A Comprehensive Guide to Professional Drain Cleaning

What Exactly Is Drain Cleaning – And When Is It Needed?

Nearly every homeowner will have to deal with a clogged drain at some point. It’s just a part of owning a home. It may be a toilet that won’t flush, a shower that won’t drain fast enough, or a backed-up sink. No matter what form it takes, the culprit is usually either a big clump of material jamming up a pipe or a years-old buildup of grease and debris that’s finally reached critical mass. In either case, drain cleaning is the solution. But professional drain cleaning is much different than just pouring store-bought chemicals down the drain and hoping for the best. The former is much safer and more effective, while the latter can damage the plumbing and may not solve the problem. This article will explain how professional drain cleaning works and how to tell when it’s needed!

Signs It’s Time for Drain Cleaning

There are several telltale signs that drain cleaning is needed, and fortunately, they’re pretty hard to miss. They include:

• Sinks, tubs, or showers are draining slowly.
• The toilets aren’t flushing properly.
• Sewage is backing up out of drains.
• Foul odors coming from drains.
• Gurgling sounds coming from drains or pipes.

The clog may be limited to a single drain pipe if these issues affect just one drain. If this clog can’t be resolved using a plunger or store-bought drain snake, it’s probably time to call a pro for drain cleaning. If multiple drains are clogged or draining slowly, it likely indicates a sewer line clog, in which case professional drain cleaning is the only option.

Drain Snakes for Clogs

Professional plumbers like to use two main methods for drain cleaning. The first is drain snaking, also known as plumber’s snake or drain auger. It uses a flexible metal coil resembling a spring with a corkscrew-like head on one end. The snake is fed into the clogged pipe and rotated to "drill" into the obstruction, allowing the plumber to pull it out or break it apart.

A professional plumber’s snake can range from 25 to 100 feet long. The longer ones are usually motor-powered and can be used to cut through invasive tree roots in sewer lines. Drain snakes are often highly effective at removing clogs and can help loosen old buildup inside pipes of all sizes.

Hydro Jetting for Drain Clogs and Prevention

The second drain-cleaning method favored by professionals is called hydro jetting. This involves a long hose with a special nozzle on the end. The other end of the hose is attached to a machine that can pressurize water to as much as 4,000 PSI. As the hose is fed into a clogged sewer line or pipe, the nozzle sprays a high-powered water jet straight ahead while spraying backward in a cone pattern to clean the pipe walls and propel the hose forward.

Hydro jetting not only blasts through the toughest clogs but also removes residue and buildup from the pipes, helping to prevent future clogs – something a plumber’s snake cannot do. For this reason, many homeowners like to schedule hydro jet drain cleaning every two to five years as part of a preventative plumbing maintenance plan.

So, even if homeowners aren’t currently experiencing signs of drain clogs, they would do well to ask their plumber about the possibility of drain cleaning!

About Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc

Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc has been one of the most highly-rated plumbers in Seaside, CA, and the surrounding areas for nearly 80 years. As a family-owned business, they have earned countless 5-star customer reviews and several awards, including Nextdoor’s “Neighborhood Favorite” award. They offer 24/7 emergency service, competitive up-front pricing, financing, and a money-saving membership program – so don’t hesitate to call Chris Wilson for drain cleaning in Seaside, CA!

Contact Information:

Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc

1112 Phoenix Ave Ste B
Seaside, CA 93955
United States

Christopher Wilson Jr.
(831) 309-0991
https://www.chriswilsonplumbing.com/