How Do Plumbers And Drainage Experts Clear Blocked Drains?

Most of us have dealt with a backed up drain at some point in our lives! Whether it’s in our home or at our business, when the toilet begins to overflow or the sink doesn’t drain properly, we ultimately seek help from professionals to clear wastewater lines and get things flowing again.

Sure, you can attempt every possible drain hack in the hopes that your line clears but, often, it’ll require more than just pouring something down the drain. Keep in mind too, that pouring acid-based liquid cleaners down your drain can result in even more problems. If unable to clear – and pass through – the clog, it’ll sit in the line and begin to eat away at the pipe. Calling a plumber or professional to clear your drain might be your last resort but it’s the proven result. So, what do they do, and what type of equipment do they use, to get rid of a blocked drain line?

How Do Plumbers And Drainage Experts Clear Blocked Drains?

When it comes to eliminating a drain blockage caused by years of debris and buildup, experts start by assessing the pipe with a video sewer inspection and then use any number of tools, including a drain snake or water jetter, to eliminate the clog and get your line flowing again.

To better understand exactly where the problem is located, experts will typically start with an assessment and a video sewer inspection. Using non-invasive equipment that enters and exits through the pipe, these cameras offer a look inside the pipe and can spot anything from buildup, to forming clogs, to tree roots to small holes that could be a future problem – in real-time. It can see up to 150 feet of even the hard-to-reach places of the line, so there’s nowhere to hide.

If the clog is hanging around near the drain opening, it could call for a manual drain snake. This tool features a small rotating corkscrew head that’s fed down, while spinning slowly, often breaking up what’s in its path – it’s best used for clearing simple toilet clogs or dislodging debris in the line. But what about something stronger, that might be buried much further down the line?

That’s when a motorized drain snake should be used. Typically for hard clogs, this flexible metal cord goes into drains the same way the video camera would and features a rotating head with a blade. It spins at such a high velocity that it can shred through even the toughest of clogs, especially hardened grease buildup and tree roots. No blockage stands a chance when staring down this piece of equipment but just because the blockage is cut down to size, doesn’t always mean it’s gone and no more a threat – though sometimes you can pull it right out with the snake.

Loose debris might still be lingering. Sometimes, that calls for a water jetter. This tool, also known as a hydro jetter, is essentially like a power washer for your drain and sewer lines. Sending 4,000 PSI – sometimes more, depending on the machine – of high-pressure water down the line, it can blast away any buildup or debris sitting in your line and reach several hundred feet in the process – all without causing damage to the inside of the pipe.

How Do I Know If I’m Dealing With A Blocked Drain?

Despite being unable to see inside your lines with the naked eye, your drains can offer warning signs that trouble is brewing, like foul odors, unusual gurgling and slower-than-usual draining.

Noticing drain and sewer issues with the naked eye can be next to impossible but that doesn’t mean your drains won’t offer warning signs that there could soon be potential trouble.

Perhaps the most noticeable sign is that your drain is emptying slower than usual. There might be something sitting in your line taking up a majority of the space and limiting the amount of wastewater flowing past. It could also be unusual gurgling sounds, which is a result of water and debris struggling to flow through the line, as it hits the clog and slowly moves through it, making some peculiar noises. And then there’s embarrassing odors. If you’re starting to notice the smell of rotten eggs coming from your line, it means there’s gunk sitting in there. What you’re smelling is the bacteria forming on the sitting buildup and debris – it can quickly take over a room too!

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs, it’s time to let the experts handle any buildup or blockages that might be hiding in your lines. Give Zoom Drain a call or schedule an appointment online, we’re always available for around the clock service – we’ll even assess your line for free.