If water drains slowly in your sink or bathtub, you hear gurgling sounds, or you smell foul odors, it is probably time to clean your drains. Plumbers use specialized techniques and equipment to unclog drains in bathtubs, toilets, sinks, and sewer lines. Unclogging your drains helps increase the lifespan of your plumbing system. Here are ways plumbers can unclog your drain:
Hydro Jetting
A hydro jet is a high-powered pressure washer used to clean the inner walls of pipes. Its water tank is attached to a hose pipe with interchangeable nozzles, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor plumbing systems. The pressurized water removes the clog but also scours the pipes’ walls. This removes grease, soap, dirt, mineral deposits, and other debris for a long-term clean.
Drain Clearing
Drain cleaning allows the free flow of wastewater and involves clearing mineral and debris buildup in pipes using augers or chemical cleaners. An auger is a long cable with a closed-spear tip that can force through clogs. This tool is commonly used to clear clogged toilets, helping to resolve sewage backup and smelly and slow-moving drains.
Chemical drain cleaners can be caustic, oxidizing, or acidic. Caustic drain cleaners clear minor grease traps or kitchen sink clogs. Oxidizing cleaners contain bleach and nitrates, which are combined with water to dissolve clogs. Acidic drain cleaners contain sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, which melts grease in your drains. Plumbers assess whether using chemicals or augers is best to clear your pipes.
Sewer Line Clearing
Sewer cleaning removes sludge and non-biodegradable debris buildup from sewer pipelines. Your sewer lines may be clogged if you notice foul smells, wet basement floors, or standing water in your yard. A plumber uses hydraulic, mechanical, and chemical methods to restore the functionality of your wastewater lines.
Hydraulic cleaning methods use water velocity to clean sewer pipe walls, often in combination with a high-flow vacuum source. Mechanical sewer cleaning methods include rodding and pipeline inspection gauges (pigs). Rodding breaks up grease deposits and cuts roots within the plumbing system, while pigs scrap debris from the pipe wall. Some plumbers combine flushing with mechanical clearing methods to remove sand, grit, and floating materials.
Camera Inspections
Plumbing experts use video cameras to asses clog severity in drains. They fit a high-resolution camera onto a flexible rod and insert it into your pipes. Cameras record real-time footage, allowing professionals to identify the location of blockages and determine which clearing or cleaning method would be best. Many drain inspection cameras have zoom, pan, and tilt capabilities for adequate inspections. By identifying specific clog types using cameras, experts create targeted approaches for long-term pipeline maintenance. Video camera inspections also help identify severe issues like pipe corrosion and root intrusion.
Schedule Plumbers Services
Plumbers provide residential, commercial, and municipal drain-clearing services. They inspect and review sump pumps, drains, faucets, and shut-off valves. Many professional services are on-call 24/7, ready to respond to emergency plumbing problems, such as water line breaks or sewer backups. Contact a reputable plumber today to learn more about their drain-clearing services.
