Spring is an exciting cleaning season in the United States. Experts say the warm weather makes it a suitable time for homeowners to declutter and deep clean their homes to be ready for summer.
However, during this time, many people concentrate on cleaning noticeable sections of the home but forget their drains.
You don’t want to hear your family or friends complain of foul smells due to rotten waste built up in your drainage systems.
Therefore, prevent backups and clogged drains to keep your home environment conducive and comfortable. You can achieve this by implementing the following simple drain cleaning tips:
Keep Your Pipes Clean
Have a routine check of the internal and external pipes. Inspect all the water pipes in your home for possible leaks or damage. Also, remember to rod out any clogged drain lines. If you notice some cracks, call an expert to fix them.
Clean Your Gutters Properly
Gutters collect rainwater from the roof and divert them away from your home. However, if they are clogged, water will spill over the sides of the gutters, leading to roof damage, foundation damage, wall cracks, and basement flooding.
Clear debris that might block your gutters, downspouts, and roof vent pipes to prevent clogging. The presence of pests on your roof, plant growth, leaking seals, and stains on your home siding are some of the signs of a clogged gutter.
Install Backwater Valve
A backwater valve is essential for your drainage system. However, it allows only one-way flow. Installing it on your sewer line will enable the flow of sewage or dirty water out of your home.
Heavy rains can overwhelm sewer lines, leading to sewage flowing back to your home. But with a backwater valve in place, this can never happen. Most states also have various regulations that require homeowners to install sewer backup valves in their homes.
Experts say installing backwater valves during initial construction is cheaper than retrofitting. Removing concrete to access the main sewer line during retrofitting will increase costs.
Pour Water into Frequently Used Drains
For the drains you don’t frequently use, occasionally pour a bucket of hot water to prevent debris or sewer gas from entering your house. Pouring the hot water also keeps the drains clean and free from oils and insects.
Use Mesh Strainers
To prevent food particles, hair, and other debris from clogging your drains, you can use mesh filters on all your drainage systems, including bathtubs and kitchen sinks.
Ensure Your Sump Pump Works Properly
A sump pump is crucial in removing flooding water in the basement of your home. It also helps solve dampness where the water table is above the home foundations. Sump pumps have valves that detect escalating water levels and pump them out and away from your home.
Experts advise that you test the pumps to ensure they work properly. Then, unplug the unit and return after 30 seconds. It should kick on and start pumping water right away.
Contact Professionals
Do you need drain cleaning, septic pumping services, septic system design, and installation, or septic compliance inspections? Look no further. Contact Mike’s Septic & McKinley Sewer Services at (952) 440-1800 or go online and book your appointment today.