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Seven Fascinating Drain Cleaning Facts

Drain cleaning is necessary to ensure that your plumbing continues to work effectively. It may not seem like the most exciting thing in the world, but you might be surprised by some interesting tidbits about your drains. This article will share seven facts that are both fascinating and informative.

1. What’s a Fatberg?

Fatbergs are monster-sized clogs that are problematic in city sewers around the world. You get these masses in main sewer lines when many people use their home drains to dispose of:

  • Grease
  • Oil
  • Fat

Protect your home’s pipes and the city’s sewer system. Instead of pouring fatty grease and oil down the drain, pour it into an old metal coffee can. Keep this can in the freezer to solidify the contents. Once the can is full, seal the top and throw the can in the garbage.

2. Ancient Roman Drain Cleaning

The ancient Roman empire invented the marvelous aqueduct system to bring clean water into Rome. Equally impressive was the Cloaca Maxima, the intricate sewer and waste management system. Both the aqueduct and sewer systems were prone to clogs that required specialized workers and tools to remove them.

3. Archeological Wonders

Speaking of ancient times, did you know that archeologists have made some interesting discoveries due to ancient plumbing? Inside ancient drains, they have found small artifacts that were likely dropped by accident. These tiny trinkets included things like ancient coins, jewelry, and more.

4. Attack of the Hair

When it comes to clogged drains, one of the top causes is hair that accumulates inside them. The bathroom sink and shower drains are the most common spots where these hairy clogs occur. An average human will shed 50 to 100 individual strands of hair daily. Washing your hair and shaving can cause these loose hairs to build up inside your drain.

5. Home Sweet Home

If you’ve ever seen insects flitting around a drain in your home, these are drain flies. These flies love the organic matter that can build up inside your drain over time. They make it their home by laying their eggs inside of it. If you want to avoid these annoying little guys, ensure that your drains stay clean.

6. Root of the Problem

Tree roots naturally want to find sources of water and tend to grow in the direction of water that is found. Sometimes, this can cause big problems for a home. These roots can cause major blockages in your pipes, and the blockages can lead to even more damage.

7. Chemical Warfare

Chemical drain cleaners are useful occasionally to help keep your drains clean and break up clogs. However, they can harm more than they help. While the harsh chemicals in drain cleaners dissolve clogs, they can also corrode your pipes. If you need to use these cleaners frequently or have a severe clog, you’re better off reaching out to a professional plumber.

If you live in Waldorf, MD and need professional drain cleaning services, contact A Better Plumber today.

Contact our licensed professionals today to schedule a service appointment. (301) 278-8786

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