintenance needed can vary a bit.

For example, if you take great care of your plumbing drains, they may not need professional cleaning as often. Here are some variables that could affect how often your drains need maintenance.

1. Drain Screens

The more likely your drains are to clog, the more often they'll slow down and need cleaning. One easy way to keep debris out of your drain is to use a mesh screen at each entrance to the drainage system. The finer the mesh, the more debris it will catch. (Keep in mind that smaller mesh may drain more slowly because it forces water through small holes.)

Your bathtub, showers, and kitchen sink are the most important spots for drain screens, but any bathroom and laundry room sinks are important as well. Mesh screens are quite inexpensive and can effective. They can help catch hair and food scraps and reduce the chances of drain slowing or blockage, which in turn reduces how many drain cleanings you need.

2. Soap Scum

Soap scum can contribute to a drain clog, especially in the bathroom sink and the shower or bathtub. If you use bar soap in the shower and bath, you can try cleaners that cut through soap scum. But that may work better for your bathtub than for your drains; plumbers don't recommend harsh chemical cleaners for your drains.

Another option to reduce soap scum in your drains is to consider switching to a product such as a body wash or shower gel. Liquid body wash and shower gel are often less likely to cause buildup in your drains.

Often, body wash and shower gel technically contain a type of detergent rather than an actual soap product. This doesn't mean body wash is a harsh product like laundry detergent; this just means that it doesn't contain fats that will congeal in your drain.

3. Kitchen Disposal Use

The garbage disposal in your kitchen sink is another thing you need to keep in mind about drain maintenance. The garbage disposal is designed to grind up food scraps so that they won't clog drains. However, that's only the case if you use the disposal according to manufacturer recommendations.

If you use the disposal incorrectly (such as by jamming it too full or not using enough water with it), you could still end up with drain problems such as unpleasant odors or slow drains. Pouring grease, oils, and other fats down the drain can have a similar effect. Fats can congeal on the sides of the drain and cause slowing.

4. Drain Age

An older plumbing system is likely to clog easily. The system may have odd bends in the pipes, tree roots that grow through the pipes, and even pipes partially blocked by buildup. If your drains are older, you may need to baby them along with frequent professional maintenance as well as careful use and home care.

These are just a few of the factors that can come into play when determining how often you'll need professional drain maintenance. As you can see, taking a few simple steps to avoid buildup in your drains can help reduce your plumbing bills.

Scotto's Plumbing provides drain maintenance and clog removal as well as a wide variety of other plumbing maintenance and repair solutions for homeowners. If you live in Pinellas County, feel free to give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you.

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Roots in your sewer pipes? Start here.

August 12, 2021

Sometimes, plumbing problems are caused by things we can see- like a clogged drain or an overflowing tub. However, these aren't always the root of the problem. While these are easy to fix, there is another dangerous plumbing issue that you should be aware of: roots in pipes. It may sound strange, but it's not unusual for roots to find their way into plumbing systems and cause a major headache. Root infiltration into your sewer lines can cause serious problems if not treated quickly and efficiently. Roots growing in sewer pipes can clog drains, back up wastewater, and even completely destroy pipes. You should be aware of the signs of roots in your pipes so that you can take quick action before the problem gets worse. Why Do Tree Roots Grow Into Pipes Tree roots grow into pipes for several different reasons. One potential cause is they are seeking something they need to grow, such as water or nutrients. Another common cause of tree roots growing into pipes is because they are already there! Many older homes have been around for decades, and trees have had plenty of time to grow in them. Roots can easily find their way into a sewer line and cause damage. Tree roots can also get into your system if you recently moved near a mass of trees. Pipes last only about 30 years, so make sure to check for leaks every year. There are numerous colors, shapes and sizes of tree roots. Roots grow every day and can even cause major blockages once they grow large enough to occupy the entire inside diameter of the pipe. Speaking of growing: They can grow about an inch or more a day and can travel through the smallest spaces to get to water. Some roots even split once they get deep enough in search of more nutrients. Even though tree roots don't consume as much water as household items as toilets do, their constant intake is still enough to give you a headache or two. Tree roots suck up water through their pores to survive, much like we do. The difference is that tree roots need more water than humans do. While humans need at least one liter of water per day for survival, trees require anywhere from 10 - 100+ liters of water every day! Signs You Have Roots In Your Pipes There are several signs to look for in the case of roots growing into your pipes. The first sign of root intrusion is if your home has a slowly draining water system. The second sign of a root in your sewer pipes is gurgling sounds coming from your toilet. Another sign is finding patches of grass that are much greener than the surrounding grass. That green grass is likely benefiting from the extra water and nutrients from the intrusion. A sunken area in the yard can often be a sign of a root intrusion. As the roots create a hole in the pipe, the surrounding dirt is washed into the city sewer. While the hole may seem small, they can create mini sinkholes which can be quite dangerous. If you do find an issue with roots in your plumbing system, it's important to call a professional plumber immediately and have the problem taken care of before you end up with a large issue on your hands. Scotto's Plumbing can perform a camera inspection to confirm the presence of roots and remove them. Preventing Roots From Entering Pipes To prevent tree roots from entering your plumbing system again, you should make sure that the trees or plants near your home are not feeding off of your water. There are a few ways to do this: Install a rain gutter to collect rainwater from nearby trees and plants. This will keep them from absorbing any of the water. Create a barrier around your house with a layer of gravel at least 3 inches thick. Be sure that it extends at least 12 inches past the perimeter of your home. The best way to create a barrier is by using four layers; the first two layers should be made up of washed gravel (gravel stones that are clean on one side), while the last two layers should consist entirely of cobble (granite-like rocks). Roots from nearby trees and plants can grow into your plumbing system, which is why you need to keep a close eye on the roots that are coming in contact with or touching your pipes. If you notice any signs of an invasion (slow draining or toilet gurgling), it's time to call in professional help to get rid of them before they cause more serious damage than just some unpleasing odors! Scotto’s Plumbing has been providing quality plumbing service to Pinellas County residents for more than 40 years. Contact us today at 727.581.5828 for all of your plumbing needs.

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Welcome back, snowbirds

September 21, 2020

Welcome back to The Sunshine State. While you were away, your plumbing system sat dormant, which can cause major problems. Before you throw on your flip flops and hit our sandy beaches, or head out for a round of golf, spend a little time checking the following items: Shut off Valves: To ensure your shut off valves aren’t stuck or leaking, turn them on and off at the toilets, sinks, and washing machines. Run water for several minutes to ensure there are no drain issues or leaks in your showers, tubs, sinks and washing machine. Flush all toilets. Run hot water in sinks and showers. Check water heater tank for leaks Check exterior hose connections for leaks Check ice maker line to it’s connected correctly and not leaking Run garbage disposal Don’t forget to check other plumbing components, like a water softener, utility sink, or reverse osmosis/drinking water system at your kitchen sink. If you have any problems or concerns, give us a call at 727.581.5828.