Drain Cleaning Drain Clog Drain Maintenance
Drain Maintenance in Milwaukie, OR

Drain maintenance may not be easily linked to summer and fall, but these seasons are the perfect time to get these tasks done. There are some projects that you can tackle at certain times during the year that just feel like common sense.

4 Reasons to Tackle Drain Maintenance Tasks in Summer and Fall

  1. Fewer weather-related problems mean that it’s the perfect time to resolve winter issues
    In the summer, the weather is often drier and there’s less rain, so it’s easier to get these projects done. It also makes it easier for the plumbing specialist to work on the drains, especially when it comes to inspections outside of your home. The summer and fall are usually milder when it comes to weather changes, so you won’t have delays like you would with snow or ice, which create their own sets of issues in your drain system. These seasons are the perfect time to prevent winter-related problems from worsening or recurring in the winter.
  2. It May Be Less Hectic at Home in the Fall
    With fewer activities and demands on your time, and potentially fewer children underfoot, you may have more time and energy, which allows this task to be less stressful. This means that it may be a quicker job for the plumbing professional you hire to clean your drains. That means fewer interruptions and less stress for you.
  3. Stopping Leaks in the Pipes During the Summer Can Lessen Potential Problems in the Fall and Winter
    Autumn is a terrible time to have leaky pipes, especially if you’re in an area where wet, rainy weather is the norm. This is because fall storms can put stress on plumbing systems by adding quite a bit of water to the sewer lines, especially if there are leaks and cracks in the pipes or other drain issues. The longer you leave drains without cleaning, the more expensive (and encompassing) the problems can be when you get around to taking care of them.
  4. Less Potential for Bad Smells
    If you let your drains go without maintenance throughout the summer, there’s a greater chance that you’ll have more stinky smells to deal with. Bacteria grows in warm weather, and this only leads to unpleasantness. That also leads to the potential for illness, if someone in your home is sensitive to mold and things in the air.

Drain Maintenance Tasks to Perform in the Summer and Fall

Undertaking a few maintenance tasks in the summer and fall months can lead to a less stressful winter and spring, with less risk of serious plumbing issues. Some of these are easy do-it-yourself tasks, but others should be undertaken by a professional.

  1. Add a Drain Strainer to Your Bathtubs and Showers
    This is a simple and inexpensive step to take as part of your preventive maintenance tasks that make life easier and extends the working lives of your drains. A drain strainer is a basket-shaped insert that you can set into the drain. Bathtubs, sinks, and floor drains are perfect for drain strainers, which keep hair and other items from slipping down the drain and causing major clogs or damage to your pipes.
  2. Remove Leaves and Debris from Gutters and Downspouts
    Not only does this reduce the chances of problems with your home’s gutters, but this also reduces the chance of gross stuff (think mulch-like slimy leaves) getting into your outdoor drains to clog them.
  3. Check for Leaks
    As noted above, autumn is a terrible time to have leaks in your plumbing. Even if you don’t think leaks are an issue, it’s just good maintenance to check for issues like leaks and cracks once or twice a year.
  4. Have a Perimeter Drain Inspection
    Perimeter drains that get blocked can create major headaches, from basement floods to foundation problems. If you have a crew come out and inspect during the summer, you’ll have peace of mind that your foundation is safe from leaks and that your family is safe from mold issues in the basement too.
  5. Consider Adding a Backwater Valve to Your Floor Drains
    A backwater valve is a good addition to a floor drain if you live in areas where summer and fall storms tend to overwhelm their storm drains and cause sewer line issues. If you have a plastic drain, it may be easy to install, but if there’s corrosion in a cast iron drain, there’s the potential for some difficulties to occur. If you can’t straighten the threads in a cast iron drain, then it might be time to call a plumber.

Call 3 Mountains Home Services for all your plumbing needs, or to learn more about drain maintenance!

company icon