Clogged drains are a common problem for homeowners. Water that drains slowly or doesn’t move at all is a nuisance that can interrupt your day. Have you ever wondered what exactly is down there? What’s causing your drain to back up? Here are some answers straight from professional plumbers.
Different Blockages
There are actually several ways that your drains can become blocked. The most common household blockages are caused by:
- Food particles
- Human hair
- Bits of paper and plastic
- Dirt and pebbles
- Dropped objects
- Spring root growth
Each of these blockages form differently, which means that plumbers like The Drain Dudes – Your Local Plumber with Solutions have several tools that they can use to clear the drain.
Chemical Treatments
Even households that carefully remove leftover food before washing the dishes can end up with a surprising amount of debris lodged in the pipes beneath the sink. These small pieces get stuck on the sides of pipes and collect in small crevices, slowly accumulating to the point that normal draining becomes difficult.
When someone discovers that their sink isn’t draining quickly, they’re apt to reach for a bottle of drain cleaner. This is the most common chemical treatment. If this doesn’t work, the next step is to call The Drain Dudes – Your Local Plumber with Solutions. Depending on your plumber’s evaluation, a second chemical treatment may be attempted. Professional plumbers have access to heavy duty chemical treatments that aren’t available on the general market.
Mechanical Treatments
Instead of treating the blockage chemically, your plumber might attempt a mechanical solution. Long narrow tools, such as the plumber’s snake, can be used to dislodge the blockage or break it into smaller pieces.
During spring, the roots of nearby trees start to expand – sometimes directly into your pipes. This poses serious risk to plumbing of all kinds; the small pipes of residential buildings are particularly at risk. Special sharp tools have to be employed to destroy the invasive root growth. This chore may have to be done once a year but it’s easy when you can rely on The Drain Dudes – Your Local Plumber with Solutions.
Direct Access
Finally, if chemical and mechanical treatments have failed, or if the problem is far advanced, a more direct form of treatment may be necessary. A plumber may access and remove portions of pipe to investigate the block up close. At this point the block can be removed and any damage done by it repaired. It’s sometimes necessary to replace cracked or broken pipes; if it is, The Drain Dudes – Your Local Plumber with Solutions will let you know.
