Drain cleaning is one of those maintenance tasks nobody schedules — until they need it twice in one year.
The honest answer: a healthy household drain system should be professionally cleaned every 18–24 months. Here's why.
## What builds up
Hair, soap scum, kitchen grease, mineral scale, and the occasional kid's toy. Even careful households accumulate enough debris over two years to slow flow noticeably.
## DIY vs professional
Store-bought drain chemicals damage older pipes and rarely clear the full blockage. A hydro-jetting service clears the entire pipe wall back to bare metal or PVC.
## Signs you're overdue
- Gurgling when other fixtures drain
- Slow tub or shower
- Recurring odor from the kitchen sink
