There is nothing more annoying than a slow-moving drain that never works right. Just standing in a shower up to your shins in soap scum water is enough to make you want to clear out that drain. The problem really gets frustrating when every drain in the house doesn’t work right.
We are so used to having modern conveniences today. When something like a drain problem or a backup happens, it can ruin everything. If you are here because you’re looking for answers on how to solve the sluggish drain problem in your house, you’ve likely already tried drain chemicals and other methods already.
Steve’s Plumbing & A/C Service, a local Maui plumber, can tell you how to permanently get rid of your drain problem. First, you need to know what might be causing the issue.
What Causes Slow Moving Drains?
Professional Maui plumbing companies often find certain problems that cause decreased water flow in the sewer lines. The most common problem is calcification inside the pipes.
Pipe Narrowing – The inside of a sewer pipe can narrow over time when sediments build up on the surface. The calcification forms a lining on the inner surface that continues to build up until the water won’t easily flow through. It can build up so bad that there’s only a pinhole opening.
Pipe Bellies – A sag in a sewer line is often called a pipe belly. Sewer lines are installed at a slope so the wastewater travels to the sewer main or septic tank. This sag, or pipe belly, can cause problems with sewer line draining because it interrupts the flow of gravity that the system depends on.
Tree Root Infiltration – Tree roots grow into sewer lines all the time. It’s not uncommon for them to find a way in at the connections and grow inside to absorb the water and nutrients. They will eventually clog the pipe entirely.
Pipe Descaling
Pipe descaling will get rid of the calcium buildup as well as any tree roots and other hard blockages. The reason that chemical drain cleaners don’t work well is that they can only treat a clog that’s close to the drain. And unfortunately, they actually don’t do much to it. Drain cleaners are caustic chemicals that aren’t good for the pipes anyway.
Pipe descaling is done by a plumber who has the high-pressure water jetting equipment. The drains and pipes are video camera inspected to find the cause of the draining problem. The plumber will be able to clear out the limescale buildup or another blockage completely. In some cases, the sewer line may need to be relined or replaced.
Have Your Water Heater Tank Flushed Out & Tuned Up
One of the reasons that pipes get coated by scale is due to the water heater. As minerals in the water are heated by the water heater, they change into a different form that is very powdery and sticky. This is a limescale that flows through the sewer lines and sticks to the inside. It also coats plumbing fixtures. Flushing out the water heater tank will help to remove the sediments that build up inside it. Water heater maintenance should be done at least once per year if there is no water softener installed. Some households on well-water will need the tank flushed out more regularly because the mineral content of the water is higher.
Install A Water Softener
A whole-house water softener installation is the final solution to the slow-moving drain problem. Once the pipes have been descaled and the water heater tank flushed out, the water softener will be able to keep the pipes cleaner. Water softeners dissolve the sediments that are in the water supply. Whether you are on a well-water system or a city municipal water supply, there are minerals in the water.
With these four steps, you should not have a problem with sluggish drains again, at least that is until someone puts something down the toilet or kitchen sink that doesn’t belong there. Don’t put these things down the drains even if you have disposal:
- Sanitary napkins
- Toys
- Grease
- Oil
- Fats
- Potato Peels
- Egg Shells
So if you are looking for a professional plumber in Maui, then please call us at 808-563-4054 or complete our online request form.
