What this service solves
Most homeowners will deal with a clogged drain at some point. The important part is diagnosing it correctly, because the drain where water shows up is not always where the blockage is. A basement floor drain backup may be a floor drain problem, but it can also point to a blocked main sewer line farther downstream.
Residential drain cleaning can involve the main sewer line, an inside main, an outside main, or branch lines like kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, laundry tubs, utility sinks, toilets, and floor drains. Once we know which line is causing the problem, we decide whether cable cleaning, hydro jetting, flex shaft cleaning, or a combination of methods makes the most sense.
Not sure which drain is actually clogged? Call and describe what is backing up, when it happens, and which fixtures are affected. We can usually help identify the likely cause and explain the right next step before the work begins.
Why the right diagnosis matters
Different drain problems can look almost the same from the outside. Standing water around a floor drain, a kitchen sink backing up into a nearby floor drain, or several fixtures draining slowly can each point to a different part of the system. Testing fixtures, watching the backup pattern, and using a sewer camera when needed helps separate a branch-line clog from a main-line problem.
There is also a difference between unclogging a drain and cleaning a drain. A cable may open a path and get water moving again, but grease, scale, sludge, roots, or heavy buildup can still be left on the pipe wall. Hydro jetting is often a better choice for long, greasy, sludge-filled, or recurring lines because it washes more material out of the pipe instead of only poking through the blockage.
Every job is different. Cost and method depend on the drain involved, the severity of the blockage, the condition of the pipe, and the access we have to work from. A cleanout in an open basement is not the same as a backed-up line under pressure in a finished basement. We inspect the situation, explain the options, and let you know if the line may need camera inspection, repair, replacement, or trenchless pipe repair.
Signs you should call
- Water drains slowly even after plunging
- A sink, tub, shower, or floor drain gurgles
- Water backs up when another fixture is used
- A drain has a sour or sewer-like smell
- The same drain keeps clogging again and again
How the service call works
- Ask what is backing up, when it started, and whether it has happened before
- Protect the work area before bringing equipment inside
- Use the best access point for the fixture, drain, or cleanout
- Clear the line with the right cable, auger, flex shaft, or jetting head
- Run water, test the drain, and explain what likely caused the clog