
Drain Cleaning
Slow drains across more than one fixture usually point to buildup further down the line than a plunger reaches, and that's worth clearing before it backs up completely.
When this becomes an emergency
- More than one drain running slow at the same time.
- A sour or sewage-like smell rising from a floor drain or a cleanout.
- Gurgling from a toilet right after the washing machine or dishwasher drains.
- A history of the same line needing attention every year or two.
What a pro does
Routine drain cleaning is a different job from clearing a single stopped-up sink, since the goal is scouring the full length of a line rather than punching a hole through one clog. A plumber typically runs a mechanical auger or a hydro-jetter, which uses pressurized water to strip grease and scale off the interior pipe wall, along with any root hair that's worked its way in, instead of just drilling through the middle of a blockage. Homes in tree-heavy, established neighborhoods tend to need this more often, since mature root systems regrow into a line that's already been cleared within a year or two even after a previous cleaning. A camera pass afterward confirms the line's actually clear end to end, not just clear at the point the auger reached. For a line with a known history of backing up, that yearly or every-other-year cleaning is usually cheaper than waiting for a full backup to force the issue.
Frequently asked questions
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