Why Drains and Sewer Lines Get Dense Clogs
Drains and sewer lines are important parts of a home's plumbing system but are often ignored because property owners don't have to deal with problems that often.. Sewer lines and drains can develop dense clogs or blockages for several reasons, including:
- Layers of food grease
- A buildup of hair
- Bathroom tissue that does not dissolve
- A buildup of food particles
- Flushing inappropriate items down a toilet
- An invasion of roots from trees and shrubbery
- A buildup of debris from soap and beauty care products
- A combination of different types of debris
In some cases, the debris inside sewer lines and drains will also freeze in the autumn or winter, making it impossible for water to flow through the system. Old or improperly installed drains or sewer lines can also degrade rapidly, leading to blockages from bent or broken materials. A catastrophic event such as an earthquake or sinkhole can also shift the sewer lines from the correct positions, creating a kink in the pipes that will cause a clog to develop.
What are the Symptoms of Having a Clogged Drain or Sewer Line?
A property owner will often ignore a clogged drain because they do not understand the symptoms that indicate there is a problem. Symptoms of clogged drains can include:
- Foul odors emanating from bathtub and sink drains
- Drains that empty slowly
- Toilets that overflow frequently
- A backwash of debris in a sink or bathtub
- Standing water outside a building from a cracked sewer pipe
- Soft or muddy soil on lawns from leaking sewer lines
- Odd gurgling noises as sinks and bathtubs empty
Why a Property Owner Should Hire a Licensed Plumber
When a property owner decides to hire a plumber to clean or repair drains and sewer lines, it is imperative to use only a licensed individual who has experience in rooter or hydro-jetting services. The process of cleaning sewer lines and drains is highly specialized and requires using heavy-duty equipment. If a plumber uses the wrong tools and methods to dislodge a clog from a building’s sewage system, then it is possible to damage the pipes. A plumber with local and state licensing has verified their expertise with government agencies and will have the insurance required as financial protection in case damage occurs to sewer lines and drains.
What are the Benefits of a Camera Inspection?
A plumber with experience in modern drain cleaning methods is going to have a camera to inspect the sewer pipes and drains. With a camera inspection, a property owner does not need to have massive amounts of soil removed from lawns in order for the plumber to find a clog and damaged sewer lines. With this trenchless inspection method, a plumber is able to insert a camera into the drains and sewer lines to find a clog. While the camera is moving through the sewer lines, the plumber is able to see the interior surfaces of pipes on a computer screen. Not only can the plumber determine exactly where the clog is located in order to plan a removal process, but also, they are able to determine what the clog is composed of such as tree roots, food particles or grease.
What are the Different Types of Drain Cleaning Methods?
A professional plumber uses two basic types of drain cleaning methods, including rooter or hydro-jetting. A rooter device is a large mechanical plumber’s auger that a plumber inserts into a sewer line. The sharp blades of the rooter machine chops through a hard or frozen clog while removing debris along the sides of the sewer’s pipes. With this method, tough tree roots, bathroom tissue and massive amounts of grease are dislodged, permitting water to flow freely though the sewer lines. However, many property owners prefer a hydro-jetting drain cleaning process instead because it uses strong blasts of water that are less likely to damage the interior surfaces of sewer pipes. Both of these drain-cleaning methods are effective for dislodging debris, and a plumber can offer advice concerning the best process for a particular type of clog.
Why does the Cost of Cleaning Drains Vary?
The cost of professional drain cleaning varies in different geographic regions. A plumber will consider the type of clog that requires removal and how deep the clog is located in the drains or sewer lines. A short sewer line typically costs less to clean than a longer sewer line, and a property owner should request a written estimate of the cost of labor and materials before hiring a drain cleaning company.