What You Should Know About Drain Cleaning

What You Should Know About Drain Cleaning

A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. Whether it’s a slow-draining sink, a backed-up shower, or a completely blocked pipe, drain cleaning is essential to maintaining a smooth-flowing plumbing system. Knowing the right cleaning methods and when to call a professional can save you from costly repairs. 

Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Drains can become blocked due to various reasons, including:

Hair & Soap Scum – A major cause of clogs in bathroom sinks and showers.

Food Waste & Grease – Cooking oils, fats, and food scraps can build up in kitchen sinks.
Foreign Objects – Items like wipes, paper towels, and toys can block toilets and pipes.
Mineral Buildup – Hard water deposits can gradually reduce water flow.
Tree Roots – Outdoor sewer lines can be invaded by roots, causing severe blockages.

DIY Drain Cleaning Methods

For minor clogs, try these home remedies:
✅ Boiling Water – Pouring hot water down the drain can dissolve grease and soap buildup.
✅ Baking Soda & Vinegar – A natural cleaning method that helps break down gunk.
✅ Plunger – A simple and effective tool for sinks, tubs, and toilets.
✅ Drain Snake (Auger) – Helps remove stubborn blockages deep within the pipes.

 

When to Call a Professional

If home remedies don’t work, it may be time to seek expert help. Signs that you need professional drain cleaning include:
🚨 Recurring Clogs – Frequent blockages may indicate a deeper issue.
🚨 Slow Drains – Water taking longer to drain suggests a partial blockage.
🚨 Bad Odors – Foul smells from the drain could mean rotting debris or sewer gas.
🚨 Gurgling Sounds – Air trapped in clogged pipes can create unusual noises.
🚨 Multiple Clogged Drains – When multiple fixtures back up, it could signal a main sewer line problem.

 

Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning

Hiring a licensed plumber ensures your drains are thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Techniques like hydro jetting (high-pressure water cleaning) and video camera inspections can remove buildup and detect potential pipe damage.

 

Preventative Maintenance

To keep your drains in good shape, avoid pouring grease down the sink, install drain strainers, and schedule routine drain inspection

How Do Drain Clogs Form?

Your plumbing system works hard every day. Even minor failures can have a cascading effect and result in a clog. To avoid future clogs, try to avoid the following:

• Hard Water

Hard water is usually a component of your water system. However, it does not stay that way as the sediment eventually settles at the bottom of the pipes. It is critical to handle hard water since it might clog your home’s plumbing system.

• Inorganic Waste

You do not want to throw anything down your garbage disposal that is not food scraps, and you do not want to flush anything that is not organic waste. If you do, you will end up putting yourself on a fast track to a clogged drain.

• Fat, Oil, and Grease

Many homeowners are surprised to realize that pouring fats, oils, and grease down the kitchen drain causes costly, unnecessary sewer blockages. The environment is also affected when these spills overflow into storm drains and directly into the bay damaging the habitat of local fish and wildlife . These blockages can cause devastating sewage backups directly into homes and businesses.

Now that you understand how drain clogs form, you should become acquainted with how the Option One team tackles them.

How We Handle Clogs

There are two basic methods we use to deal with a drain clog. We either use a motorized drain snake or hydro-jetting services.

A motorized drain snake is a more sophisticated form of an auger. Our skilled and experienced plumbers dig down into clogs, break them up or remove them with a corkscrew motion. We understand that you have access to augers as a homeowner, but we do not recommend that you use them on your own. Professional service provides you with the assurance that the job is done right the first time.

Hydro-jetting is another method we might use to clear your drain clog. With hydro-jetting, a highly pressurized stream of water is blasted into your drainage system. This clears your drains of any hard water deposits or other dirt and debris accumulated over time.

Why Should You Put Your Trust in an Expert?

You should always seek the help of an expert for your residential plumbing problems. We have said it before, and we will say it again because it is so important. With professional plumbing services, you can ensure that your plumbing needs are met now while also keeping your plumbing system in great shape in the future.

At Option One, we have the experts you can trust. We are dedicated to bringing homeowners in California, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming quality and affordable plumbing solutions. Call us at 1-800-905-7115 or write to us at wo@optiononeplumbing.com to request a quote today!