That is why it is important to have a reputable sewer and drain cleaning company in Colorado Springs that residents can count on to come and inspect the plumbing in their older homes. 

Here are the 4 most common problems found in older homes.

1. Outdated Pipe Materials

Older homes could have pipes made from materials that no longer meet U.S. building code requirements. Renovations in older homes often result in replaced pipes, but it is still a good idea to have them inspected in order to avoid issues that could require emergency drain cleaning. 

Outdated pipes often include these materials: 

• Lead 
• Galvanized metal
• Polybutylene

Lead is found in pipe construction done before 1986. Once considered the most durable material available, we now know it is highly toxic.

Polybutylene was heavily used from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, oxidants in public water caused it to deteriorate.

Galvanized pipes found in homes built before the 1960s erode over time and break down.

2. Pipe Bellies

Pipes can be found under the house in the ground or in a concrete slab. As time progresses, a house shifts and moves. If this motion causes the pipes to shift downward, it creates a slope called a “belly.” 

Pipe bellies can restrict the flow of water. The result can be pools of water that fill with sediment and unpleasant waste. If this is left unrepaired by a sewer repair company, you could be facing leaks and stoppages.

3. Sewer Line Failure

Homeowners don’t usually think about their sewer line until a problem occurs. 

Sewer lines are heavily used. Older homes designed before our modern appliances came along can’t handle our current needs. 

Today’s dishwashers, garbage disposals, and toilets force more water into the line than the older systems can handle. This makes older sewer lines susceptible to failure. Other enemies of an older sewer line include tree roots and ground shifting.

4. Old Fixtures and Connections

Older homes usually have supply line connections, faucets, and other fixtures that are near the end of their life spans. 

Typical use can cause broken knobs, restricted water flow, and leaks over time. This makes using the water inconvenient and can lead to expensive emergencies. Preventative maintenance can impede a disaster from occurring.

Have Your Pipes Inspected

When looking for a reputable sewer and drain cleaning company in Colorado Springs, reach out to Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning. 

Our experts can locate potential problems and have them repaired so that you can avoid the expense and inconvenience of a plumbing emergency.

Contact us for a sewer and drain inspection today!

The post The Top Plumbing Problems in Older Homes appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Before you decide to fix your clogged dishwasher by yourself, it’s important to understand why it’s clogged. You may need more experienced help from a sewer and drain cleaning company in Colorado Springs.

Here are the top 4 reasons for a clog in your dishwasher:

1. Garbage Disposal

Did you know if you’re using your garbage disposal incorrectly you can actually cause your dishwasher to clog? Many do not know that garbage disposals are not intended to dispose of every piece of garbage on your plate. In fact, there’s only a couple of things that can go down your garbage disposal without damaging your pipes and hoses.. 

The garbage disposal and dishwasher share a hose that allows water to move out of the dishwasher. If this hose is clogged by some food or grease it can cause the water to stay in your dishwasher and eventually overflow.

Try running your garbage disposal and water to see if you can remove any food that may be stuck. If this doesn’t work, you should call a sewer and drain company right away.

2. Drain Filter

Are you seeing food residue on your dishes after the dishwasher is done? Then you may want to consider checking your drain filter.

Your drain filter can easily get clogged with bits of food that will not only cause residue on your dishes but can also cause the dishwasher to not drain completely. 

Check your drain filter and give it a good clean out before putting it back in its place. If your still noticing that your dishwasher is not draining properly, give us a call and our professional sewer & drain cleaners will come take care of it.

3. Clogged Drains

Occasionally when your dishwasher stops working, there’s nothing wrong with it; sometimes the problem is far bigger.

If your dishwasher isn’t draining properly, your kitchen sink is clogging up or water is gurgling back into your kitchen sink after a cycle, you may have drain problems that are more significant than your dishwasher. 

Be sure to call a professional sewer and drain cleaning company in Colorado Springs before your problem goes from bad to worse.

4. Sewer Line

Unfortunately, just like drains, a sewer line damage is much larger than a simple clogged dishwasher and a sewer line repair will be more extensive. 

Broken sewer lines can prevent all of your Colorado Springs homes pipes from draining properly, thereby creating a sewage backup that will lead into your home. 

Damaged sewer lines are very common in older homes, but can also be seen in newer sewer lines, with tree root infiltration or a drain clog that was never fixed. 

Contact a sewer line repair company immediately to prevent further damage.

Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company in Colorado Springs

While there are many small things that can cause a dishwasher to clog, it’s always best to call in a professional for help.

No matter what is clogging up your dishwasher, the experts at Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning are here to help. With over 18 years of experience, you know you’re in good hands. Contact us today for your free quote!

The post Top 4 Reasons For a Clog in Your Dishwasher appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Problematic sewer lines can be catastrophic circumstances.

Help your Colorado Springs home’s drainage system stay in tip-top shape while keeping your home running better than ever. 

Here are 4 sewer maintenance tips to help you avoid a crisis.

1. Watch What You Put Down Your Disposal

If you’re guilty of shoving everything on your plate down the garbage disposal you’re not alone. 

Many believe that because it’s called a “garbage disposal” they can put anything down the sink, unfortunately that is not the case. 

While garbage disposals can help you get rid of some garbage that would stink up your home, such as certain veggies, small fish bones, and more; there are actually many types of food that you can’t put down the garbage disposal.

Check out our blog on what you can & can’t put down your garbage disposal.

2. Use a Sink Strainer

If your sink doesn’t come with a garbage disposal, or even if it does, buying and using a sink strainer is a great way to help prevent clogs.

Even if you try to get every scrap into the garbage and are cautious about what you put down the disposal — things tend to slip by occasionally leading to a catastrophe.

This is where the sink strainer comes in. 

By catching all of those stray pieces of food before they go down the sink you will be keeping your drainage system running smoothly.

3. Plan Your Landscaping 

Did you know your landscaping projects can greatly impact your sewers and drains?

Planting trees outside of your home can not only increase the value of your home, new trees can give your home shade, and provide curb appeal; however, trees can also do significant damage to your sewer and drainage systems. 

Placing trees too close to your pipes can lead to the roots growing into the pipes causing caustostropic damage. 

Trees, like any living thing, require water. When they are looking for a water source your sewer pipes are one of the first things that will nourish them. 

Be sure to put your trees a considerable distance away from your sewers and drain pipes and make sure to give them enough water so they don’t need to look for it elsewhere.

4. Get a Drain Video Inspection

If you’re purchasing a new home you’ll definitely want to get a drain video inspection before signing any closing documents.

A drain video inspection is not part of your regular mandatory home inspections, but without it, it can lead to just as many expensive repairs as those that may be found in your general home inspection.

Drain pipes are not seen and therefore usually forgotten about, but ignoring your drain pipes by eliminating an inspection can leave you blind to tree root issues, clogs, breaks, corroding, and much more. This type of damage leads to thousands of dollars in repairs.

Even if you already own your home, if you’re experiencing frequent blockages, inconsistent water pressure or foul odors, a drain video inspection might be necessary.

Don’t Wait, Call a Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company

The longer you wait, the worse things will get.

Don’t wait until your problem gets too big and ends up costing you more, call a sewer and drain cleaning company at the first sign of a problem.

Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs is a local, emergency drain cleaning company that specializes in drain and sewer cleaning and repairs, drain video inspections, and sewer line repair and replacement.

Contact us for a free quote today!

The post 4 Sewer Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Pipes Running appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

There’s always something to do around the house and winter only adds more to do your to-do list. Many Colorado Springs homeowners begin preparing for the harsh winter days  by clearing out their gutters, cleaning their chimneys, buying a snow shovel or snow blowers and servicing their heating systems are only some of the things you must do as a homeowner. 

But what about your home’s sewer and drain system?

These two features are essential to your Colorado Springs home running well and without proper maintenance during and before the winter season, you could be in for a costly repair.

As we head into the winter months in Colorado Springs, here are some tips to help keep your sewer system and home free of damage.

Run Your Faucet During A Cold Front

One of the most common known problems during a particularly cold winter is frozen sewer lines. 

While there are various ways that you can keep your sewer lines safe during the winter, running water during a cold front is probably one of the easiest ways to do this. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that you need to have your sink going at full speed. 

A simple trickle will act as a relief valve for the pressure that will build up if your pipes do become frozen. That small trickle can prevent frozen pipes from cracking and causing even a larger problem.

Tip: Choose a faucet where the drain is not on the exterior wall of your Colorado Springs home. If you choose a sink with a drain on the exterior wall, the drain can freeze and your sink will overflow while you sleep.

Shovel Snow Out of the Way

While you’re shoveling snow out of your Colorado Springs driveway and sidewalk, don’t forget to clear the snow off the top of your sewer vents.

A buildup of snow can create a blockage in your vent causing sewer gases to be released into your home.

In addition, that pile of snow that you may think will just melt away, will make its way into your drains. Water that is flowing through your pipes can freeze if it reaches under 32 degrees fahrenheit, which is extremely common during the cold winters here in Colorado Springs. This can lead to damages such as cracks or even breaks.

Disconnect Your Hoses

It’s so easy to forget about the things we can not see. Such as the hoses outside of your home.

A hose left outside will freeze. 

You may be wondering how that can affect your home, well, if your hose is connected to the faucet ice can back up into the pipe inside your house. Ultimately, this can lead to cracked pipes.

Better to be safe than sorry, disconnect all your hoses and put them into storage until winter has passed.

Shut Off Your Water If You Leave Town

Winter means the holidays have arrived, and while you may be looking forward to spending time with your family, don’t forget to protect your sewers before you leave.

Before you leave town turn the water off at the main shutoff. 

This will ensure that if there is a severe cold front while you’re away, your frozen pipes don’t crack and you’ll have much less damage than you otherwise would. 

Tip: Don’t forget to also turn off your ice maker in your fridge. Leaving it on will burn out your motor leaving you with another headache.

Continue Regular Sewer & Drain Maintenance

While there are specific one-off things you can do to protect your sewer lines during the winter, it’s still important to continue your regular maintenance. 

Check to see if your sewer lines are showing warning signs that they’re due for maintenance. 

Don’t put foods down your garbage disposal that can clog your drain – Find out what food you can and can’t put down your garbage disposal. 

Lastly, follow these 5 tips to avoid clogging your drains.

Work with a Sewer & Drain Company in Colorado Springs

We at Whitney Sewer and Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs love to pass on our knowledge and tips to our customers to help them keep their home running smoothly.

However, even when you know how to keep your sewers and drains safe during the winter it still may not be enough. 

Accidents can always happen and when they do we’re here to help. 

If you need help making sure your Colorado Spring shome is ready to take on the cold days ahead or need a sewer line inspected, contact us for a FREE QUOTE today!

The post 5 Tips to Keep Your Sewer & Drain Lines Safe During the Winter appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

In fact, poor use of your garbage disposal can lead to a wide variety of sewage problems in your Colorado Springs home.

To keep your garbage disposal working properly with no clogs or breaks, you need to know what is safe to put down it, and what you should avoid. Keep your garbage disposal running smoothly by following these food guidelines and maintenance tips.

Foods That You Can Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is a great kitchen tool that uses the water from your kitchen sink, rotary blades and drainage pipes to allow you to get rid of food that would otherwise stink up your kitchen. 

However, you have to be selective on what kinds of food you put down your garbage disposal in order to avoid pricey drain and sewer problems down the road.

Moderation and size are key for most solid food you’ll put down your garbage disposal.

For example, small sections of citrus rinds or a small amount of coffee grounds can go down your disposal and will leave your drain smelling fresh. However, large amounts can collect in your pipes and create backups.

Other Food Allowed in Your Garbage Disposal:

• Small meat scraps (cooked)
• Small fish bones
• Chopped up fruit
• Most soft foods (think baby food texture)
• All non-fibrous vegetables

Foods That You Can’t Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

If you think you can just toss your food waste down your garbage disposal and walk away, think again. An important part of garbage disposal and drain maintenance is knowing what not to use it for.

Important foods to avoid in your garbage disposal:

• Egg shells
• Potato peels
• Nuts
• Fruit pits
• Bones 
• Grease, oil or cooking fat can solidify as it goes through your drains and can cause a clog.
• Pasta, rice, oatmeal, and other starchy foods – these foods expand when wet and can block up your drains. 
• Pumpkin, celery, kale, artichokes, asparagus, and many other fibrous vegetables should not be disposed of in your garbage disposal as the stringy material can tangle up the inside of your unit and cause drain problems.

Tips for Garbage Disposal Maintenance

Unlike figuring out what you can and can’t put down your garbage disposal, garbage disposal maintenance is fairly simple. 

All you really need to do is run cold water while you’re using it and leave it running for 30 seconds after you’re done. This will help ensure that all food is washed down the drain and that none remains in your disposal.

For extra help, throw some ice cubes in along with your food waste and grind it up. The ice cubes will loosen food residue that is stuck to the blades and will help it go down easier.

If your garbage disposal starts to smell clean it with ice, baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice and dish soap. 

Drain Maintenance and Repairs in Colorado Springs

Accidents happen. 

No matter how hard we try, sometimes food scraps we don’t mean to get down our sink ends up there anyway. 

If you live in the Colorado Springs or surrounding areas and you’re having trouble with your garbage disposal, drains, or sewers Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning is here to help! 

Contact us today.

The post What Can & Can’t You Put Down Your Garbage Disposal appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Your sewer line is the heart of your home. It’s where all of the other plumbing lines connect to. Kitchen and bathroom sinks, yard drains, showers and toilets, they all lead to the main sewer system in your Colorado Springs home.

Though any home can have a back up sewer line, there are some ways to help you avoid clogging your drain. Also, there are still some homes that are more predisposed to a sewer emergency. 

Here are a few ways you can learn if your home is predisposed to sewer problems, and 4 signs that you need your sewer lines cleaned and how a scheduled drain line cleaning.

Is Your House Predisposed to Sewer Problems?

Yards With Trees

There’s something about big trees surrounding your Colorado Springs home that truly looks beautiful. 

However, it’s those grown trees that can cause troubles for your sewer line. Trees need water to live, and they do this by sending roots underground to get water and nutrition. Unfortunately, for you as the homeowner, your sewer line is an ideal water source. 

In fact, one of the most common causes of clogged and broken pipes in Colorado Springs is tree roots. They only need a small opening to get in the line, once inside they grow and widen eventually tearing it apart. Since this is underground, it is likely you will have no idea why your sewer is backing up until it’s too late. Sewer maintenance can be a preventative measure and can keep you from spending a lot more money in the long run.

Similar to tree roots needing to be cut back, once your house has had a sewer issue, it is likely that this will come back. Especially if you do not practice maintenance, both at home and professionally. The best defense against your continued sewer problems is a good offense. Once you’ve had a sewer issue, it’s important to practice preventative measures to get more years out of your pipes.

Older Homes

Lastly, if you live or just recently purchased an older home, it is important to practice sewer maintenance. The older your home is, the more that can go wrong. Not only outside, but inside. Grease buildup, food blockages, wet wipes flushed down the toilet, etc. Outside, changes in the soil, erosion and movement can cause “bellied pipes” this happens when a pipe starts sagging or sloping wrong and causes a buildup of waste and blocking your pipe from working properly.

This is why we advise prior to buying a home in Colorado Springs for the home buyer to get a video inspection on the drains, you never know what you’ll find down there and how expensive it can be.

Haven’t Had An Inspection In Awhile

All in all, preventative measures can save you a lot of headaches and expensive emergency calls. We typically recommend our customers to get their sewer lines cleaned once every year at the very least, especially if they do have various trees in their backyards, have had prior problems or live in an older home. 

4 Warning Signs That You Need Your Sewer Lines Cleaned

• Gurgling sounds coming from pipes
• Water around the floor drain in the basement
• Slow drains, or drains that frequently clog.
• Sewer odors, or the smell of sewage.

Sewer Line Maintenance in Colorado Springs

Preventative drain and sewer line maintenance can help Colorado Springs homeowners avoid costly sewer line blockages. 

Though you may not be able to see your sewers, you should treat it just like any other part of your home that you need to perform periodic checks such as your air conditioning, garage door, roof, etc. By providing your sewers the proper maintenance it needs you can save yourself thousands in repair and replacement costs.

Don’t wait until it’s too late, get your sewers maintenance today! Contact our team at Whitney Sewer and Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs for a free quote today.

The post Why Sewer Maintenance is Important & Warning Signs That You Need Your Sewer Lines Cleaned appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

A home inspection allows you to negotiate with the seller about the serious issues you may find or allows you to escape your contract all together if there are too many serious structural problems, safety issues, etc.

Although you, as the buyer, will be paying out of pocket for the inspections, getting inspections is crucial in the buying process so you know if you will have serious issues to deal with after you purchase the property. Since you are the one paying for the inspection, there are a few inspection options you can choose. 

Here is a list of 5 of the most important inspections to do before you buy your new home in Colorado Springs.

General Inspections

General home inspections are the most common home inspection done. 

A general home inspection will cover features of your Colorado Springs home that are visible to the eye. This ranges from roofing, driveway erosion, safety concerns such as fire and carbon monoxide alarms and various other things. 

Your inspector will then write a report detailing his/her findings and recommendations of how to proceed to bring the home up to standard.

A standard home inspection will cost around $500 – $700.

Before choosing your inspector, be sure to look over their reviews and credentials.

Sewer Scope Inspection

Unlike a regular home inspection, sewer inspections deal with problems not visible to the eye that may be underneath the house.

Oftentimes, sewers don’t show signs of any problems until it’s too late. Usually sewer companies, such as our team at Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning, aren’t called in until drains are backing up or even worse flooding your home with sewer water.

Our team at Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs performs sewer drain line video inspections by using high tech cameras to go beneath the surface of your property. This allows us to see if the water and waste are flowing in the right direction, if maintenance needs to be performed or if there are any disruption such as tree roots that need to be cleaned out and repaired.

Sewer repairs can be in the thousands of dollars depending on the damage done, while an inspection can range from $100-$250. It may seem unnecessary, but you’ll be thankful you spent the money if you buy a home with major damage.

Radon Testing

A naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon can increase the risk of lung cancer. 

According to the EPA nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels and scientists estimate that 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths nationwide each year are related to radon.

Radon gas can build up in enclosed spaces, such as basements, and with so many basements in Colorado Springs homes, performing radon testing as part of your home inspection is wise.

Radon tests take 48 hours to show results and can be anywhere from $100-$200.

Lead-Based Painting

In 1978, the federal government banned the use of lead-based painting. However, many homes in Colorado Springs built before 1978, and even some after, still have lead-based paints in them. 

Lead-based paint can cause serious health conditions, even death. Replacing lead-based paint jobs is not cheap, so if you’re looking at an older home in Colorado Springs you should consider getting a lead-based paint inspection.

Chimney Inspections

Many homeowners want a wood-burning fireplace and their home, just don’t forget about getting a chimney inspection before closing.

Some older chimneys don’t have the proper liners or the structure could be falling apart. Both of these problems could cause serious damage and health issues. 

A chimney inspection will be able to see these problems and can make sure that your chimney is running smoothly.

Sewer Home Inspections in Colorado Springs

If you’re purchasing a new construction or a resale home in Colorado Springs, it’s important to remember that while the home itself may not have any issues by just looking at it, you never know what’s lying underneath.

As we mentioned, sewer problems can cost thousands of dollars to repair and often go unnoticed especially if you purchase a home with only 1 or 2 residents and you move in a family of 5. 

Before you purchase your Colorado Springs home, make sure to get a sewer drain line video inspection done. 

Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning has served the Colorado Springs area since 1972. Our focus is to provide our customers with excellent levels of service from your first call to the end of your inspection. To schedule your sewer inspection, contact us today.

The post What Home Inspections To Do Before You Buy appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

With how often sinks and toilets are used, backup and clogs are common even in the most well-maintained homes. However, not all problems are easily seen or can be treated with a simple plunger.

One of the most valuable tools in the sewer & drain business is drain video inspection.

If you are experiencing any of the issues below, call a Colorado Springs sewer & drain cleaning company to help you. They will be able to not only repair any problems but will also inspect your plumbing for any further issues.

What is a Sewer/Drain Video Inspection?

Our professionally trained, Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning specialists in Colorado Springs will attach a waterproof camera to a sewer cable and insert it into your drains.

The drain video inspections service will help the specialist visualize exactly what is causing the problem, this could include tree root intrusions, corrosion, cracks, and much more.

One of the many benefits of a drain inspection is that you can see exactly where the problem is and start your work there. This helps to avoid digging up your entire garden to get to find and fix the problem.

Once the inspection is complete, we will determine the best course of action, whether that be cleaning, repair or replacing your sewer line.

Is It Time for A Sewer Line Video Inspection?

Experiencing frequent blockages 

You thought you’d fix that blockage, but just a few days or weeks later it’s back, what is going on? Tree roots are known for invading sewer lines and creating havoc especially if they go unnoticed and untreated. 

Drain video inspections will allow your Colorado Springs sewer & drain cleaning specialist to see the problem and determine the best plan to get your water flowing again.

Inconsistent Water Pressure 

While a pipe in your home may be easy to see, a leak underground is much harder to recognize. One way is to check your water pressure. A leak in your sewer line can actually cause a drop in water pressure.

You Are Purchasing A Home 

You’ve fallen in love with your new home, but before you buy it, make sure you get your sewer lines inspected!

Most of the time, new homeowners forget to do this because sewer lines are not visible, but this can be a costly mistake that can lead you to spending quite a bit of money.

Foul Odors 

There are many things you want to smell in your home, sewage is not one of them. If you’re smelling any foul odors in your home it could signal a crack somewhere in your sewer line.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it might be time for a sewer/drain video inspection before things go from bad to worse.

Fix Your Drain Before It Gets Worse with Video Inspection

Problems that are left untreated can result in backed-up sewage, water damage and sewer line replacements. Be proactive and avoid expensive repairs down the road by getting your sewers and drains checked at the first sight of trouble.

Are you looking for local drain cleaning companies in Colorado Springs? Our specialists at Whitney Sewer Drain & Cleaning are ready to help. Contact us for an estimate and more information today.

The post How Drain Video Inspections Can Prevent Drain & Pipe Problems appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Drain maintenance is easy to forget about because until there’s a problem, there are usually no signs. This is why no one ever thinks to do anything about them until there’s a clog and it seems to have “come out of nowhere.”

Knowing how to properly take care of your drains will increase their longevity and will save you money in the long run. 

5 Tips & Tricks to Avoid A Clogged Drain:

Try Not To Put Food Down the Garbage Disposal

After you finish your meal, it’s important to scrape the remaining food on your plate into the garbage can before putting it in the sink. 

The small blades of garbage disposals aren’t meant to break down heavy items and should be scarcely used. 

Proper Garbage Disposal Use 

Even when you think no food has made it down the drain after you’re done washing the dishes, it’s still important to run your disposal. However, there is a wrong and right way to go about this.

Never run your garbage disposal dry! 

Always make sure to run cold water before, during, and even for a bit after you’re done using the disposal. This will help any remaining small pieces of food pass through and not get stuck on the sides of the pipe. 

To Use or Not Use Flushable Wipes

Possibly the only thing worse than a clogged sink is a clogged toilet. 

While there may be some wipes out there that claim to be safe for toilet use, it’s actually best to not flush anything besides toilet paper down your drains. Toilet paper breaks down within 24 hours, while flushable wipes never do. This ends up causing a clog in your pipes as the wipes build up. 

Pour Boiling Water Down Your Drain

Once a week boil water and carefully pour it down your kitchen sink. 

This will help your drains remove some of the excess gunk that is stuck inside. The boiling water will help loosen up some of the debris, especially dried grease, and will help it pass easily through the pipes. 

Deep Clean Your Bathroom

As you may know, hair is probably the number one culprit of a clogged shower/bath. However, soap scum and shampoo can make this matter much worse. 

Once a month, take out the drain stopper in both your sink and tub and make sure to clean it all off before reinserting it. 

For more daily protection, buy a drain screen that will help eliminate excessive amounts of hair and soap scum easily escaping down the drain. If you have long hair, it’s also best to brush your hair before showering to get rid of all the loose hair first. 

Work With a Quality Sewer & Drain Company in Colorado Springs

On top of all of the DIY tricks we mentioned above, a great tip to keeping your drains in tip-top shape is to practice maintenance. 

Every 6 months – once a year, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to snake your lines. This will prevent future problems from occurring or catch problems before they become massive and end up costing you a lot of money. 

Whitney Sewer & Dry Cleaning in Colorado Springs provides quality services to keep your drains working and you happy. Whether you need drain or sewer services, contact us today for a free estimate. 

The post 5 Tips & Tricks to Avoid Clogging Your Drains appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Let’s be honest, pipe problems are not fun — or pretty for that matter.

We’ve all probably dealt with the unpleasantness of a backed-up sink, clogged toilet, slow drainage, overflows, and usually people’s first instinct is to reach for Drano because we all love a quick fix.

However, you should think twice before you make that decision. Although Drano may cause temporary relief, it can cause further damage over time.

4 Reasons Why You Should Not Use Drano

Drano Damages Plumbing Systems 

The chemicals in Drano continually produce heat until the clog is fully dissolved. This can cause your pipes to soften, as the Drano eats away at the glue holding the pipes together and eventually leads them to break.

When this happens, you will be left with a hefty cost for replacement repairs rather than a clogged drain.

Drano Can Burn Skin, Irritate Eyes, and Hurt Your Lungs 

Drano works by combining chemicals and burning/corroding any organic tissue.  If you use a plumbing tool such as a plunger, after using Drano, it can splash up and burn your skin, or worse get into your eyes.

The chemicals produced by Drano can also produce fumes that users breathe in and can infect your lungs. This makes conditions not only difficult for you but others as well.

Drano Is Not As Quick of a Fix As You Think 

While your problem may subside after pouring Drano, this is usually a temporary relief as the issue is likely to come back.

If you decide to use Drano as a quick fix but notice continuous clogging, it’s definitely time to call the experts.

For example, a fairly common problem are tree roots growing into pipes. This not only damages your pipes but wreaks havoc on your home. Drano certainly can’t shred and flush tree roots or replace damaged pipes. If your Drano solution isn’t doing the trick, chances are there’s a much bigger problem underneath.

Drano is Bad for the Environment 

Not only does Drano present potential bodily harm, but it’s also bad for the environment.

Drano contains lye and other extremely toxic materials that can make their way out of your sewage system and into rivers, streams, and oceans.

If you notice clogs and plumbing issues think twice about resorting to Drano. The experts at Whitney Sewer can identify and repair your drain and/or sewage problem plus we offer free quotes. Major clogs like hair, paper, wipes, and food need more than a liquid agent to get them flowing again, which is why you need a full-service solution.

There are a few telltale signs as to when you need to call a drain/sewage service.  These include frequent blockages, gurgling in the drains, a persistent odor, damp or muddy patches, and the dreaded flooding or “back up”. If any of these things are happening to you, store-bought products are not likely to fix the problem.

If you are experiencing any of these problems, contact Whitney Sewer and Drain before things go from bad to worse.  No matter how severe the issue is Whitney can solve it from start to finish, meaning you will work with one company for the duration of the project. If you do use Drano before reaching out, please let us know so that we can take extra precautions to not get it on skin or in eyes.

As soon as you hear that distinctive, dreaded gurgle, call up the pros rather than reach for the Drano. Your home will thank you for it.

The post Why You Shouldn’t Use Drano appeared first on Whitney Sewer.