So, your drains are clogged… again. One of the most frustrating plumbing problems to have is a clogged drain. A tub with standing water or a sink full of food debris can bring your day to a halt. And no matter where the clog is – your shower, kitchen, or tub – it usually means postponing activities until you get the problem fixed. While an isolated clogged drain can be easily fixed, multiple clogged drains may mean you’re looking at a major plumbing issue in your home.
The Best Ways to Clean Clogged Drains
If your drains are clogging frequently, contact our plumbers. We offer Akron residents plumbing at the speed of NOW, which means we can arrive very quickly when you have clogged drains. Before you make the call, however, consider trying a couple of DIY home remedies.
Use a Plunger
If you have a clogged drain, try using a plunger to force the clog out. Cover the drain opening with the plunger and forcefully push and pull the handle. If you see debris coming up, do this motion a few times. Then run water to see if the clog is gone.
Baking Soda and White Vinegar
Combine equal parts baking soda and white vinegar into a white paste. You’ll know the mixture is ready when you see it bubbling. Then pour it down your drain, cover the drain opening, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Afterward, flush the drain with hot water.
These DIY methods can typically fix small clogs. However, if neither of these approaches work, our plumbers have additional methods to clean and unclog your drains.
What You Can Expect When You Call Professional Drain Clearing Plumbers
When you call Plumbing Excellence LLC, firstly, you’ll get plumbing at the speed of NOW! We arrive quickly because we know how a clogged drain can put a damper on your day-to-day activities. Secondly, we have professional tools to clear out the clog and get your drains flowing freely again.
When our plumbers arrive, they’ll quickly inspect your drain to identify the source of the problem. One way they can pinpoint the exact location of the clog is by using waterproof pipe cameras. Once they know what kind of issue they’re facing, they can then decide which technique will best clear your drain.
Drain Snakes
Drain snakes are tools that rotate slowly, cutting through clogs. We use manual drain snakes, which cover about 10 feet, and motorized drain snakes, which cover about 150 feet. Drain snakes can clear food waste, grease clogs, and tree roots.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting uses strong water jets to clean out drains and pipes. These water jets can break apart tough clogs and flush out any built-up grease. Besides being an extremely effective technique, it’s also an environmentally friendly plumbing solution unlike chemical drain cleaners.
Once we clean and unclog your drains, our plumbers often advise homeowners on how to keep their drains clear. Some advice we regularly give customers includes:
- Regularly flush your drains with an enzyme-based cleaner.
- Pour hot water down your sink weekly.
- Avoid throwing fibrous fruits and vegetables, egg shells, and coffee grounds down your sink drain and garbage disposal.
- Use drain strainers to prevent hair from going down the drain.
Why does my drain keep clogging?
If your drains keep clogging up, it’s probably not a coincidence. Frequent clogs may mean you have bad drain habits or you have a bigger issue with your plumbing system. Here are some common culprits behind your drain problems.
Oil, Fat, and Grease
One of the most common reasons homeowners call plumbers to unclog their drains is the buildup of oil and grease. While pouring liquid oil, fat, and grease may seem harmless, it will soon solidify, resulting in a tough and impenetrable drain clog. To prevent this from happening, pour used cooking oil, fat, and grease into a jar and then dispose of it in your trash can.
Hair
Another major culprit is hair. Human and pet hair often binds with soap to form a thick clog. Add a drain cover to reduce the amount of hair going down your drains, and bathe your pets outdoors rather than in your bathtub or sink.
Food Scraps
Food scraps can be hard on your pipes and drains. Fibrous vegetables, eggshells, and vegetable skins should never go down your drains. These scraps are often too big and can’t be effectively broken down, even by your garbage disposal. Instead of throwing them down the drain, use a compost bin instead.
Soap Scum
Many soaps are made up of animal fats, which can be hard on pipes and drains. Once this fat mixes with the minerals in your hard water, the result is a layer of soap scum. Unfortunately, this sticky residue can end up clogging your drains. If you’re having a problem with soap scum, consider switching to a liquid soap or bar soap that contains less animal fats.
Your Fixed-Right-The-First-Time-Plumbers
If you’ve tried to unclog your drains yourself and are still having problems, it’s time to call in the professional plumbers at Buddy’s Plumbing Excellence. We don’t just clean and unclog drains, we do it efficiently and quickly.
Looking for plumbing at the speed of NOW? Our plumbing team can help. We’re a family-owned and -operated company by Anthony and Vicki Joyce, and we bring over 10,000 hours of experience to every job. We’re your fixed-right-the-first-time-plumbers. You call. We come. It’s fixed. Guaranteed.
