Winter in Buffalo doesn’t joke around. With the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, homeowners face unique challenges. One area that gets overlooked is preparing your drains for the wintertime. Being ready for the months of harsher weather is critical for your pipes and drain system! Here at Advanced Sewer and Drain Cleaning, we have the expertise to help you avoid a costly repair down the line.
The Importance of Preparing Your Drains Before Winter
In a region like Buffalo, drain maintenance isn’t just a good idea, it’s a necessity. Clogged or slow drains can freeze as temperatures drop, leading to burst pipes or backed-up sewage. These issues can cause water damage and expensive repairs.
By scheduling drain cleaning before winter, you’re not only protecting your pipes but also avoiding a headache during Buffalo’s harshest months. A clean, clear drain system ensures that your home’s plumbing runs smoothly when it’s needed most.
Know Where Your Sewer Vent Is!
We all know what the region looked like on Christmas morning of 2023. Some of us couldn’t even open our front doors, let alone locate our sewer vent. Knowing where your sewer vent is, is critical. Did you know that your sewer vent isn’t only where we clean your main line from, it also allows your plumbing system to “breath”? When the water is drained out of your toilet or other fixture it creates a wall of water that travels through the sewer and drain lines. As it pushes through, it pushes air. If the air has nowhere to go it will dramatically slow the water down and cause the material in the water to be left in the sewer and drain lines. Eventually, this will cause a blockage and then we get to travel and carry heavy equipment in the frigid temperatures and blowing snow. It’s a great idea to know where your sewer vent is and to try to keep it clear. Some sewer vents are outside and others can be located inside. If you need help locating it, give us a call and we can help!
Tree Roots Still Grow!
Even though it’s cold out the trees are still thirsty and hungry for all the yummy water in your sewer line. Emergency drain cleanings are extremely common in the winter. The Tree roots will still grow and either block the sewer themselves or collect debris that travels through the drain lines blocking your sewer and causing an unwanted holiday surprise. We can easily provide maintenance cleaning at any time of the year but it becomes more difficult traveling around town and moving equipment around your property in the wonderful bliss of a Western New York winter.
OH NO! UNCLE JOE!
Murphy’s Law states that if you’re having a holiday party and you haven’t prepared your sewer and drain line for the work-out that comes along with the holiday traffic, your home WILL have a problem. Tony’s family all remembers that one time when Uncle Joe came running out of the bathroom with wet socks because the toilet overflowed. The plate of food had to get set down and Tony put on his super-hero cape to traverse through the tundra to fetch the van full of tools and save the day. Don’t let your Uncle Joe have the same fate. I’m sure he likes his socks dry. Give us a call for a maintenance cleaning to avoid your Super Bowl party turning into a Pooper Bowl party.
Famous Mashed Potatoes
With all the holiday prep and cleanup, your kitchen sink gets a serious workout. Washing the peeling potatoes and washing green beans for the casserole is a chore that not many of us enjoy but to enjoy the savory delights of our Christmas family dinner it is a necessity. If you have a garbage disposal, you may be tempted to push all the potato peels down the drain and flick the switch, but beware of overloading the disposal or it will haunt you during your after-dinner cleanup. Too many peels or food debris can clog the drain even if your disposal is working correctly. You will also, hopefully, have many helpful family and friends. Make sure they are aware of the way your disposal works and not to abuse the limits of this appliance.
5 Tips To Keep Your Disposal Working Properly
Here are some trade secrets that some may not know.
- Run water while using the disposal. This will help liquify anything that is ground up.
- Avoid putting large amounts down at one time. Too much is never good. It will overload your drains and cake up on the inside of the pipe and stop up your drain.
- DO NOT put bones or anything else hard in the disposal. Bones can jam themselves in the disposal causing them to completely lock up. The only way to get the disposal working again is to replace it.
- Avoid coffee grounds and eggshells. Think of them as sand. Coffee grounds can easily be rinsed down when you empty the coffee press but it is a dangerous practice. The coffee grounds will make it through the disposal but then will pack against the inside of your pipes. Eggshells will do pretty much the same thing. The hammers inside the disposals will pulverize the shells and then turn it into a sand that will, like the coffee, settle to the bottom of your pipes and block it up. Oh, and by the way. Egg shells will not “sharpen” the blades of your disposal. The part that spins has hammers in the middle with a case that resembles a cheese grater.
- Fill up the sink and rinse your troubles away! After you finish your wash it’s a good idea to fill your sink about halfway. After that step you simply let the water down the drain!
Why Choose Us for Your Winter Drain Needs?
As a local Buffalo business, we understand the unique challenges that our winters present. Our team has years of experience handling the types of issues common in Western New York homes. When you work with us, you’re choosing professionals who know the region, understand the climate, and can provide solutions that work.
Get Your Drains Ready for Winter in Buffalo
With the winter not just yet set in, it’s the perfect time to schedule a drain cleaning service.. Don’t risk costly repairs or water damage this winter. Contact Advanced Sewer and Drain Cleaning today to protect your home and enjoy peace of mind.
