Drain Cleaning For Older Homes: Special Considerations And Tips

Older homes have their own unique charm and character, but they also come with their own set of maintenance challenges. One of the most important and often overlooked is drain cleaning. Drain cleaning is essential for keeping the plumbing in older homes running smoothly, preventing clogs and backups, and avoiding costly repairs wherever possible. Luckily, there are many plumbers out there who can help you maintain your current pipes with quality services that clear out all the issues before they become too big. Here are a few special considerations that you need to have for older homes when it comes to plumbing and particularly the need for drain cleaning. 

Common Causes Of Clogs In Older Homes

One of the most common causes of clogged drains in older homes is the accumulation of grease, hair, and soap scum in the pipes. These materials can build up over time, creating blockages that can cause slow drains, bad odors, and even sewage backups. Another common cause of clogged drains in older homes is the presence of tree roots. These roots can grow into the pipes, causing blockages and leaks. At least once a year, you should make sure you have a plumber come and perform a full inspection on your older home's plumbing to make sure it is still up to scratch. A bit of preventative work during those inspections can do a mountain of good in the long run. 

The Risks Of Neglecting Plumbing Maintenance In Older Homes

Neglecting drain cleaning can lead to the corrosion of pipes, which can cause leaks and further damage to the plumbing. In older homes, where the build-up of grease and soap scum can be decades old in some places, this becomes an even bigger risk. Instead of having clogs and back-ups, you can have burst pipes and cracked connections that can lead to serious internal damage and potential structural liabilities as well. That is why you simply have no room for error when it comes to older houses.

The Best Approach To Drain Cleaning In Older Homes

While for newer homes, it is possible to vigorously use a plunger or drain snake on plumbing to try and clear out a clog, this is not as advisable in older houses. That is simply because, due to decades of usage, these fixtures can become more susceptible to catastrophic failure when faced with those simple measures. While everyday use might not trouble newer fixtures, cleaning them out with a lot of force can, indeed, cause issues that will then cost thousands to fix. Instead, if you get a clog in an older home, it is safer to simply call for a total drain cleaning. The more regular you are with your servicing, the less likely this will happen in the future. 

For more information, contact a local company, like The Plumbing Genius.

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