When you have a plumbing clog, you can schedule a drain cleaning or clearing service. These two services are different, and they meet different needs in your plumbing system. Here are tips for knowing when you need drain clearing versus cleaning:
What Is Drain Clearing?
Drain clearing can be a short-term solution for removing mild clogs that are close to the surface. During this process, a plumber inserts a plumbing snake or auger into the targeted area to remove minor blockages in your drains. This expert punctures the blockage to ease drainage within your pipes.
With drain clearing, a plumber opens your drains to restore temporary water flow. Blockage can reoccur due to the remaining clogs sticking to the insides of your pipes. Drain opening or clearing can be cost-effective, but the results are less effective. Qualified plumbers can clear your drains to remove the following clogs:
- Hair
- Grease
- Household waste
This process can be a preventative measure to keep your drains flowing and prevent severe clogs. Here are signs you have mild clogs that require drain clearing:
- Slow-moving drains: Foreign objects can cause water to flow slowly in your drains. At this stage, the blockage could be minimal, allowing slow drainage.
- Gurgling sounds: The gurgling noises could be air sitting below the clogs, causing bubbles. If your drains produce such sounds, the clog is blocking the pipes partially. Water could still drain through your plumbing systems but at a slower rate.
- Dirt, debris, and grime residue on drains: If you notice food particles in the kitchen sink or grime residue in the bathroom tub, you have mild clogs. Dirt and other residue can get pushed back up the drains due to poor drainage.
- Sour milk smell from drains: Mild clogs can cause a sour milk smell in your drains due to bacteria, mold, and organic matter accumulation.
What Is Drain Cleaning?
Drain cleaning dislodges clogs and flushes out obstructions in your plumbing system. A qualified plumber may use a fiber-optic video camera to determine what’s causing the blockage. During drain cleaning, a plumber uses a hydro-jetting machine to remove sludge from your pipes. A hydro jetter creates high-powered water pressure to eliminate stubborn clogs.
If roots have invaded your pipes and blocked them, experts use a cutter blade or cabling system tool to remove debris. Plumbers can also use motorized augers to cut through tree roots and other forms of severe clogs within your pipes. Accordion plungers can remove clogs in your toilets, while a cup plunger handles sink clogs. Stubborn clogs can have the following signs:
- Sewer smell: If your drains emit sewer or rotten egg odors, you could be dealing with severe clogs. Bacteria and gunk buildup can contribute to bad stenches within your home.
- Sewage backflow: Sewer backup to your drains can be a sign of a severe blockage that’s preventing wastewater from flowing. Solid materials or foreign objects accumulate inside pipes and become big enough to hinder drainage.
- Multiple clogged drains: If you have multiple clogged drains in your household, your main drain line could have a serious obstruction. Food waste, toys, and jewelry can cause severe blogs in various drains.
- Frequent blockage: Wipes, feminine products, and paper towels can cause frequent blockage in your drains. These clogs can become stubborn over time when you don’t address them.
Choosing Drain Cleaning or Drain Clearing
You can schedule drain cleaning or clearing, depending on your plumbing needs. If you are dealing with constant clogs, drain cleaning can be a good fit for these issues. Once you schedule drain clearing and the blockage persists, plumbers can clean your drains.
Experienced plumbers can determine the severity of the clogs and suggest whether you need drain cleaning or opening. Drain cleaning can offer long-lasting results and extend the lifespan of your pipes since clogs can damage pipes. Plumbers inspect the status of the pipes post-cleaning to see if the blockage is flushed out.
Get a Quality Drain Clearing Today
Drain clearing can be a viable option to eliminate minor blockages in your plumbing system. Plumbers use specialized tools and techniques to tackle clogs in your drains. This drain service may help you avoid plumbing emergencies like severely-blocked pipes. Get quality drain clearing to have better-flowing pipes in your household.
