Like most homeowners, you probably give little thought to the waste that goes down your drains. Dirty drains don’t usually garner much attention until problems like foul drain odors, drain gnat infestations, and slow-moving drains arise. Unfortunately, neglecting drains could lead to messy whole-house backups. Read on to discover fascinating facts about drain blockages, their potential consequences, and their causes.

Biofilm Is Both a Cause and a Consequence of Drain Blockages

Dirty drains often have slick, slimy coatings of biofilm. This black, gooey substance is excreted from numerous pathogens, including yeast, bacteria, mold, and viruses. If you haven’t cleaned your drains in quite a while, you might have visible biofilm around your drain’s strainer basket or its strainer body.

Biofilm is also likely present in all connected pipes. Worse still, the harmful microorganisms that feed on drain waste and create biofilm can easily travel from surface to surface. These germs may be present on your faucet handles, sinks, nearby sponges, toothbrushes, or soaps.

Biofilm in bathroom and kitchen sinks can contain:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Candida albicans
• Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Mycobacterium

Given that these other disease-causing agents are surrounded by a slimy, protective coating, they’re also far more resistant to antibiotics and antimicrobial solutions than when found in other areas. The best way to avoid cross-contamination and all the illnesses that drain biofilm can cause is to have your drains professionally cleaned each year.

Biofilm is the result of blocked, slow-moving drains. However, if enough biofilm builds up in your plumbing system, it can create clogs and other drain problems.

Tree Roots Are Eager to Access Your Drain Waste

All of the soap scum, body oils, hair, and grease in your drains is valuable to underground tree roots and weeds. When these invasive growths tap into sewer lines, they often grow exponentially. With ample moisture and nutrients at their disposal, invasive tree roots can fill your sewer line, stop wastewater from moving, and send effluence back into your home. To avoid sewer line encroachment, schedule sewer line inspection services annually.

Slow-Degrading Items Can Stay Trapped in Your Plumbing System

Even though “flushable” wipes are made to be flushed, they’re terrible for plumbing systems. These products are often reinforced with long-lasting polymers. When you flush “flushable” wipes, they can get snagged on rough pipe interiors. They can also remain fully intact in sewer lines and municipal sewer systems for months.

Chemical Drain Cleaners Dissolve Organic Materials Indiscriminately

Chemical drain cleaners are cheap and easy to use, but they can damage plumbing systems. Caustic drain cleaners initiate thermal reactions when added to water. As they heat up, they “burn” through organic materials like soap scum and hair. Corrosive drain cleaners “eat” through organic waste. Unfortunately, both product types dissolve organic materials indiscriminately. Thus, if they get in your eyes or on your skin, they can cause serious injuries. They can also eat through pipes and other plumbing materials. It’s always far better to pay for professional clog removal instead.

Although fascinating, common drain blockages can still be a real pain. For expert drain cleaning in Wilson, NC, contact Roberson’s Plumbing & Septic today!