How Do I Know if I Need My Drains to Be Cleaned Or Cleared?

When it comes to fixing your home’s clogged pipes, sometimes the problem is deeper beneath the surface than it appears! Know the difference between whether your clogged drain requires a simple fix or whether your blocked drain is a symptom of a larger plumbing issue.

Does my clogged drain require a drain clearing or a drain cleaning?

A clogged drain is easy to spot. Your sink is backing up, and you panic! Your toilet or kitchen sink seems to drain slowly. Sometimes that clog is fairly easy to get to, and using a drain auger or simple plumbing snake can do the trick to clearing that clog. But, there are other times when a clog is the symptom of a larger problem.

Put simply, drain clearing removes the immediate offender causing a clog in your home’s drain. Drain cleaning works on your plumbing system’s greater symptomatic issues, including gunk, hair, and other materials that can accumulate over time in your home’s pipes. This can cause poor performance and eventually habitual clogging.

How are drains cleared?

In the case of your plumbing, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Limiting what you put down your drains, including household waste, hair, grease, and other items can help keep your drains functioning properly.

But, if you find yourself with a clogged drain, clearing it is a short-term solution to getting it up and running again. Some clogs can be cleared with a simple mix of hot water and a 1:1 baking soda and vinegar solution. Other clogs close to the surface of the drain can be removed using a plumber’s snake or auger. It’s best to leave deeper clogs in the hands of a professional plumber who has the expertise and the tools to clear your home’s clogged pipes without risking damage to your plumbing infrastructure.

Multiple clogged drains or drains that back up in one part of your home when you run water in another point to a larger issue. A clogged sewer line can affect the entire plumbing system of your home. Plumbing professionals using sewer line cameras can identify the cause of the blocked sewer line and either repair or, in some cases, recommend replacement. Know the signs of a broken sewer pipe and contact an expert immediately to avoid further costly damage.

How are drains cleaned?

If your plumbing snake has a permanent spot next to your toothbrush, you are experiencing too many clogged drains, and it may be time to have your drains cleaned. The process begins with a history of your home’s drain issues to get a better idea of the root of the problem. Your professional plumber should then test each drain to discover the location of any backups. Using a camera, the experts will inspect the system to assess any major clogs in your drains that cause your home’s drain issues.

After the clog is removed with professional-grade motorized augers, the drains are treated with pressurized water to clean the pipe walls. The work should include a final camera inspection to assess the status of the pipes post-cleaning. The camera inspection is an important component to assess whether broken or damaged plumbing pipes or a compromised sewer line is to blame.

If you’re concerned your home’s clogged drains may be part of a larger issue or if you need help clearing a stubborn clog, call the experts at Len The Plumber. Our professionals have the innovative tools and techniques to get rid of your clog in its entirety, remove the gunk and dirt building up in your pipes, and provide preventative maintenance to extend the service of life of your home’s plumbing system.

Contact Len The Plumber to schedule your drain clearing or drain cleaning today!