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Drain Cleaning- When Should You call a Professional?

8/14/2018

12 Comments

 
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There are many reasons a drain can clog, but that doesn't mean you have time to deal with it. A giant wad of toilet paper, a ball of hair, or even a children's toy can be to blame. It's never a fun situation to be in to have your toilet overflow or the sink fill with water that just won't go down. So what do you do?

Here are a few simple tips for unclogging a drain, but remember it's not always easier to "do it yourself".
​
Clogged Kitchen Sink:
Left over food can accumulate on the drain pipe wall which can clog a sink. 
You can try:
  • Running water hot down the drain to help soften and move the clog. 
  • Wait a few minutes and then try using a plunger.
  • Repeat with the hot water. 
    • Be sure to be careful with the hot water!
How can you prevent this from happening?
Always make sure to dispose of oil and grease by letting them solidify and throwing in to the garbage.

Clogged Toilet
There are several reasons why the toilet can clog!
  • Your first method of attack should be the plunger. Try using it to clear the clog.
  • You can also try an inexpensive hand-powered drain auger to help break up or retrieve the item. This can be tricky and can sometimes cause more harm than good. 

How do you prevent it from happening?
Make sure your household is only flushing water and paper that quickly dissolve in water. Items like cotton swabs, dental floss, diaper wipes, and feminine hygiene products do not belong in the toilet. 
Keep your toilets clean to help fresh water flowing freely!

Clogged Drain Pipes
Dirt and gunk can accumulate on the walls of your drain pipes which can reduce water flow.
  • You can start by removing and cleaning the drain stopper. Sometimes hair and other items can get stuck causing a blockage.
  • Use a plunger! Remember to block the overflow drain in the sink or tub.
  • Try removing the drain's elbow joint to clean it out. 
How do you prevent this from happening?
Clean out the drain stoppers regularly to prevent clogs. You can also use a hair strainer/drain cover to prevent items from going down the drain.

These are just a few examples of clogged drains with a few fixes for simple problems. If you find that they  aren't working or it's stressing you out to think about fixing it yourself, give us a call.  After all, that's what we are here for!



12 Comments
Sam Li link
5/7/2019 10:29:58 am

I like your advice about only flushing water and paper that can dissolve with water in order to avoid clogging your drain. I believe that having your drains cleaned by a professional is the best way to keep your plumbing system in check. My brother has a clogged drain on his property, so I'll make sure to help him find a septic service that can take care of his needs.

Reply
Chance Cook link
8/30/2021 08:09:19 am

I'll didn't know that dirt can accumulate in your drain pipes. That just sounds like a disaster. Hopefully, I can avoid this by having it cleaned regularly.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
10/8/2021 02:02:07 am

The other day I noticed that my drains are starting to smell. I never knew that it is a sign to have the drains cleaned. I will definitely look at hiring an experienced plumber to have my drains cleand to prevent it from clogging.

Reply
Greta James link
10/11/2021 07:39:59 pm

It is good advice to dispose of grease and oil by throwing it in the garbage rather than down the drain. I noticed yesterday that my kitchen drain is moving very slowly and I suspect it has a clog somewhere. I don't have the knowledge or expertise to find it on my own, so I think I should contact a professional in my area who can help me solve the problem quickly and efficiently.

Reply
John Carston link
11/2/2021 09:53:42 pm

I like how you mentioned that it is important to make sure your household is only flushing water to prevent future problems. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he wants to get their drain cleaned due to clogging and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that he can consult a trusted drain cleaning service as they can answer all his inquiries.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
11/9/2021 07:18:25 pm

The other day my wife noticed that our drains are clogged and she is looking to have it cleaned. I appreciate that this post mentioned that when looking for drain cleaners, it is important to consider their method and experience. Assuming that I need my drains cleaned, I will keep these tips in mind.

Reply
Mats Wolff link
11/17/2021 11:26:05 am

I like how you mentioned some of the things to know before calling a drain cleaning professional. I just purchase a home and do not want to have drain problems. I need to look for a drain cleaning professional in case I need his services in the future.

Reply
Braden Bills link
12/16/2021 06:40:33 am

My toilet has been getting clogged a lot, and I'm not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to help me out with this. I can see how a proper cleaning out would be important, after all.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
1/5/2022 01:43:28 am

Thank you for explaining that you should ensure that your family is only flushing water and paper that dissolves quickly in water because items like cotton swabs, dental floss, diaper wipes, and feminine hygiene products do not belong in the toilet. That's probably why our toilet is now clogging. I should get assistance from a plumber near our area as soon as possible to do the drain cleaning before it results in major damage.

Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
1/10/2022 03:47:46 pm

I do agree with what you said that you shouldn't leave clogged drains unattended since they can do severe damage to your plumbing. I have been thinking about owning a home for a while now so I can propose to my girlfriend. I'll keep your suggestions in mind and find a plumber that can fix mine in the future.

Reply
Jeff Carbine link
2/3/2022 03:12:39 am

I appreciate that you explained a colossal wad of toilet paper, a clump of hair, or even a child's toy might be to blame. My best friend is looking for some info, this should help him. I appreciate that you helped me learn more about drain cleaning.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
2/10/2022 10:25:08 pm

Thanks for sharing that when our pipes and drains are slow, it is encouraged that we hire a drain cleaner to have it inspected to ensure that the issue is resolved before it escalates. The other day my wife said that our drains are beginning to slow. I will look at having a plumber hired to have the drains cleaned.

Reply



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