In 2013, people in Canada claimed $1 billion worth of damages from sewer back-ups and drainage flooding. And these types of a home flood are not something you should take lightly.
They can create long-term problems in your home such as damp and structural issues. This means that they have the potential to totally devalue your home. So how can you avoid your drains flooding?
Well, one of the most important things you can do is hire a drain cleaning company. They will help to clean out any potential blockages and they'll give you advice on the best ways to maintain healthy drains.
But you don't want to waste your time with a hopeless company. Read on to find out our top tips on how to pick the best drain cleaning service for you.
Why is Cleaning Your Drains Important?
Drains play a vital role in any home. They carry away the unwanted water, dirt and other fluids that might come out of your house. But to carry all of this safely away from your property your drains need to be in good working order.
Having a clogged drain prevents this. It means that the contents of the drain no longer have anywhere to go. When this happens they will start to back up to your house or burst the pipes completely!
Neither of these outcomes is pleasant for everyone involved. Drain water is extremely unhygienic so you don't want it anywhere near your home. But this isn't the only reason you need to keep your drains clear.
The average rainfall in Canada is around 1,000 mm per year, depending on where you live. But recent instances of flash flooding in Toronto saw 100 mm of rainfall in two hours!
This kind of rainfall puts huge strains in drainage and sewer systems. Any systems that haven't been properly maintained will flood within a matter of hours in these conditions. And these floods cause extensive damage to property.
On top of this, if you don't take the time to properly maintain your drains then your insurance company might not pay out on a claim for your property. They will be able to site that you could have prevented the flood by maintaining your drains better. Worse still, if your poorly maintained drains cause damage to someone else's property you could also be liable for that.
So maintaining your drains isn't just about the everyday workings of your home. It's also an important way to protect your property in the long run.
Why Hire a Professional to Do Your Drain Cleaning in Ottawa?
As you can see, keeping your drains clear and functioning properly is vital to protecting your home. This is why it's important to get someone in who knows what they're doing.
You might be able to spot the signs of a clogged sewer drain in your home. But dealing with the problem is a whole other matter!
You also never know what might be causing your blockage. If this is the case, do you really want to be the one to find something surprising down your drains? Quite simply, they'll get their hands dirty so you don't have to.
But one of the most important reasons why you should hire a professional drain cleaning company is that you need them to do the job properly. Without expertise, you simply won't be able to do a good enough job.
And an insurance company might not take your claim seriously if you encounter any problems in the future. They'll want evidence from the company you hired, not a note saying "I had a feel around with a plunger a couple of months ago"!
A professional company will be able to spot trouble before it starts. One problem with your drain might indicate that something else is going on. But only a professional will know what to look out for.
What Does a Drain Cleaning Service Do?
A drain cleaning service does what it says on the tin.
They'll come in with the appropriate equipment and clear your drains of blockages. They'll also assess the state of your pipes and make recommendations on how your system could be stronger.
But with hundreds of different companies out there, how do you find the right one for you? Let's take a look at some of the most important things to consider when hiring a drain cleaning company.
Choose a Company with Good Communication Skills
This might not seem like the most important criteria in the moment but a company's communication skills will have a huge impact on your customer experience.
You need a service who will respond to your calls quickly and get back to you on any questions. Nothing is more frustrating than having a drain emergency and having to wait around to hear back. If they don't respond to your message within a day or two, look elsewhere.
They should be open to answering any questions that you might have about their services. Ask exactly what they offer and about the time frame for getting the work done.
Invest in a Quality Drain Clog Service
Different companies will offer you different rates and it is often tempting to go for the lowest price around. But take a moment to consider this decision.
You should think of a drain cleaning service as an investment in your home. Failing to do it or hiring a poor quality company could come back to haunt you in the long run. So go for a price that feels reasonable given the work.
Any company you hire should have a license and appropriate credentials for the work. All employees should receive proper training with the necessary equipment before going out on a job. This ensures the safety of both them and you while they carry out the work.
Opting for an experienced company is also a good idea. Anyone with years' experience under their belt will know what they're doing. If they didn't people would simply stop hiring them!
You can double-check the quality of work and their customer service by checking out customer reviews. These are a great way to get a gauge on what to expect from a company. If someone raises a red flag, then you should look elsewhere immediately.
Ask About Their Tools
When discussing the work with a company, make sure you ask about their tools. You might not be familiar with everything they mention but this is a good way to check if they provide a legitimate service.
If they start talking about drain unclogging chemicals then you're talking to an amateur. You can buy these solutions from most hardware stores but they won't do the best job.
In fact, using chemicals on your pipes could cause more damage than good. A poor combination could react and cause fumes in your home or even explode your pipes. On top of this, pouring chemicals down the drain is extremely bad for the environment.
Any professional drain cleaning company should use the right tools for your pipes. Most of them use their own jet washers to get rid of blockages. And some even have drain cameras which they use to check the condition of your drainage system.
You Need to Use a Nearby Drain Cleaning Company
When it comes to finding a drain cleaning company, proximity is something you need to consider. Whether you're looking for drain cleaning in Ottawa or drain cleaning in London, Ontario, you need an Ottawa plumber that you can trust nearby.
This means that they can get to you quickly in an emergency. And if you encounter an issue with their work they'll be able to pop around easily. There's no point hiring a company based hours away from your property!
Go for a Drain Cleaning Service that Offers a Guarantee
Hiring a company that offer a guarantee is an absolute must. This ensures that a company is trustworthy and that they'll get the job done.
A guarantee simply means that if you encounter a problem after they've done their work then they have to come back and fix it. After all, it is a fault with their handiwork. They will carry out any guarantee work free of charge.
There are several benefits to this.
To start with, it can save you money. If you choose a company that doesn't offer a guarantee and still have a problem with your drains then you may end up paying for the work twice. So you can save yourself time and money by opting for a company that offers a guarantee.
But offering a guarantee also tells you something important about a company's priorities. It shows that they make a commitment to completing their work to the highest standard, no matter how long it takes. It's in their interest to deliver quality work first time round.
When a company doesn't offer a guarantee then they're probably only in it for the cash. They won't focus on the quality of the work. Often they'll charge you a flat fee for the work and try to complete it in record time.
Save yourself the hassle and go for a company that won't cut corners!
Choose a Company with Insurance
Anyone who comes to work on or around your property should have their own insurance. This covers them for any issues that may arise while they're carrying out the work.
For example, let's say they're cleaning a drain blockage and one of your pipes bursts. This leaves you a potential flooding risk and a drainage system that now needs more work on it. An error like this could be expensive to fix.
Similarly, if a flash flood disturbs the work on your drains you could find yourself vulnerable to a bigger flood.
But if a company has insurance then this will cover the damage. They will then fix the fault themselves or reimburse you the cost of an immediate repair. And you won't have to make a claim on your homeowners' policy causing your premiums to skyrocket!
Problems like this are extremely unlikely when you hire a professional company. But accidents do happen and if the company has insurance then you won't have to worry about the outcome. It's another way to ensure that a company has your best interests at heart when you hire them.
Pick the Company that Feels Right For You
At the end of the day, these people are going to be coming into your home. So you have to choose people you feel comfortable with.
Any professional should be willing to produce their credentials when you ask them to. When they arrive they won't mind if you do this. After all, they could just be strangers on your doorstep.
For added assurance and a sense of professionalism, you should hire a reputable company. These will often have branded vehicles and uniforms. This can set your mind at ease when they come to complete the work on your property.
And trust your instincts. If you don't like the feel of a company, then look elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your drains and sewage systems in order is vital for protecting your property. It lowers the risk of flooding damage and keeps your home smelling clean and fresh.
If you can't remember the last time you cleaned your drains then it's probably time to hire in a drain cleaning company. And now you know exactly what to look for!
Get in touch today to book a visit from your local drain cleaning service. Or for more tips on looking after your plumbing, check out our guide on the most common drainage problems in Ottawa.