Drain Cleaning – How to Get Rid of Clogged Drains and Sewer Lines

All the drains in your home connect to your plumbing system’s main piping. If your drains are clogged or you smell a foul odor, it is time to call the pros for professional drain cleaning services.

Avoid clogs by being careful what you put down your drains. Practicing regular drain maintenance also helps. Click the Drain Cleaning Perth to learn more.

The primary function of chemical drain cleaners is to dissolve organic clog materials like hair and grease. They can also break down other types of clogs including those caused by inorganic materials such as mineral deposits and rust. Chemical drain cleaners are liquids that are poured directly into the blocked drain and allowed to react with the clog for a period of time. They are available in a wide variety of formulations to target specific types of clogs.

For example, sulfuric acid drain cleaners have high concentrations that quickly break down proteins and fats. While they are extremely effective against many common clogs, they can damage pipes if used too frequently or on older, metal plumbing systems. Because of their corrosive nature, we only recommend the use of acid-based drain cleaners in cases where other methods of clearing a drain have failed.

To minimize the likelihood of damage, always follow the product instructions carefully. In particular, make sure to remove as much water as possible from sinks and other drains before applying the drain cleaner and to properly ventilate the work area. Also, do not mix different drain cleaners as this can result in chemical reactions that produce harmful fumes and may cause pipe damage.

When using any type of chemical drain cleaner, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect against splashes and spills. In addition, make sure to work in an area that is well-ventilated as these products often emit strong odors and can be damaging to the eyes and skin. In addition, always check the product label for proper application rates and usage guidelines. It is also a good idea to have a professional plumber evaluate the clog and determine if a more targeted approach is required.

Mechanical Drain Snakes

Drain snakes, also known as plumber’s snakes or augers, consist of a long, flexible steel cable that you manually feed into a clogged drain line. At the end of the cable is an auger head that’s shaped like a corkscrew to allow it to bore into and latch onto solid waste blockages. These specialized tools come in a range of cable lengths to accommodate different drain pipe sizes and depths of obstruction.

The key to snaking a drain successfully is to slowly rotate the handle, feeding the snake into the pipe until it encounters an obstruction. Once the snake hooks onto the clog, it either breaks up or drags it away from the pipe, freeing the line and allowing water to flow freely. You can also use the handle to maneuver the snake around bends and curves in your plumbing pipes as you feed it through.

While DIY snaking can be an effective solution for minor blockages, persistent or severe ones should be handled by a professional to avoid causing further damage to your plumbing system. If your snaking efforts are unsuccessful or don’t provide immediate relief, it could signal a larger problem with your home’s sewer system that requires more advanced professional equipment to resolve.

If you have a major drain clog and are ready to try snaking it yourself, start by removing your sink’s P-trap. You can usually do this by loosening a screw on the bottom of the trap, and then removing the curved pipe section beneath it. It’s important to wear gloves and safety glasses while handling liquid drain cleaners or chemical-based drain openers. You should also brace the snake drum against your body for stability when cranking the handle. If you feel any strain or resistance while rotating the snake, that indicates you’ve encountered a stubborn clog that may require additional tools to break it up.

Hydro-Jetting

This process involves spraying high-pressure water through your drain and sewer lines. It can cut through clogs, wash away debris, and dissolve grease and soap scum. Plumbers use special equipment that produces water at about 4000 pounds per square inch (psi).

Over time, a variety of materials accumulate inside pipes, including grease and fats, hair, soap scum, silt, and mineral deposits. This material builds up and coats the inside walls of pipes, causing slow drainage and clogs. Hydro jetting is one of the safest, most effective ways to clear clogs and thoroughly clean your pipes. It also dramatically reduces the risk of future plumbing problems.

The power of hydro jetting also makes it an ideal choice for municipal and commercial sewer lines. The vast size of these lines, coupled with the large volume of sewage they carry, make them more susceptible to buildup than your home drains. A clog in the main line can lead to sluggish drains, toilet backups, and even sewage overflows. Hydro jetting can clear a large section of pipe quickly and completely.

While hydro jetting is an excellent solution for most drain and sewer line blockages, it’s important to consult with a professional before deciding to have this procedure performed. In some cases, the pressure of hydro jetting could damage older or fragile pipes. In addition, a video inspection of the pipe is required before using this powerful drain-clearing method. This inspection can help a plumber determine whether the problem is caused by structural damage or tree root penetrations. In these situations, the plumber may recommend alternative solutions. For example, a plumber might use a snake to break up the clog before hydro jetting it.

Enzyme Cleaners

Enzyme cleaners are a green cleaning solution that accelerates the natural biodegradation of organic residues. They are particularly effective at breaking down the protein-based stains and odors found on fabrics and in drain lines. They are safe to use on a wide range of surfaces, but should be tested for colorfastness on a small area before general use. They are also one of the safest options for treating odors, as they don’t mask the odor with chemicals like perfumes and dyes, but rather eliminate it by speeding up the decomposition of organic material.

Laundry: Typically used as a pre-soak before laundering, enzyme cleaners can help remove blood spots and protein-based stains on clothing and linens. They are gentler than chlorine bleach, and don’t cause bleaching or color loss.

Restrooms: Enzyme cleaners fortified with bacteria are extremely effective at removing restroom odors, especially urine odor. They work by penetrating into cracks, crevices and fibers to break down and neutralize odors.

Drains: Using a bio-enzyme maintenance product can help prevent clogs and drain line slowing from food waste, grease, oils and fats that often build up in restaurant drain lines. It can also eliminate odors caused by trapped rotting waste and help prevent fruit flies and other insects from breeding in drains.

Cleaning Equipment and Tools: Regularly rinsing dirty mops, buckets and scrubber/extractor recovery tanks with bio-enzyme products helps to keep them clean, sanitary and odor free. It can also extend the life of these items by preventing the growth of bacterial biofilms that cause them to deteriorate. This is an especially important step to take in food service environments where deteriorating mops and buckets can lead to a variety of bacterial illnesses.

Video Inspection

If your home experiences regular drain clogs or slow drainage, or if you notice signs of a sewer backup (including raw sewage smells in the house), it may be time to schedule a video inspection. This is a modern plumbing technology that allows plumbers to view your pipes visually, determining the cause of your problems quickly and accurately.

Most drain clogs form when organic debris, including food scraps, hair, soap scum, skin cells, and dirt build up inside your drain lines. If left unchecked, these materials will clog your drain opening and over time, will lead to a complete blockage of your pipes. Even though you can attempt to clear these clogs yourself by pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drain, this will only dissolve smaller blockages. Larger and more stubborn clogs require professional drain cleaning services.

A specialized camera placed at the end of a flexible pipe guides a camera lens into your drain pipe, showing the plumbers exactly what they’re dealing with in real-time on an attached monitor. The camera will highlight any cracks, misalignments, obstructions, or root intrusions in your pipes and identify the location of the clog. With this information, the plumber can determine the best way to clear your clogged pipes and provide you with a more accurate quote.

While a video inspection can help identify the source of your problem, it cannot fix pre-existing damages to your plumbing system or prevent future clogs and blockages. To avoid costly repairs and keep your drains functioning optimally, it is recommended to have them professionally cleaned twice per year. You can easily request a video inspection using our online portal.