Drain Clearing: 5 Signs it Needs to be Cleared

Sinks, showers, and tubs can frequently get clogged and require clearing. Although your drain may still be functioning, it may not work at its best. You must insert a plumbing snake into the affected pipe to perform a drain clearing. A plumbing snake is a strong cable powered by a motor that rotates a blade at the end of the cable. When the motor is turned on, the blade will spin and break up the blockage in its path. Once the clog has broken apart, the water flow is restored to your plumbing.

1. Recurring Clogged Drains

When your drain repeatedly gets clogged, there tends to be a reason, primarily if it occurs as often as every other day or weekly. If drain clogs are happening in different drains of your home, you may be dealing with a main sewer clog which would require immediate attention. This problem would require a professional drain clearing by a licensed plumber. 

2. Strange Sounds Coming From Your Drain

Strange gurgling or bubbling noises coming from your toilet or drain are crucial signs that your drain needs assistance. These noises signify air bubbles in your drain or toilet as the water is trying to drain out. This problem can typically be resolved with a drain clearing. 

3. Foul Odors 

If an unpleasant smell comes from your drain, you may have a plumbing problem requiring clearing. Mold, Bacteria, or other sewer waste could be sitting in your drain, causing odor. It will get worse if you do not clear your drain soon after the scent appears. 

4. Slow Drainage 

Water draining slowly from your sink, shower, or toilet is a concern that immediately catches one’s attention. This slow drainage can be caused by a buildup of hair, soap, grease, or other products that do not easily break down in the drain. Immediately clear the drain when you notice this slow damage to avoid possible clogs. 

5. Stagnant Water 

Water coming back up from your sink or shower can indicate blockages in your drains. Backed-up water can leak onto the floors causing damage to your home. These repairs can become expensive if not taken care of promptly. When you see stagnant water, you should immediately seek to clear the drain where this water backup occurs. 

How to Clear Various Types of Drains 

Some drain clogs may be minor and easy for you to fix yourself. Here are some various ways you can clear out your drains independently. Other drain clogs may be more severe and require the help of a professional to resolve. 

Bathroom Sinks 

Several things, including shaving buildup, hardened toothpaste, or hair, can cause a clog in your bathroom sink. Luckily, clogged sinks tend to be the easiest to fix. One DIY solution for a clogged sink is mixing half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar and pouring it down the drain, letting it sit, then following with a couple of quarts of boiling water down the drain. You should contact a plumber if the drain clog is not budging after a few hours.

Kitchen Sinks 

The most common causes of kitchen sink clogs are grease and food. To prevent these clogs, it is important to thoroughly scrape any crumbs off your plate into the trash before rinsing them. For these types of build-ups, we recommend trying a chemical treatment that can break down grease and food waste, like Bio- Clean or Dawn soap. 

Showers and Bathtubs 

Hair and product buildup tends to cause a backed-up shower or bathtub drain. You can find various chemical-based treatments at a home improvement store like Drano or Bio-Clean that can quickly open up your drain. You can also purchase a drain snake to clear a shower or tub drain promptly. The clog may indicate an underlying problem if neither of these solutions works. 

Conclusion 

If clearing your drain does not resolve your clogging problem, it is best to contact a professional plumbing company as soon as possible. At Jordan Air and Plumbing, we service homes needing all sewer system repair and replacement needs. Give us a call or book an appointment online, and let us help you today. 

Jordan Air and Plumbing
1165 Athens Rd
Crawford, GA 30630
(706) 769-0661
https://www.jordanairinc.com/