Why Drains Clog (and How We Fix Them)
Kitchen drains collect fats, oils, grease, and food sediments that harden. Bathroom sinks and tubs gather hair and soap scum that bind into fibrous clumps. Laundry standpipes build lint mats. Main lines see roots, scale, and wipes that don’t break down. We match the tool to the problem: cable machines for hair and soft clogs, sectional or drum augers for long runs, cutting heads for roots, and hydro‑jetting for greasy or scaled lines.
Our Drain Cleaning Process
- 1.Assessment and access. We identify the fixture or cleanout that gives the straightest shot and protects finishes.
- 2.Right tool selection—hand auger, drum/sectional machine, specialty cutters, or hydro‑jetting for grease and scale.
- 3.Flow restoration and camera verification for main lines to confirm a clean bore and check for bellies or breaks.
- 4.Sanitization and cleanup. We protect the work area and leave fixtures spotless.
DIY Tips (When It’s Safe)
- Use a hair snake for bathroom sinks and tubs—avoid harsh chemicals that damage finishes and pipes.
- Clean pop‑up stoppers; they trap hair and toothpaste sludge.
- For kitchen sinks, pour very hot—not boiling—water followed by a small amount of dish soap to break fresh grease films.
Stop and call a pro if you hear gurgling in other fixtures, multiple drains slow together, or you see sewage at a floor drain. Those are main line warning signs.
Prevention Playbook
Kitchen
- Let oils cool and can them—never down the sink
- Run hot water after dishwashing to move soap and fats
- Rinse food particles to the trash, not the disposer
Bathroom
- Install hair catchers in showers and tubs
- Clean stoppers every month
- Keep bar soap scum down with occasional hot rinse
Local Considerations in Monroe County
Older homes often have long, partially bellied runs or clay sections near the yard, which collect grease and roots. Our camera equipment helps you decide between periodic maintenance and a targeted repair. For restaurants and busy kitchens, we recommend a maintenance cadence and optional jetting for heavy grease lines.
Tools We Use and When We Use Them
Different clogs respond to different tools. Using the wrong method can compact debris or scratch piping. We carry a full suite so we can fix the clog—not guess at it.
- Hand/Air snakes: Short, gentle clearing in traps and short runs; great for hair nests in lavatories.
- Drum/sectional machines: Long runs in 2–4 inch lines; cutters sized to the pipe restore diameter without damaging walls.
- Specialty heads: Grease blades, spade cutters, and chain knockers for scale on older cast‑iron.
- Hydro‑jetting: High‑pressure water washing for restaurants, heavy grease lines, or scale that keeps returning.
- Video inspection: Verifies that obstructions are removed and identifies bellies, offsets, and intrusions.
We’ll explain which tool we chose and why, so you know exactly what happened inside the pipe you can’t see.
Pricing & Timelines
Costs depend on access, clog severity, and whether camera inspection and jetting are required. Fixture drains usually resolve quickly; main lines that demand root cutting and jetting take longer. We provide upfront pricing and always discuss options if we discover structural problems during inspection.
- Fixture drains: most completed in 30–60 minutes
- Main lines: typically 60–120 minutes plus camera work
- Heavy roots/grease: add time for cutting and jetting passes
Homeowner Checklist After Service
- Run hot water through cleaned fixtures for several minutes
- Start a dishwasher or laundry cycle to confirm full flow
- Note any gurgles or slow fixtures and tell us—these can hint at venting or main issues
- Schedule periodic maintenance if we found chronic build‑up or roots
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Use hair screens and clean them weekly
- Run hot water after greasy dish cycles
- Install a lint trap at the washer standpipe
- Schedule maintenance for known root problems
Don’t
- Pour fats or coffee grounds into the sink
- Use harsh chemical cleaners that attack piping
- Ignore frequent clogs—this signals a larger issue
- Flush “flushable” wipes—most do not break down
FAQs
Do chemical drain cleaners work?
They may clear soft grease but often damage finishes, harm piping, and can be dangerous when mixed. Mechanical cleaning is safer and more effective.
How long does cleaning take?
Most fixture drains: 30–60 minutes. Main lines: 60–120 minutes including camera inspection.
Will cleaning prevent future clogs?
It restores flow now; prevention comes from usage changes and periodic maintenance where lines have chronic build‑up or roots.