Your drains have one job: carry waste to the sewer line. But any number of things can interfere with this simple task– tree roots, grease, and clumps of wet wipes to name just a few. When your plunger isn’t doing the job, you’ll need to bring in the big guns. Pay attention to these red flags that it’s time to call the pros.
Red Flags That Drain Cleaning is Long Overdue
Frequently Clogged Drains
One clog in your sink drain is a mishap but three, four…FIVE clogs?! Something’s wrong! You may want to reconsider what you’re putting down your toilet. Anything other than waste and TP will cause clogs eventually. In other words, if you keep flushing those so-called “flushable” wipes, you can expect to use your plunger. The same rule applies to your kitchen sink drain. Grease and food chunk will congeal into a formidable stoppage. But if your frequently clogged drains aren’t habit-related, you likely have an issue with the drain pipe. Consider having your sewer line inspected.
Slow Drains
A slow drain is a sign of a partial clog. Don’t ignore it! Given time, it will develop into a full-blown blockage. There are several things you can try to get your drains flowing again. Pouring baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar, creates a fizzy reaction that can help dissolve minor clogs. You can also try flushing the drain with a pot of hot water and salt, which helps break up grease. If these homespun methods fail you, consider calling the pros. Whatever you do, don’t use a chemical drain cleaner.
Gurgling
Your drain isn’t supposed to sound like that. Gurgling indicates air or gas bubbles are trapped in your drain line because a clog is holding them back from reaching the vent stack — that’s the pipe sticking up from your roof that regulates air pressure. If all of your drains gurgle, you likely have a clog in your sewer line.
Foul Odor
Think about all the nasty things your washing down your drain: dead skin, hair, body oil. This creates a feeding ground for bacteria which produce their own unique aroma all their own. A rotten egg odor is another funky smell that should cause concern. This, however, likely isn’t related to a clog. It could be that sewer gases are escaping through the P-trap.
Multiple Clogged Drains
A blockage in your sewer line isn’t going to affect one drain — it will affect every drain: sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers. Clogs in the main line are typically the result of one of two things: a broken sewer pipe or tree roots. A plumber will use video technology to determine the precise cause and present the best solution for clearing the obstruction, such as hydro-jetting or snaking the drain.
Bottom line: A professional service will blast away tough blockages to get your water flowing freely again. For that, turn to the Gilbert drain cleaning specialists at Plumbing & A/C Medic. Call 602-878-9314 to schedule your appointment.
