The expert technicians at CW Service Pros use a range of techniques to detect and fix drain and sewer line problems.
Financing Options with CW Service Pros
0% financing for 6 months or 18 months with approved credit or other revolving credit options. 0% financing available for a full 72 months for 19+ SEER heating and air conditioning installations with approved credit. Some restrictions apply.
Need More Information on Drain Cleaning?
When Do You Need a Plumber’s Help for a Clogged Drain?
What if you have a blockage that just won’t clear or one drain that keeps clogging over and over again? A clogged drain is typically a simple problem to fix, but sometimes a drain that constantly clogs is an indication of a bigger problem. If your drain is still clogged after plunging and other home methods—or if the drain gets clogged over and over again—it’s time to call in some help. Unclogging a drain usually doesn’t disrupt your home. Most of the time a drain cleaning can be completed in an hour or less.
How Can a Homeowner Clear a Clogged Drain?
Luckily, it’s easy for homeowners to quickly and inexpensively clear many clogged drains themselves. Below is a list of DIY solutions:
Try running the hot water tap for a few minutes. For minor clogs, this is sometimes enough to get the drain working again. Note: Do not use boiling water, as this can damage fixtures and cause shrinkage of plastic pipes.
A standard plunger for a sink or shower drain or a flange plunger for a toilet will often get the offending drain flowing freely again.
If plunging doesn’t work, try a plumber’s snake or a product such as a Zip-it™. The Zip-it is an inexpensive barbed plastic device that is inserted into a clogged drain and can help you fish matter that’s preventing the drain from emptying. It works the same way as a plumber’s snake, but it’s disposable and costs only a few dollars.
If you’re handy with a pipe wrench, try clearing the sink trap. Turn off the water, place a bucket under the sink, then carefully open up the trap. Remove the clogged material, then rinse the trap in hot (not boiling) water.
Once the drain is clear and flowing freely, it should stay that way, provided you use a few simple preventative measures.
Call CW Service Pros Today for Expert Drain Cleaning Services
If you have a clogged drain or sewer line, you have the kind of problem that needs solving quickly. Left alone, these issues have the potential to cause water damage and further problems in the future, so prompt attention is important. Call CW Service Pros today, and we’ll send one of our experienced, licensed plumbers out to inspect your drain and get to the root of your problem.
How Can You Prevent Clogged Drains?
There are several things you can do to reduce the chances of drains getting clogged.
In the shower or bath, use a mesh screen to catch hair before it gets into the drain. Just fit it in the drain before washing, and remove it and discard the hair when you’re done. Be mindful of what you let down your drains.
If you have a garbage disposal, it’s best to avoid putting lots of solids and greasy or sticky substances down the drain. In particular, avoid grease and fat, coffee grounds, bones, egg shells, breads, rice, pasta, and gum in the kitchen sink. Also avoid things like paper towels, baby wipes, cotton balls and swabs, and cat litter.
Use a non-corrosive, environmentally friendly drain cleaner once a month on all the drains in your home. Keep in mind that harsh drain chemicals will not clear a clog, they are meant to be a maintenance item only.
CW Service Pros offers BioOne as a safe bio-degradable, environmentally friendly option. BioOne is a broad spectrum microbial that helps degrade and digest fats, oils, grease, and other organic waste build up. Ask your local CW Service Pro Plumber about using BioOne to help keep your drains clear.
If you have a garbage disposal, clean it once a month by grinding up ice and table salt. Run the cold water for a couple of minutes, then cut up a lemon or lime, and toss it in to grind up and deodorize.
What Are the Warning Signs of a Sewer Line Problem?
As with a clogged drain, there are usually some noticeable signs that your sewer line is clogged or running slowly. The most common warning signs include:
A gurgling sound in the drains or toilet, often heard when the toilet is flushed
Water backs up in the toilet or out of one or more drains. Note: If the problem is isolated to the kitchen or bathroom, it’s usually a secondary line that’s the problem. If backups occur in all drains, it’s more likely to be the main sewer line.
Sewage odors
Sometimes if a main sewer line is clogged, there are no warning signs, and the first moment you get an idea is when water or sewage starts backing up in the drains.
Whether you have early warning signs or an actual backup of sewage in the drains, call a plumber for drain cleaning immediately. In the meantime, discontinue any water use, including turning off your washing machine.
What Causes Sewer Line Problems?
A common cause of sewer line problems is growing tree roots that twist around the lines and even penetrate the pipes. This is a particularly common cause in older homes, which are more likely to be near trees with extensive root growth. Another possible cause are items such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and thick toilet paper can become stuck in a sewer line and cause a clog.
Will Insurance Cover the Costs of Drain Cleaning and Repair?
Check your policy to verify coverage if you have limitations or exclusions, some policies will include a rider with a dollar amount limit. An insurance policy can specifically exclude or restrict damage caused by backed-up drains and sewer lines, which means that backup from things like floor drains, sinks, and toilets are excluded. The main reason for this is that water and sewer systems need periodic maintenance to keep them in working order, and damage caused by water backup is mostly preventable with regular maintenance and prompt repair when it’s needed.
Here at CW Service Pros we can help you with your insurance claim. Contact us today to schedule your next service.