For homeowners, clogged drains are a problem. But they are also an issue for professional plumbers. Dealing with them can be a nightmare and add substantially to project lengths. 

In this post, we explore some of the problems with clogged drains and why drain cleaning is so essential. 

Health Risk

One of the biggest problems for people in the profession is the health risks from clogged drains. Putting it simply, they aren’t good for you. 

Clogged drains create a kind of breeding ground for bacteria and various forms of mold. New debris feeds on the old, creating a vicious cycle. 

For example, one problem is grease and food scraps. These attract billions of microbes that attempt to break them down and recycle them. In doing so, they can create infection risks, which is why plumbers should advocate for greater hygiene standards with their clients. 

Sewer Line Overload

Another problem is, of course, sewer line overload and backflow. This issue causes sewage to run back into the home or business premises, creating a disgusting mess. 

Again, raw sewage in properties is a health risk and challenging to clean up, even for professionals. Therefore, it is essential to use drain cameras and use water jetting to remove any build ups before they become a flooding risk.

Erosion Of Customer Trust

Another problem of clogged drains is customer trust. A lot of homeowners and business managers simply expect plumbing services to sort out their drains (even if it isn’t a standard part of the service). 

The trick here is to include drain cleaning in the price and look for the source of the problem. For example, it could be to do with things like pipe misalignment or root intrusion. These problems can create significant issues. 

Environment Impact Of Drain Cleaners

Clogged drains can also lead to homeowners using chemical unblockers, which, as most plumbers know, have significant environmental consequences. Most contain harmful chemicals and are designed to be used as a stop-gap measure until professional assistance is available. They shouldn’t be used regularly. 

Because of this, plumbers need to educate their customers on the value of using professional drain cleaning solutions. These often just use the pressure of water (i.e. hydro-jetting) to dislodge the scum on the inside of pipes and allow it to drain away. 

What Can Plumber Do?

So, the ultimate question is what plumber should be doing about clogged drains whenever they interact with their customers. It turns out that there are quite a few strategies to try, each with benefits and drawbacks. 

One option is to simply offer proactive maintenance plans. These are handy because they take the blame off you (since you’re offering the service) and make it the client’s responsibility. If they don’t use it and they get clogged drains, it’s their fault. 

Another approach is to educate clients. Talking to them about how they can take care of their drains is critical, including with grease disposal. 

And lastly, you could tell customers about your high-quality drain-cleaning equipment and why they should use it.