Get Rid of Clogged Drains
When you’re struggling with stubborn clogs, you’ll want a plumber you can trust. Absolute Services provides expert drain cleaning in Louisville, KY and beyond. Our team is well-versed in the best drain clearing methods available, including both hydro jetting and drain snaking, so you can rest assured your clogged drain will be fully cleared when we’re done with it. Reach out to us by phone or fill out our online form to get in touch with any questions or to schedule your appointment.
How To Tell You Need Drain Cleaning
Are you unsure whether or not your situation requires reaching out for professional drain cleaning in Louisville, KY? We’re here to help. You can always contact us directly to explain your circumstances, but, in the meantime, here are some general guidelines that let you know drain cleaning may be the right choice for you.
Drain Clogs Frequently
If, despite your best efforts, you have a constantly clogged drain, it’s likely you need the help of a professional plumber to finish the job. Our team uses the latest tools and techniques that can tackle even the toughest blockages.
Pests Congregate Near Drain
Flies and bugs making themselves comfortable around your drain area can indicate a buildup of waste, often from food. Intensive drain clearing methods are in order to fight a clog like that.
Basins Drain Slowly
When you notice it’s taking longer for your sink, tub, or shower to drain after water has been turned off, that is a clear indication of a clog. You may try to combat the clog on your own, however, hiring a plumber is a surefire bet for beating a blockage.
Hearing Strange Sounds
During the draining process, if you hear bubbling or gurgling that can be a sign of a serious blockage making it hard for water to pass through your pipes. Our team can investigate and find the source of the clog, suggesting the best way to get rid of it entirely to restore water flow.
Smelling Bad Odors
The buildup of waste and debris inside your drains and pipes can lead to unpleasant smells that make your bathroom experience less pleasant. When in doubt, contact us for assistance.
Flushing Problems
If your drains and pipes are clogged, that can also have an impact on how your toilet works. Be on the lookout for any overflowing, problems refilling the tank after flushing, and bizarre sounds. Proper drain cleaning can help with this, as well.
Top Drain Clearing Methods
There are three main methods that we commonly use during drain cleaning in Louisville, KY. In general, we recommend hydro jetting and drain snaking for the best results. Below, we’ve laid out details about each option, including when and why to use or not use each of them.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting is the method that offers homeowners with the clearest drains, and it only uses water—highly pressurized water, that is. The water sent through the pipe system during hydro jetting can reach up to 35,000 psi. This level of pressure can clear a clogged drain, pipe, or sewer line completely. It’s effective against even the most stubborn clogs. From an environmental standpoint, the lack of chemicals makes hydro jetting especially eco-friendly. On the flipside, there are situations where pipes cannot withstand the pressure of hydro jetting so other methods must be used. Our team will make the assessment when we take a look at your home’s plumbing system.
Drain Snaking
One of the other popular ways to clear a drain is with a drain snake. Drain snakes are fed into your pipes and include a corkscrew-like component called an auger to break up clogs and remove them from your drain. The tools are long, so they’re fed as deep into the pipes as necessary before resistance is encountered, indicating a blockage. This method can tackle moderate-to-severe clog when used by the trained hand of a licensed plumber.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
You may be familiar with some top brands of chemical drain cleaners said to clear your pipes by pouring them directly into your drain. While they may work on minor clogs, we don’t recommend them for frequent use or when you’re experiencing signs of a more severe clog. That’s because they can damage your pipes while not fully removing the clog. It may end up costing you more to fix what chemical drain cleaners cause in your pipe system, so we recommend calling a plumber for your clogged drain problems.
Avoid Flushing or Putting These Objects Down Your Drains
There are so many clogs that are completely preventable, and some everyday items are repeat offenders when it comes to causing blockages. Keep the following out of your pipes to avoid the need for recurring professional drain cleaning in Louisville, KY!
- Grease, cooking oil, coffee grounds: While it may feel like grease and cooking oil shouldn’t be a big deal, they flow down drains as liquids and then harden into blockage-causing material. When paired with coffee grinds, you’ve got a drainage disaster on your hands.
- “Flushable” wipes: Flushable wipes aren’t flushable! They don’t break down like toilet paper does and are one of the most common causes of blocked drainage lines that we see.
- Fibrous vegetables: If you use a garbage disposal, certain vegetable types (like celery and corn husks) can wrap around blades and cause lasting damage, or even a full break down.
- Cotton balls and swabs: These innocuous little things absorb huge amounts of water and expand into major blockage problems.
- Dental floss: It may seem thin, but it can get tangled up with other objects and cause much larger clogs than it can on its own.
Tips for DIY Drain Cleaning
If you’re wondering how to keep your drains clear as best as you can on your own without involving a professional, there are a few key tips we can tell you:
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: A cup of baking soda and cup of vinegar poured down the drain of your sink, shower, or tub can be an effective natural remedy for a mild clog. Make sure to cover the opening to the drain and let sit for half an hour before flushing with hot water.
- Plunger: This is a great physical method you’re probably familiar with when it comes to toilet blockages. They can also be used on your drains.
- Boiling Water: As a preventative measure, it’s a good habit to pour boiling water down your drains monthly to avoid buildup.
Signs You Need Sewer Line Cleaning
Sewer line cleaning goes along with drain cleaning and is resolved in the same ways (hydro jetting, drain snakes, or chemical cleaners). The general recommendation is to get your sewer line professionally cleaned at least every two years, but ideally every year and a half. Keeping your sewer line clean is key to maintaining plumbing system health overall. You may also need sewer line cleaning if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- You smell rotten eggs around your home or property.
- Your basins are draining exceptionally slow and backing up.
- You hear loud gurgling sounds coming from your pipes.
Main Drain Line Cleaning
Main drain line cleaning is a subtype of sewer line cleaning that tackles clearing the pipe connecting the city sewer line system to your home’s individual plumbing system. This is how waste leaves your property if you don’t have a septic tank. Our team will assess whether we can use hydro jetting on your main drain line or if we need to use a drain snake or rooter machine.
Schedule Your Drain Cleaning
When you need drain cleaning in Louisville, Kentucky, Absolute Services is your best bet. Our licensed and trained plumbers will clear your stubborn clogs so your water can flow freely through your pipes again. Contact us by phone or through our online form to get the ball rolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need hydro jetting or drain snaking?
These two drain cleaning methods are both effective, but they have different end results. Drain snaking uses a rotating cable to punch holes through blockages. This tactic is great for smaller clogs or for creating water passageways in emergencies. Hydro jetting uses a rotating nozzle and pressurized water to fully clean out the full diameter of your pipe. Hydro jetting offers better long-term success and can clear issues like tough root intrusions.
How often should I get my drains professionally cleaned?
It’s generally a good idea to reach out for professional drain cleaning in Louisville, KY, at least once a year. However, if you live in an older home or have suffered from drainage issues in the past, a bi-annual approach is usually better. Regular low-maintenance cleanings every couple of weeks can also help fend off clogs before they turn into major blockages.
How much will my drain cleaning cost?
It depends on several factors. The most influential variables include which drain cleaning method is the right call for your home, the extent of the work, accessibility, and any complexities that arise during the cleaning. For example, running a quick snaking operation on a single clog will always be cheaper than hydro jetting a full sewer line. Your plumber will let you know what to expect once they decide on a strategy.