Drain Cleaning Plumbing

Clogged drains can be a common plumbing issue in the home. In some cases, you can use DIY techniques and tools to clear clogs from your bathroom and kitchen. When more serious blockages are present, you should hire a plumber to use their professional equipment.

This article contains some important information about drain cleansing methods. It includes how they work and how you can tell when your home requires drain cleaning.

What is cabling?

Drain snakes are commonly used to unclog a blocked toilet, sink, or tub drain. The cabling method, which is also called snaking, involves inserting a thin, long auger into the drain pipe. The device contains a metal spiral that is twisted downward to dislodge the blockage or hook on it.

A manual or an electric drain snake can be purchased at your local hardware shop. If you are not familiar with drain cleaning, you may damage your pipes if you use a snake. It’s best to contact a plumbing service if this is the only option for removing a clog.

What is hydro jetting?

Hydro jetting is another method of cleaning pipes. It uses a special hose to push high-pressure water throughout your plumbing system. A plumber will insert a camera in your pipes before the process to check for any damage that could be exacerbated by the high-powered cleaning. A plumber will then insert the hose through your drain, typically via a cleanout. The hose is connected to a tank of pressurized water.

The hose will then move through the drain to clean the inside. The nozzle of the hose shoots powerful water jets in several directions at once. Gravity ishes debris into your plumbing system, where it will eventually be flushed out. This will remove any clogs in your pipes and make the interior of your pipes look like new. Hydro jetting can remove mineral scale deposits, grease, and tree roots.

What is the difference between hydro jetting and cabling?

Cabling can only be used to remove a blockage or break it apart. Hydro jetting blasts away clogs and removes stubborn buildup that is shrinking the diameter of your pipes. For the occasional clog, cabling is recommended. Hydro jetting is the most effective way to clean a drain over time and prevent future blockages. Hydro jetting, unlike cabling, must be done by a plumber.

What to look for when determining if your home needs drain cleaning.

You’ll notice that your drains need cleaning when you see one or more warning signs.

• Slow draining sinks. You may have a blockage if you notice water taking forever to drain down your drain, or gurgling sounds coming from your pipes as the water drains.
• Frequent toilet overflows. Sewer line issues may be the cause of your toilet overflowing or clogging. To solve these issues, it’s best to consult a plumber.
• Back-Up of water. If water is filling up your tub or sink from the drain, you have a blockage in your sewer or pipes. Don’t ignore the problem, as it can cause damage to your pipes and be unsanitary.
• Bad smell. A foul odor coming from the kitchen drains is likely due to grease or food particles blocking a drain.

Clogs do not fix themselves. Contact a professional immediately if you suspect that your drains are blocked.