How Often Should Drains Be Professionally Cleaned?

Hydro Jetter Cleaning Drains In Pittsburgh

How Often Should Drains Be Professionally Cleaned?

Most people don’t think about their drains at all…Until one day, the sink won’t drain.The shower turns into a bathtub.Or worse — sewage backs up where it absolutely shouldn’t.

So the real question homeowners ask us is this:

“How often should drains be professionally cleaned?”

The honest answer might surprise you.

The Short Answer (Then We’ll Explain Why)

For most homes, professional drain cleaning should be done every 1–2 years.

But — and this is important — some homes should do it every year, while others can safely wait longer.

The difference comes down to what’s happening inside your pipes.

Why Drains Don’t Just “Stay Clean”

Every time you use your plumbing, tiny problems start stacking up:

• Grease coats kitchen drain walls

• Soap scum hardens inside bathroom lines

• Hair builds up in bends and traps

• Food particles settle and rot

• Minerals from hard water slowly narrow the pipe

None of this causes an immediate clog.

That’s why drain issues feel like they come “out of nowhere.”

In reality, most major drain backups are months or years in the making.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Clean Your Drain?

Here’s what we see when drains aren’t cleaned proactively:

• Frequent slow drains that never fully clog

• Recurring backups that “snake fixes” don’t solve

• Emergency calls on nights, weekends, or holidays

• Water damage to floors, cabinets, and finished basements

• Sewer lines packed solid with grease, roots, or sludge

At that point, cleaning is no longer preventative — it’s damage control.

How Often Should Your Drains Be Cleaned?

Let’s break it down simply.

You Likely Need Annual Drain Cleaning If:

• You’ve had backups before

• Your home is 20+ years old

• You have cast iron, clay, or older piping

• You cook often and use your kitchen sink heavily

• You have a finished basement

• You want to avoid emergency plumbing calls altogether

Every 2 Years May Be Enough If:

• Your drains flow perfectly

• Your home has newer PVC piping

• You don’t experience slow drains

• You’re light on grease, hair, and food waste

Only Cleaning When There’s a Problem Means:

• Higher repair costs

• Higher stress

• Higher chance of damage

• 
  

Most homeowners don’t realize this until after the first bad backup.

“Can’t I Just Use Drain Cleaner?”

This is one of the most common questions we get.

And here’s the truth most plumbers won’t say clearly:

Chemical drain cleaners don’t clean your pipes.They burn a hole through the clog and leave everything else behind.

Over time, those chemicals:

• Damage pipes

• Weaken joints

• Accelerate corrosion

• Make future problems worse

• 
  

Professional drain cleaning removes everything, not just the symptom.

What Professional Drain Cleaning Actually Does

When done correctly, professional drain cleaning:

• Clears the entire pipe diameter

• Removes grease, sludge, soap, and buildup

• Prevents future clogs instead of reacting to them

• Extends the life of your plumbing system

• Identifies issues before they become emergencies

It’s maintenance — just like servicing your HVAC or changing oil in your car.

The Smart, Proactive Option Most Homeowners Miss

If you’re the type of homeowner who prefers peace of mind over surprise emergencies, this matters:

👉 We offer a yearly drain cleaning option designed for homeowners who want to stay ahead of problems — not react to them.

This option is ideal if:

• You want predictable maintenance instead of emergency calls

• You’ve dealt with backups before and never want to again

• You value prevention over repairs

• You want your drains flowing like new year after year

It’s one of the simplest ways to protect your home from one of the messiest plumbing disasters possible.

Final Answer: How Often Should Drains Be Cleaned?

Here’s the honest, no-nonsense takeaway:

• Every 1–2 years for most homes

• Every year if you want to be proactive and problem-free

• Immediately if you’re already seeing slow drains, odors, or backups

Ignoring drains doesn’t save money — it just delays the bill.

And when it comes due, it’s usually much higher than expected.

Want to Be Proactive Instead of Reactive?

If you’re interested in staying ahead of drain problems, ask us about our yearly drain cleaning option.

It’s simple.

It’s preventative.

And it keeps small problems from turning into big, expensive messes.

Because the best plumbing emergency…Is the one that never happens. 🛡️