Functioning drains help keep your home sanitary. After all, if you can't get rid of your wastewater, it will just sit there and cause a major sanitation issue. It happens when you have problems with drainage. From the speed at which water drains out to a lack of drainage at all, here are four signs you need drain cleaning services.

1. Nasty Smells

You've cleaned your kitchen or bathroom, but you noticed a nasty smell that is still lingering. If you're unsure where the smell is coming from, the odds are it's coming from your drains and pipes. That's because when organic matter is stuck in your drains, it begins producing an odor as it rots. When it comes to the kitchen sink, people often accidentally put discarded food down there, which can eventually mold, rot, and give off poor odors. As mold and mildew build up anywhere, it'll create a musty smell. Discarded cooking grease can have that same effect, especially if you use grease to cook strong-smelling food. Your bathroom sink or tub drain may have built-up smells from lingering soap scum, clogged hair, and dirt from when you washed your body.

2. Slow Drainage

As long as you don't have your drain plugged, water should easily flow down it whenever you're running water. Therefore, you should be cautious if your sink starts to fill up while the drain is unplugged. When you’re brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or cleaning your sink, it shouldn't fill up unless there's a clog somewhere in the drainage system. Any object can cause a partial or full blockage. Your local drain cleaning services can remove the clog before it becomes compact and gets worse. However, you should also be mindful of multiple slow drains throughout your home or business. A slow drain is usually a localized problem. However, multiple slow ones may be a sign of a deeper problem in your pipes, sewer line, or septic tank.

3. Constant Clogs

According to WebFX, the United States plumbing industry has a net worth of $124.2 billion. The industry is so lucrative because they have highly trained professionals to assist when you have a problem with your drains, cracked pipes, and more. That's why, if you're dealing with constant clogs, you shouldn't be tempted to use over-the-counter chemicals, as they can damage your drains and pipes. Call your local drain cleaning service, as they have the right equipment, such as diagnostic tools and plumbing snakes, to get to the root of the problem. They can quickly tell whether your constant clogs are in easy reach due to food, hair, or other organic matter, or if it's something deeper in the sewer line.

4. Pooling Water

Standing water anywhere on your property can be a big problem. Whether the standing water is in the tub, sink, or outside on the drainage field, you must handle the problem immediately before it causes other issues. Pooling water can cause damage to any fixture it's in by leaving a stain and encouraging mold. Your home can also begin to attract flying insects, such as flies or mosquitoes. Remember, mosquitoes can lay as many as 100 eggs in one sitting, according to the CDC. The standing water can become filthy and attract flies that quickly multiply and infest your food supply. Therefore, if you don't handle the problem related to sitting water, you can have a major insect infestation on your hands. They could also attract rodents and roaches looking for water in addition to food. Pooling water is an example where the drain is no longer properly working, potentially leading to a backup. A backup can cause expensive structural damage to your home.

As you can see, there are several reasons why you may need to get professional drain cleaning at your property. With professionals on hand, there's no need to tackle DIY methods that may cause more harm than good. Your drains may become clogged due to organic matter like food or problems in your sewer. Whatever the issue is, a plumbing professional can quickly diagnose it and clean your drain. Then, it can function normally and remove waste water efficiently from your home. If your home shows any of these problems, don't hesitate to contact Phillips Plumbing as soon as possible.