Commonly Asked Questions About Residential and Commercial Drain Cleaning Services

Commercial and residential drain cleaning companies deal with a lot of complex issues. They handle everything from clogged kitchen and bathroom faucets to clogged sewer lines. They always know the best way to fix a clog or any other drainage issue that are experiencing. If you have a situation on your hands right now, then we want to help! Here are some of the questions that we receive a lot from homeowners and business operators regarding their sewer lines and drainage systems:

• Slow Drains – Your kitchen sink or bathroom drains will sometimes take more time to evacuate all the water. This is a tell-tale sign that there is some sort of buildup inside your system. Buildup inside your drain pipes and sewer lines will eventually develop into a full-blown clog, which means that water won’t pass through your system at all.
• Foul and Putrid Odors – Some waste materials will collect inside your drain and they will begin decomposing. This will then create the unpleasant odors that you noticing throughout your home. The accumulation of bacteria will fester inside your drain, which can cause contamination and pose a major health hazard.
• Overflowing Toilets – When you go to flush your toilet, it overflows and causes water to spill on your bathroom floor. This typically indicates that you have a major clog on your hands. Only a professional drain cleaning company can handle an issue such as this. 
• Water Backups – If the drain is blocked entirely, then water cannot pass through the pipes, causing backups. Clogs inside your sewer line will require major repair work. Some of the simpler solutions likely won’t have any impact on the clog, such as hydro jetting, drain cleaners or drain snakes. 

This depends on the severity of the clog. You will also need to hire a residential or commercial plumbing company to undergo the actual hydro jetting process. You should never do it on your own because you can easily make matters worse if you are not sure about what you are doing. The water is highly pressurized, which means that there is a good chance that it can scrape against the side of your drain pipes. This will cause your system to lose its proper alignment, which will then lead to major breakage. Also, another cause of the problem could be due to tree root intrusion.

Tree root intrusion is where an overgrowing tree root makes contact with your drain or sewer lines. Simple drain cleaning solutions are sometimes not viable to remedy an invading tree root. This is sometimes a more complex situation than a clogged drain. In some of the more severe scenarios, your drain cleaning company will need to take apart the drain lines and clean everything out manually. Tree root intrusion is something you should always keep a close eye on because the problem occurs underground where you can’t visibly see it happening. To unclog a drain due to tree root intrusion, your commercial or residential plumbing specialist may first need to undergo a camera inspection.

Install a drain screen to all of the drains throughout your home – You can install the screens just about anywhere and they will prevent a lot of food scraps and other solid waste materials from entering your drains. It is particularly effective at trapping items such as eggshells, seeds, coffee grounds and other items that will wreak havoc on your drain and sewer lines. Commercial drainage systems in particular are especially prone to clogs caused by organic waste – especially if you work in the food and beverage industry.

Avoid sending any grease or oil down your drain (unless you installed a grease trap) – Grease and oil can stick to the walls of your sewer and drain pipes. Once the material coagulates, it forms a layer of gunk which becomes increasingly difficult to remove over time.

Avoid using any drain cleaners – You watched an infomercial on TV advertising about the best drain cleaner available. However, that cleaner likely contains harsh chemicals that will eat away and corrode your drain pipes and sewer lines. If you use them regularly, then they can damage your plumbing system severely.

Watch what you are flushing down your toilet – Toilets can only handle certain waste materials, such as human excrement and toilet paper. Other hygiene and feminine products should not enter your toilet. When they enter your system in excessive amounts, then a clog is bound to happen.

You absolutely should hire a drain cleaning service to undergo regularly scheduled maintenance and flush out your system. At some point, your system going to get clogged – it’s an inevitability. Periodic drain cleaning services are going to ensure that your business is operating at full capacity all the time. You will prevent emergencies and other nightmare scenarios that are truly a pain in the butt to fix and remedy. Also, regular cleanings are going to extend the lifespan of your system.

This will depend on your existing system and if it is prone to clogs or leaks. Drain and sewer line repairs will certainly vary and most plumbing companies will need to diagnose the issue first before they can offer you an estimate. Some companies are reluctant to provide a price right away, and others will have contingency plans that allow them to estimate the cost of your repairs more accurately.

If your residential or commercial drain requires immediate attention, then you should contact a plumbing repair company right away. Consulting a professional is going to make you feel a lot better about your options moving forward. We also understand that with minor buildup or clogs, you may want to take a stab at undergoing a DIY repair project. Although you can certainly remedy certain issues on your own, it is much better to contact a plumbing expert to receive professional advice. Drain cleaning services are something you strongly consider for your business – especially if you are in the restaurant and foodservice industry.