While regular home maintenance (like using a baking soda and vinegar solution or a plunger) is helpful, the general industry standard for preventative professional drain cleaning is once every one to two years. Key considerations:

Preventative Maintenance: An annual or biennial cleaning helps remove gradual buildup (grease, soap scum, hair) before it forms a major blockage, extending the lifespan of your plumbing system.

Lifestyle: Homes with frequent drain usage, residents with long hair, or older plumbing systems may benefit from more frequent cleanings.

Warning Signs: If you notice slow draining, persistent odors, or gurgling sounds, you should schedule a professional cleaning immediately, regardless of when the last service was performed.

A deep clog is indicated if multiple plumbing fixtures (like a toilet, shower, and sink) are backing up, draining slowly, or gurgling at the same time, suggesting an issue in a main or branch line.

Professionals typically use a CCTV camera inspection to locate the clog, followed by tools like a motorisedd auger (snake) to break up the blockage, or hydro-jetting to scour the pipe walls with high-pressure water.

A sewer backup is confirmed if multiple fixtures are slow or backing up simultaneously, or if you see sewage coming up from a low-level drain (like a basement floor drain or an outdoor cleanout pipe).

Strong chemical drain cleaners containing sodium hydroxide (lye) or sulfuric acid can dissolve hair but are risky for pipes. A safer alternative is an enzymatic drain cleaner, though the most effective method is physical removal using a professional drain snake or auger.