Clogged Drain 101: Safe Ways to Clear Drains

Few household frustrations are quite as annoying as a clogged drain. One moment, the water is flowing freely, and the next, it’s backing up in your kitchen sink, pooling around your ankles while you’re showering, or causing your toilet bowl to overflow. Your first thought might include searching for a quick fix, like using a chemical drain cleaner. However, a quick approach is often an incorrect approach. You could end up escalating the situation, leading to bigger, more costly problems down the road.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy Clogged Drains 101 guide. As your local plumbing experts, our goal is to educate you on the correct, safe ways to clear drains and to explain why professional solutions from experts like us at Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical are always the best choice for your home in Weatherford, TX.

The Common Culprits Behind Clogged Drains

Clogged drains don’t happen by accident. Blockages occur when substances build up inside the drain over time. When you know what substances to avoid putting in the drains, you can prevent most blockages.

Hair and Soap Scum

Hair is the number one culprit of clogged bathroom drains. As it goes down the shower or bathtub drain, it acts like a net, trapping other debris. When you combine hair with other waxy substances such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner, you end up with a large, sticky clump in your pipes. It’s this clump in the pipes that causes drains to slow down, eventually turning into a full-fledged clog.

Grease and Oil

In your kitchen, grease and oil are the primary culprits of drain clogs. Many people put cooking oil in their drains, thinking it’s harmless. What happens, though, is that cooking oil solidifies as it cools. Those substances cool and solidify as they travel through your pipes. They become formidable blockages that prove very difficult to remove without professional plumbing services.

Foreign Objects

Sometimes, clogs happen because foreign objects get stuck in the drain. Our plumbers commonly find cotton swabs, dental floss, hygiene products, and even small toys in drains. These items can fall into toilets and sinks accidentally and unbeknownst to the homeowner. In households with small children, we recommend installing child locks on toilets to prevent the accidental flushing of toys. Children’s curiosity about toilets can quickly result in a clogged drain.

Why DIY Drain Cleaning Can Be a Risky Gamble

If you have a clogged toilet or sink, you might think that quick DIY methods can fix the problem for less. In some cases, do-it-yourself methods get the job done.

The Limitation of Plungers

How many times have you had a backed-up toilet and plunged it? The water releases, and the problem doesn’t return. That’s the ideal situation, right? However, plunging a toilet won’t work when a foreign object has gotten stuck or a clog has formed deep in the pipes. In these instances, you need professional drain cleaning services to prevent more serious plumbing problems.

The Problem with Chemical Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaners sold in stores contain harsh, corrosive chemicals. These chemicals eat away at sticky clumps in pipes, but they also eat away at pipe material. Relying on chemical drain cleaners to get rid of clogs can lead to leaky pipes and complete pipe failure over time.

Improper Use of Drain Snakes

Home improvement stores sell DIY drain snakes. This tool contains a metal coil that you feed into the drain and cut through or push through the clog. If you don’t use the snake correctly, you risk scratching your toilet bowl or sink, puncturing the pipe, and causing further compaction of the clog.

Signs It’s Time to Call the Pros

How do you know when a drain issue is beyond a simple fix and requires professional attention? Use this list as your guide:

• The clog won’t clear with a plunger
• Multiple drains are clogged at the same time
• You hear gurgling sounds from drains or toilets
• Water backs up in a sink or bathtub
• Foul or sewage-like odors coming from the drains
• The problem keeps returning

If you experience any of these problems in your home, you need a licensed plumber.

Professional Solutions for Clogged Drains

When you choose the safe, effective methods professionals use, you’re choosing to invest in the health and longevity of your home’s plumbing system. Pipe and drain replacement aren’t inexpensive fixes. Improperly clearing a clog can also lead to an increase in pest activity in your home, put your household at risk of exposure to sewer water, and cause water damage.

Licensed plumbers use a variety of methods to ensure they clear the clog the first time around. Here are three we use:

• Industry-grade snakes: Unlike the small, hand-cranked snakes you can buy at hardware stores, a plumber uses powerful, motorized augers designed to navigate the twists and turns of your pipes without causing damage. We have the right training and equipment to pinpoint the exact location of a clog and break it apart safely. Professional snaking is far more effective and less risky than a DIY attempt, ensuring the blockage is completely removed without scratching or puncturing your plumbing lines.

• Hydro Jetting: For the toughest blockages, hydro jetting is a highly effective solution. Using a specialized hose, similar to a power washer’s, hydro jetting delivers a high-pressure stream of water to blast away even the most stubborn clogs. It clears the immediate blockage and scours the interior of your pipes, rinsing away years of mineral buildup, grease, and other debris. It’s the ideal solution for major clogs or for routine drain maintenance.

• Drain Camera Inspections: When the cause of a clog is a mystery, a non-invasive drain camera inspection can offer clues. Using a flexible, high-resolution camera, plumbers snake it into your pipe, providing a clear, live video feed of the interior. This allows our plumbers to accurately see the problem — whether it’s a stubborn blockage, a cracked pipe, or tree root intrusion — and determine the most effective and targeted solution without any guesswork.

Professional Drain Cleaning Offers Long-term Solutions

While a DIY approach to a clogged drain might seem like a quick and affordable fix, a professional, long-term solution is always the safer bet. As we mentioned earlier, chemical drain cleaners can corrode your pipes, and using the wrong equipment can push a clog further down the line or even damage your plumbing. By relying on the expertise of trained professionals, you not only guarantee that your drain is cleared properly but also that your home’s entire plumbing system is protected from costly repairs in the future.

For reliable plumbing service in the North Texas region, look no further than Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical. We are the trusted experts for safe and effective drain clearing in Weatherford, TX. Our team is equipped with the latest tools, including professional snaking and powerful hydro jetting systems, to tackle any clog, big or small.

We’re also available for routine maintenance and other essential plumbing services, from water heater installation to sewer line repairs, ensuring your home’s systems run smoothly. For all your plumbing needs, contact Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today!