Drain Cleaning As a Preventive Measure

Drain cleaning isn’t just an emergency response; it’s an invaluable preventive strategy. Many homeowners only seek such services when the signs of clogged pipes are already evident. As champions of preventive care, Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter recommends annual maintenance checks. This proactive strategy can be the key to keeping your home’s plumbing in optimal condition and ensuring a hassle-free living environment.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds true for a lot of things, and regularly scheduled drain cleaning services certainly fall into that category! This is especially true when you know you have tree roots growing into your sewer.

Tree roots are always seeking out sources of moisture and often finding them in the form of household pipes. Once they infiltrate your plumbing system, they can create blockages and exert pressure that may lead to cracks or even breaks. The resulting damage can be extensive and costly to repair. But with scheduled professional maintenance, these invasions can be spotted early and dealt with effectively. Doing so prevents more significant issues down the line.

Read on to learn a few reasons why professional maintenance could very well be that ounce of prevention that mitigates pounds (gallons) of water from clogged drains or pipes from ever getting backed up into your home.

Reduced Clogs And Better Sanitation

Clogs, backups and even floods happen, often occurring when gunk, hair, minerals, soap, and grease buildup accumulate in the pipes. Over time, these unwanted deposits eventually create a big enough obstruction to cause a blockage.

A clogged drain, overflowing toilet, clogged sewer or even a slow bathtub could emit unpleasant smells that make the home uncomfortable to stay in. The blockage could result in further bacterial growth if not addressed immediately. This exposes homeowners to possibly harmful toxins produced by the buildup. (Not to mention it’s gross! We’ve all dealt with at least one of those scenarios in our lifetimes, and none of us is eager for a repeat performance.)

“Rooting” Out Problems Before They Happen

In our experience — like we mentioned above — the biggest problem for homeowners is the dreaded tree root invasion. Be proactive when dealing with this silent troublemaker — even if everything seems OK since your last sewer and/or drain cleaning. Tree roots are constantly growing fatter and longer as they absorb and expand with the steady flow of water.

By the time tree roots cause a clog, how big and long they can be can almost seem unreal. We’re not lying when we say we have pulled out roots longer than 20’ with a 3” mat or diameter.

The Pacific Northwest is a stunning region, and we all love living here. However, its abundant trees and frequent rainfall, while beautiful, can strain sewer systems. The vast network of tree roots underground is constantly seeking moisture. And these roots can infiltrate and damage sewer lines.

Tree roots continually damage your sewer pipe. If not addressed, this can lead to serious issues, everything from a clog or backup to complete collapse.

If you’d like to learn more, check out our article dedicated to handling this very subject in detail: How to Tackle Roots in Pipes.

Clean Drains Help Keep Sewers Healthy

While drain cleaning is very important, maintaining your sewer line is crucial for its longevity. If you’ve been fortunate to not face any sewer line issues, that’s great — let’s keep it that way! For optimal sewer pipe health, it’s advisable to get proactive and seek professional assistance, like the services offered by Bob Oates. Our experts can offer a thorough sewer camera inspection of your sewer line, assuming there aren’t any current blockages. (It can also be an enlightening experience to observe this inspection firsthand, allowing you to understand the intricacies of your sewer system.)

Throughout the procedure, our technicians will highlight potential vulnerabilities, including cracks and root intrusions. They’ll also point out connections from other lines. Once assessed, we’ll chart out a comprehensive plan to ensure your sewer line remains functional.

Note: If your sewer line is clogged with water, a direct camera inspection won’t be feasible due to the accumulated sludge. In such cases, it’s time for sewer repair options before we start a preventive maintenance regimen. Our team uses a cabling machine to restore the flow. While this machine efficiently tackles immediate blockages, it doesn’t guarantee complete root removal. For a thorough cleaning, including root eradication, the technicians at Bob Oates employ Hydro-Jetting.

Extends Service Life of Drain Pipes

Backed up drains and especially sewers are more susceptible to damage. As a result an increased need for drain repairs and services occurs. By making sure that your drain pipes don’t become clogged to the point that it puts a strain and exerts excessive pressure on the pipes, you’re essentially extending the lifespan of your drains.

By the way, before searching “drain cleaners near me,” there are things you can do at home right now to extend the service life of drain pipes. For example, installing a drain mesh or drain strainer, or using single-ply toilet paper can definitely help keep some clogs at bay without any visits from us professionals.

Preventive maintenance is inexpensive insurance by comparison. This includes regular rooter service to ensure every part of your plumbing and sewer systems run smoothly. Our professionals can help you determine if this means annually (for example, if you have experienced backups due to tree roots). Or if a longer time interval between services will be a sufficient prevention strategy.

Bottom line: No one wants to find out that their sewer has collapsed or is unable to be cleaned and snaked. Proactive drain cleaning is all upside in this regard.

Choosing Bob Oates for Preventive Drain Cleaning Services

To sum up, there are significant benefits that come with a regularly maintained drainage system:

• The health implications are paramount. Clogged drains can become breeding grounds for bacteria and molds. By allowing water to sit and stagnate, we inadvertently create an ecosystem for harmful microbes. These pathogens can trigger allergies, respiratory issues, and a host of other health problems for the family. Regular professional cleaning not only clears out the obstructions but also significantly reduces these health risks.
• The well-being of your home’s plumbing infrastructure. The intricate network of pipes that channel water throughout your home is like the veins of a living organism. And just as cholesterol blocks can lead to severe health issues, accumulated debris in the drains can compromise the integrity of your plumbing system. By incorporating regular drain cleaning into your maintenance routine, you ensure that the plumbing remains robust, functional, and durable.
• A smart investment from a financial standpoint. Any homeowner knows that property value isn’t just about location or aesthetics; it’s about functionality and condition. Homes with well-maintained plumbing systems invariably command higher market prices. (Would you be inclined to purchase a house notorious for its frequent plumbing issues?)

Safeguarding the Future

By routinely addressing potential drainage problems, you’re not just preventing immediate inconveniences but also safeguarding your property’s future market value alongside the health and well-being of you and your loved ones. And this where the team at Bob Oates is your trusted partner.

When you choose to work with our team of drain cleaning experts, we’ll make sure to come up with a suitable solution to your specific drain cleaning needs. Whether drain snaking or other related services, we are a complete plumbing, sewer and rooter company that offers a full suite of solutions to keep everything flowing smoothly.

The main thing is you can rest assured that you’ll get optimal results by calling Bob Oates Sewer Rooter LLC.

We can clean your line and do a spot sewer pipe lining to cover the affected area inside your pipe. Doing so eliminates the problem potentially for the life of the sewer! Scheduling drain cleaning services before a full-blown drain clog happens helps ensure that optimally flowing drains remain that way — trouble-free and without interruption.

Wrapping Up

Searching “drain cleaning near me” is the first step in locating technicians in your city or neighborhood. Of course, you need to know the company you select is reliable, competent and stands behind their work.

At Bob Oates, we operate a complete plumbing, sewer and rooter company that is family owned and operated. As a second generation sewer cleaner with 30 years in business here in Seattle, you can rest assured that we will get the job done right the first time.

Contact us today by calling or sending an email to schedule an appointment. We provide 24/7/365 service to Seattle and all surrounding areas, from Tacoma and the South End to Lynnwood up north to Bellevue and the entire Eastside.

People helping people — that’s what we are known for and what we strive to do everyday. Give us a call!