Clogged drains are not only an inconvenience, they can also pose a hazard to your health and lead to property damage if left unaddressed. While attempting to clear a clogged drain with a plunger is a good first step for any homeowner to attempt, if plunging fails, it’s time to call for professional drain cleaning service.
Your local drain cleaning services company has the tools and the experience to quickly determine the cause of any plumbing system blockage and remove it without risking further damage to your drain pipe or your home. Professional drain cleaning service will not only solve your issue over the short term, but also result in cleaner, healthier drains that will perform better over the long term as well.
If you have a clogged drain that needs immediate attention, find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location to book your drain cleaning appointment online right away!
Clog Assessment
Most clogs form when organic debris such as food scraps, skin cells, hair, soap scum, and dirt and other particles accumulate inside your drain lines. If your home has hard water, naturally-occurring minerals in your water can also cause buildup on pipe and drain walls over time, further increasing the risk of a clog. Although plunging can effectively break up loose or forming clogs, larger or tougher clogs need professional plumbing service to remove properly.
The first step in any professional drain cleaning service is an assessment of the problems you are experiencing, the type of drain with the issue, and the condition of the drain.
What Is a Video Drain Inspection?
One of the most essential tools in the plumbing sector is a video camera. Plumbing experts may use specially built waterproof video cameras to inspect sewer lines and other underground pipes, such as those under cement or below your home's foundation, using visible light.
A trained and experienced technician inserts a rod with a high-resolution video camera on its tip into your sewage lines to start your sewer camera inspection. These high-tech drain cameras are mobile, able to travel through twists and turns in sewage lines, as well as inspect pipes and pipe walls.
The technician is able to observe the video footage in real time, so he or she can evaluate the inside of your sewage and drain lines right away. You'll be able to see any issues on a screen and save video for future reference.
Clog Removal
Once we've identified that a clogged drain is your issue, our drain clearing experts will get to work. There are different way to remove drain clogs. Here is a quick overview of some of the most essential information about drain cleaning solutions, including how they function and when your property requires it.
Drain Snaking
Most stubborn clogs that do not respond to plunging can be removed via snaking, which uses a long, thin cable that is extended into your drain to hook or break up the clog using a pointed attachment at the end. Snakes may be hand-cranked or motor-operated, depending on the length and diameter of your drain and the type of clog you are facing.
If your plumbing has been damaged by the clog, such as the invasion of tree roots into a sewer line, your plumber will also recommend professional pipe repair to eliminate leaks and restore pipe integrity.
Drain Auger
In essence, handheld drain augers and drain snakes are both flexible cable devices that perform similarly. On certain big devices, the drum can contain anything from a few feet to 100+ feet of cable. You insert the line into the drain and twist it to pierce or grasp the blockage.
The size of the drain they're designed to clear is where these tools go in different directions. Drain snakes are used for smaller drains, such as a kitchen or bathroom sink. Drain augers are used for larger pipes, such as your toilet or shower drain. The snake covers lines ranging from 1 1/4" to 2" in diameter, and an auger may be utilized for lines ranging from 1 1/2" to 3". Your plumber will determine which tool is necessary.
Hydro-Jetting
If your plumber finds that hard water or other buildup has led to an increased risk of clog development, he may suggest a service such as hydro-jetting to scour away stubborn buildup from the interior of your pipes. Slow-moving drains and blocked sewage pipes may be cleaned with hydro jetting, a type of drain cleaning. Water jetting is a procedure that professional plumbers frequently use, utilizing a hydro jetting machine that uses a blast of high pressure water up to 4000 psi to clean drains and destroy hard, tenacious blockages.
The regular use of an enzymatic drain cleaner may also be recommended to prevent organic buildup from recurring without risking the damage to your pipes that can be caused by caustic drain cleaning products.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Typically, chemical drain cleaners you can buy at the store can do more harm than good to your main sewer drain and pipes. At ARS/Rescue Rooter, our plumbers use a specialized formula that liquefies and disperses grease, soap scum, food residue, and other waste build up.
DrainRight® Drain Maintainer not only keeps your drain pipes flowing freely, it also cleans and deodorizes drains lines, vent lines, and grease traps. DrainRight® Drain Maintainer is:
- 100% biodegradable, so it won’t harm your pipes or the environment
- Non-acidic
- Non-caustic
- Non-corrosive and safe to use on any kind of pipe or drain
In other words, DrainRight is 100% biodegradable and safe for home plumbing.
Home Remedy Drain Cleaners and DIY Tools
There are some things around the house you could use to remove soft obstructions in your drains. However, so of these tricks and specialty items work and others do not.
You can use household items like baking soda and vinegar to clear away and clean your drains. These sort of kitchen chemistry solutions are good things to remember as an annual way to remove clog particles and prevent new clogs.
Items like air burst drain cleaners are sometimes sold in stores and online for removing clogs, but many have found these items to not work.
It's always best to trust a professional plumber for the best method of removing and preventing future clogs.
Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning From ARS/Rescue Rooter
Clean, efficient drains and sewer lines are a necessity for a healthy, comfortable, and efficient home. If you need help with drain cleaning service, our experienced plumbers offer fast service and convenient appointments so you can receive the professional assistance you need without disruption to your daily schedule.
Find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location or call at 866-399-2885 to book a drain cleaning appointment today!
