Are you experiencing a gurgling or slow-draining kitchen, bathroom sink, or shower drain?
If you are a homeowner, then these common plumbing issues are frustratingly familiar to you.
Some of the most common questions we hear from homeowners are:
What causes a drain to clog or drain slowly?
Can you fix a clogged drain yourself?
When should you pay for a professional drain cleaning?
This article will help you overcome the issue of slow drains or clogs, and hopefully help you reduce future clogs. It is a helpful guide to solving household drain clogs, and improving your home plumbing.
How Do I Know if I Have a Clogged Drain?
Whether it’s a kitchen sink, bathtub drain, or shower drain, the most common signs are slow drainage, gurgling sounds coming from the pipes, and foul odors.
You might also notice water backing up in a sink, shower, or toilet. It typically happens slowly, but can worsen over time if nothing is done to fix the underlying issue.
If multiple drains in your home are affected at the same time, it could indicate a clog in your main sewer line.
What Causes Drain Clogs?
Common causes of clogged drains include hair and soap scum in bathroom drains, and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in kitchen drains.
Other culprits can be "flushable" wipes, food scraps, mineral buildup from hard water, and even tree roots that have infiltrated your main sewer line.
Some of the most common causes behind a clogged drain:
- Hair and Soap Scum (Bathroom Drains): In showers and bathtubs, hair is the number one enemy. It combines with soap scum—a waxy residue from bar soaps and body washes—to form stubborn, tangled mats that trap other debris and cause slow drainage.
- Fats, Oils, and Grease (Kitchen Drains): Pouring cooking oils and grease down the kitchen sink is a significant plumbing mistake. While they may be liquid when hot, they solidify as they cool, clinging to pipe walls and gradually building up to form a sticky blockage. This problem is so common that it's commonly known as fatbergs in municipal sewer systems.
- Food Particles and Debris (Garbage Disposals): Certain food scraps can cause trouble even with a garbage disposal. Coffee grounds, eggshells, and starchy foods like rice and pasta can swell up and create a thick sludge. Fibrous vegetables like celery and corn husks can also wrap around the disposal's blades, preventing them from working properly.
- Flushable Wipes and Feminine Hygiene Products: Many products marketed as "flushable" don't break down like toilet paper. These and other non-biodegradable items, like cotton swabs and dental floss, should never be flushed, as they are a leading cause of toilet and main sewer line clogs.
- Mineral Buildup (Hard Water): In areas with hard water, minerals like calcium and magnesium can accumulate on the inside of pipes. This buildup, known as scale, narrows the pipe's diameter over time, reducing water flow and creating a rough surface for other debris to latch onto.
Can I Fix A Clogged Drain Myself?
While it's tempting to keep trying to unclog the drain with drain cleaner, this is often a temporary fix that can do more harm than good in the long run.
Products like Drano, Green Gobbler, and Liquid-Plumr are all available at the hardware store, and can provide a temporary fix. However, the chemicals in these products can corrode your pipes over time, leading to leaks and more costly repairs.
Household drainage cleaners are typically made from either sodium hypochlorate (bleach), sodium hydroxide (lye), or sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, and aluminum.
Some people prefer a natural solution, using baking soda, boiling water, or a drain hair remover stick. Others will add a drain stopper to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the pipes.
Although these options provide a temporary solution, they often don't completely remove the clog, allowing it to re-form quickly. This means buying more of the product and repeating the cycle all over again, costing you more money. Or if you use a stopper, you must continually clean it out to remove the debris.
Understanding the root causes of drain clogs and recognizing the value of professional drain cleaning is the key to maintaining a healthy and functional plumbing system.
When Should I Get a Professional Drain Cleaning?
If you are looking for the most effective way to stop drain clogs, or to unclog a blocked drain, then hiring a professional is a wise option.
You should call a professional plumber if you have a recurring drain clog, if your plunger or a simple snake doesn't work, or if you suspect a more serious issue like a main sewer line blockage.
A professional drain cleaning service has the expertise and experience to properly diagnose and clear the problem. Plumbers have specialized tools and can detect the main issue in minutes and then solve it.
How Professional Drain Cleaning Works
When a simple plunger isn't enough, professional drain cleaning offers a safe and effective solution. Unlike caustic chemical cleaners that can corrode your pipes, professional methods are designed to physically clear the blockage without damaging your plumbing system.
Here's a layman's explanation of how it works:
Imagine your clogged drain is a straw with a piece of gum stuck in the middle. You can't just pour more liquid down it to push the gum out.
A professional plumber has special tools that are like flexible, powerful brushes and cutters designed specifically to get inside the "straw" and scrape, cut, or blast the gum away.
The most common methods a plumber will use include:
- Drain Snaking (Augering): This is the go-to method for most household clogs. The plumber uses a long, flexible cable with a special cutting head on the end. This "drain snake" is fed down the drain and is either rotated by hand or a machine. As it moves through the pipe, the cutting head twists and turns, breaking up the clog—whether it's a mat of hair, a clump of grease, or another obstruction. It essentially "drills" through the blockage, allowing water to flow again.
- Hydro-Jetting: For tougher clogs or more serious buildup, plumbers may use a technique called hydro-jetting. This is the most powerful and thorough cleaning method. A specialized hose with a nozzle is inserted into the pipe. The nozzle emits a high-pressure stream of water—think of it as a powerful pressure washer for the inside of your pipes. This blast of water is strong enough to scour the pipe walls clean of all buildup, including grease, scale, and even tree roots that may have infiltrated a main sewer line. It not only clears the blockage but also restores the pipe to a nearly new condition.
How Much Does Professional Drain Cleaning Cost?
The cost for drain cleaning varies widely depending on the severity of the clog, its location, and the method used.
A basic clog in a sink might cost between $100-$300 to remove, while a main sewer line blockage requiring hydro-jetting could range from $300 to over $600 for a single-family home. It could cost $2000 or more for apartment buildings or commercial offices.
How Often Should I Get a Professional Drain Cleaning?
Most plumbing and drainage experts recommend professional drain cleaning as a preventative measure every one to three years. This is more necessary if you have a history of clogs or an older plumbing system.
However, if you notice any of the warning signs of a clogged drain, it's best to address the issue immediately rather than delay.
The Benefits of a Professional Drain Cleaning
Regular professional drain cleaning is an investment in the long-term health of your home's plumbing. The benefits of a clean, clear household drain system include:
- No More Slow Drainage: Water will flow freely, preventing backups and standing water in your sinks and showers.
- Fewer Drain Clogs: By removing the buildup on pipe walls, you prevent future blockages from forming as quickly.
- Extended Pipe Lifespan: Professional cleaning removes corrosive materials and buildup, reducing the wear and tear on your pipes.
- Elimination of Foul Odors: Clogged drains are often the source of unpleasant smells caused by decaying food and other trapped organic matter. A good cleaning removes the source of the odor.
- Prevention of Costly Emergencies: A small drain clog can turn into a major, costly plumbing emergency if left untreated. Regular maintenance can save you from an expensive main sewer line repair.
Trust Your Wisconsin Drain Cleaning to Our Experienced Team
If you suspect that you might have a drain clog or an issue with your main lines, don't wait for a complete plumbing disaster to strike.
Understanding what goes down your drains and knowing when to call a professional plumber for a proper cleaning can save you from a lot of hassle and expense, ensuring your home's pipes are clear and ready to handle whatever you send their way.
Burkhardt is Wisconsin’s most trusted drain cleaning service. For over 60 years, we have helped communities and Wisconsin homeowners to keep their home plumbing clear and working perfectly. We have offices in Brown Deer and Brookfield, and plumbing technicians ready to help with your household plumbing needs. Call Burkhardt today, or book online, and we’ll be there to help.
.webp)