Tag Archives: drain cleaning

Drain Cleaning Ashburn VA

4 Drain Maintenance Resolutions

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The transition between one year and another is an opportunity to set productive resolutions and improve yourself and your surroundings. For instance, you could make routine drain cleaning services and maintenance a New Year’s resolution to prevent your home’s drains from clogging. You might even get more specific in your resolutions by determining you’ll have rusty pipes replaced and drain strainers added. Maintaining internal systems is essential to homeownership, so why not make it a feature of the New Year? 

Ashburn, VA, homeowners have turned to R.A. Dobson for professional plumbing services since 1975. Besides drain cleaning, we can help with faucet, sump pump, and water heater installations and repairs. Our dedicated professionals deliver the expert plumbing care our customers need at reasonable rates. Call (703) 481-3700 or reach out through our website for a free estimate request. 

Below, we outline 4 New Year’s plumbing resolutions you don’t want to skip: 

1. Replace Rusted Pipes

Rusty and grimy pipes are a horror every plumber knows too well. Pipes deteriorate from daily use and little maintenance, causing leaks and water damage. Yet replacing worn pipes with new, shiny ones can prevent such disasters as well as save you stress and frustration from internal leaking. And if you don’t need your entire plumbing system replaced, hire a professional to replace only the pipes that need it. 

Many pipes are composed of galvanized steel, which suffers from rusting and corrosion. Galvanized steel pipes crop up most often in old homes, but you should always have a professional check what kind of pipes you have before determining what you can do to improve them. 

2. Use Drain Strainers

Although some sinks come with a drain guard, that may not keep out food particles and oils that can clog pipes. Therefore, whether your sink has a drain guard or not, investing in a strainer can protect the health of your plumbing system.

This device can also combat the symptoms and effects of drain blockages, such as unpleasant odors around your home. Acquiring a few simple drain strainers is thus an investment in your home’s hospitality, aiding in proper drain cleaning and maintenance.

3. Get Your Drains Cleaned Now and Then

Drain Cleaning Ashburn VA

A nightmare scenario for all homeowners involves water pooling in the kitchen sink after intense dishwashing or puddling on the floor after you run water down the drain. If you hear gurgling noises as water drains or notice it takes a long time to drain, you may have a clog on your hands. 

Fortunately, a professional can clean a clogged drain. Expert drain cleaning is critical to owning a home and should occur routinely to avoid expensive leaks. Fulfill your New Year’s resolution: call a professional to ensure the health of your pipes and drains. 

4. Keep Grease Out of Your Sink

Oil and grease from cooking contribute to pesky clogs and blockages. Grease, lard, fat, and oil solidify when they cool; they can become entrenched in your kitchen sink and grow larger as more food piles on top of them. 

Instead of pouring it into the sink, wait for the oil to cool and then dump it into a safe container or foil for your garbage. It can be hard to prevent all grease from penetrating your drains, but running hot, soapy water in your sink can fight its solidification and buildup. It’s not the solution to breaking up unwanted oils in your pipes, but it can help move obstructions through your pipes and prevent minor clogs.

Professional Drain Cleaning Now Available in Ashburn, VA

Make pipe and drain maintenance your New Year’s resolution. Although your plumbing system goes unseen in your home, that doesn’t mean repairs are unnecessary. Hiring our team of experienced professionals to handle your drain cleaning needs is a must for every homeowner in Ashburn, VA. Follow your resolution and call R.A. Dobson at (703) 481-3700 for our plumbing maintenance and repair services.

Plumbing Repair Ashburn VA

Signs Your Drain Needs Professional Cleaning

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Plumbing problems can develop gradually and without warning. Clogged drains, for example, may not exhibit symptoms at first. Still, homeowners eventually notice slow-draining water, an overflowing toilet, backed-up sewage, or drain odors. While these signs may arise due to a clogged drain, the issue can run much deeper. So, turn to a professional plumbing repair service to get to the source of the problem.

R.A. Dobson specializes in heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services. We are a second-generation family business that serves residents in Ashburn, VA. We offer drain cleaning and sewer line repair for regular maintenance and emergency needs. Contact us at (703) 481-3700 to have your plumbing system assessed.

Below, we outline common drain clog signs:

Slow-Draining Water

The most common clogged drain symptom is slow-draining water in your plumbing fixtures. You may also notice bubbling and gurgling sounds alongside slow-draining water, further signs of a plumbing system problem.

In bathroom sinks, excess soap or toothpaste can cause drain clogs. Shower and bath drain clogs, on the other hand, tend to arise from soap products and hair. While these problems may seem isolated, one clog can influence other drain pipes’ health.

Overflowing Toilet

Perhaps the most common sign of clogged drains is an overflowing toilet. Frequent changes in the toilet water level, frequent clogging, and a malfunctioning toilet are all signs of drainage issues. Furthermore, you may notice water pooling around your toilet’s base. 

Toilets can clog due to excess toilet paper, sanitary wipes, or feminine hygiene products. They also struggle when anyone (perhaps children) flushes toys or foreign objects.

Backed-Up Water

Objects are not the only cause of drain clogs. Sometimes, a residue buildup can create this issue. Such gradual clogs can restrict drain flow, causing the water to back up. Water that fails to drain—especially in the bathtub or sink—can indicate a similar problem.

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There may also be leaks near various plumbing fixtures throughout your home. Although backed-up water and leaks may appear benign, they create unsanitary conditions and indicate a foreboding problem within your plumbing system.

Drain Odors

Strange or stinky odors are another variety of plumbing issue symptoms. However, you should distinguish where the odor is arising. A sulfur smell is usually associated with microbial changes in your water supply. Conversely, a foul sewage odor emanating from your drains is most likely related to the plumbing components in your home.

Kitchen drain clogs usually arise from food particle buildup or oil blockages. These drain clogs can come from pipe overload or undersized pipes. If you notice a foul odor in your kitchen drain, ensure your garbage disposal is functioning. The smell may come from food lodged therein.

Reliable Plumbing Repair Services in Ashburn, VA

Prevent plumbing problems from compromising your entire plumbing system with the help of R.A. Dobson. We provide effective plumbing repair and faucet installation services in Ashburn, VA. Moreover, we can keep your drains free from obstructions and buildup with regular drain cleaning services. To learn about our financing options and get a free estimate, contact us at (703) 481-3700.