What’s Lurking in Your Drains? Why a Spring Clean-Out Might Save You Big

Published May 7, 2025

As winter fades and the weather warms up, many homeowners shift into spring cleaning mode—windows are washed, garages are cleared out, and flower beds get a fresh start. However, while you’re tackling the visible parts of your home, one of the most important systems often goes ignored: your drains.

Spring is the perfect time to give your plumbing some attention, especially your drains. Over the winter months, everything from grease buildup and hair clogs to outdoor runoff and root intrusion can start to impact your plumbing system.

If you’re not paying attention, those issues can snowball into slow drains, nasty smells, or even full-blown backups.

Let’s talk about what could be hiding in your drains—and why a seasonal clean-out could save you money, frustration, and some very unpleasant surprises later on.

Your Drains Have Been Busy

Drains are one of those things you don’t think much about—until they stop working. Whether it’s your kitchen sink, shower, or floor drain in the basement, each one quietly handles a lot. Over time, common household waste like food scraps, oils, soap residue, hair, and toothpaste buildup can cling to the walls of your pipes.

In colder months, many households cook more at home, leading to more grease down the drain. Guests over the holidays mean added use of your bathroom and kitchen plumbing. That quiet buildup can start to restrict water flow or even harden into partial blockages.

Add spring pollen, landscaping runoff, and roots looking for moisture in underground lines, and by April or May, your drains might be struggling even if you haven’t had an obvious clog yet.

The Warning Signs of Trouble

If you’ve started noticing water draining slowly from your sink or tub, or you’ve caught a whiff of something funky around your drains, your plumbing system could be signaling that a clean-out is overdue.

Other signs that buildup is forming or a blockage is starting include:

Gurgling or bubbling sounds when water goes down
Water backing up in other fixtures (like the tub filling when the washing machine drains)
Persistent fruit flies or bad smells near the sink
Needing to plunge frequently, even for “small” clogs

At this stage, it’s usually not too late to prevent a bigger problem—but ignoring it could lead to overflows, mold growth, or even structural damage from water backup.

Why Spring Is the Best Time for Drain Cleaning

Warmer weather makes spring the ideal season to perform maintenance on your plumbing system.

First, any issues that built up during winter—fats and oils that hardened in the pipes, sediment that settled in traps—have likely started to cause symptoms. Catching them now helps avoid full clogs in the summer when water usage tends to spike due to outdoor activity, guests, and kids being home more often.

Second, seasonal rain can increase pressure on your sewer system. Heavy spring showers and thawing soil can push more debris into your outdoor drain lines. Roots are especially aggressive in spring and will find even the tiniest crack in your sewer line.

A good inspection and cleaning now can prevent a messy backup in the months ahead.

Finally, if you’re already tackling spring home maintenance, adding a drain inspection or cleaning service is a smart move that fits right into your schedule.

What’s Involved in a Professional Drain Cleaning?

When you schedule a professional drain clean-out, you’re not just getting a plunger or some store-bought chemical dumped down your pipes. A licensed plumber uses specialized tools and techniques that are safe for your plumbing system—and much more effective.

Depending on the condition of your pipes, services might include:

Video camera inspection to check for buildup, cracks, or root intrusion
Snaking or cabling to remove stubborn clogs or blockages
Hydro jetting to blast away debris and fully clean pipe walls
Trap or vent line clearing to improve water flow and prevent odor

It’s also a great opportunity to get a health check on your plumbing overall. If you’re experiencing repeat clogs, it may be a sign that a larger issue is forming, like a misaligned pipe, collapsed sewer line, or improperly vented system.

Clean Drains Can Save You Money

A spring clean-out might seem like a chore, but it’s a smart investment in your home’s longevity and efficiency. Left unchecked, drain buildup can lead to:

Water damage from backups or overflows
Pipe corrosion or leaks from aggressive clogs
Emergency plumber fees when something overflows at night or on a weekend
Mold or mildew growth that’s hard and expensive to remediate

In contrast, seasonal maintenance keeps water flowing freely, reduces wear on your plumbing, and helps you avoid the stress of a plumbing emergency.

And here’s the good news—it’s usually fast and affordable, especially compared to the cost of cleanup or repair if something goes wrong.

When to Call a Professional

Some homeowners try to treat slow drains with chemical cleaners, but those products can do more harm than good. Over-the-counter drain cleaners contain harsh ingredients that can damage your pipes—especially if you have older plumbing—and they rarely address the actual root of the problem.

If your drains are draining slowly, you’ve had recurring clogs, or you just want peace of mind heading into the warmer months, it’s time to get a professional inspection.

At Elite Plumbing & Home Services, we help homeowners throughout Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Severna Park, Annapolis, and nearby areas keep their drains clear and their plumbing running smoothly. Whether it’s a routine clean-out or you need help solving a persistent issue, our licensed team offers straightforward service, honest pricing, and second-opinion options if you’ve already had a quote.

A Small Step Now, Big Savings Later

Don’t wait for a gurgling drain to turn into a flooded bathroom. Adding a spring drain clean-out to your seasonal home checklist can help you prevent major plumbing issues and extend the life of your system.