You keep your bathroom spotless. You wipe down the counters, scrub the toilet, and mop the floors. Yet, every time you walk in, you see them—tiny, fuzzy black moths hovering around your sink or shower drain.
You aren’t dealing with a hygiene problem in your room; you are dealing with a hygiene problem inside your pipes.
At Plumber 007, we often get calls from Paramount homeowners wondering if their plumbing is broken because of these pests. The short answer is: your plumbing isn’t broken, but it is dirty. Here is the plumber’s perspective on why these pests appear and how to stop them.
The Culprit: What is “Biofilm”?
Drain flies (often called sewer gnats or moth flies) do not drink water; they feed on decaying organic matter. In the plumbing world, we call this biofilm.
Every time you shower, shave, or wash dishes, a combination of soap scum, hair, skin cells, and grease washes down the drain. Over time, this creates a gelatinous slime that coats the inside walls of your pipes. This slime is the perfect breeding ground for drain fly larvae.
Identifying the Enemy
Before you start pouring things down the drain, you must confirm you are fighting the right battle. Fruit flies look for rotting fruit in the kitchen, whereas drain flies are fuzzy, moth-like, and hang out near sources of moisture and sewage.
Because this is a specific infestation, you need a specific strategy. While we handle the pipes, we recommend you consult a dedicated resource for the infestation itself. You can read this comprehensive guide on how to get rid of drain flies to understand their lifecycle and how to confirm they are breeding in your drains.
Why Drano Isn’t the Answer
When homeowners see bugs in the drain, their first instinct is often to grab a harsh chemical drain opener. As licensed plumbers, we strongly advise against this for two reasons:
- It Damages Pipes: Harsh chemicals generate heat and can corrode older metal pipes or warp plastic PVC pipes found in many Paramount homes.
- It’s Temporary: Chemicals might wash away a few flies, but they rarely remove the thick biofilm layer where the eggs are hiding.
The Permanent Fix: Deep Cleaning Your Drains
To stop the infestation permanently, you have to remove their food source. If there is no sludge, the flies have nowhere to lay eggs.
For minor buildup, you can try using an enzyme-based drain cleaner, which eats away organic waste without burning your pipes. However, for stubborn recurring infestations, professional cleaning is often required.
At Plumber 007, we use methods like Hydro-Jetting to scour the inside of your pipes with high-pressure water. This restores the pipe to a “like-new” condition, completely blasting away the biofilm and the eggs, ensuring the flies don’t return.
Need Help with Your Paramount Plumbing?
Whether you have a slow drain, a hidden leak, or need a professional clean-out to keep pests away, Plumber 007 is ready for the mission.
Contact Plumber 007 Plumbing Services Paramount today at +1 562-242-2124 for reliable service you can trust.