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What Are the Different Types of Drain Clearing & Cleaning?

Drain snake tool being used for plumbing maintenance by Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical

Slow and clogged sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets are frustrating, but we often don’t think about their impact on your drains and sewer line.

Don’t live with slow drains, and don’t put off professional drain services if you have clogs in multiple drains or a clog that you can’t clear with DIY methods like plunging and pouring boiling water down the drain.

Contact a licensed and certified plumber as soon as possible if you suspect the clog is in your sewer line. You don’t want to delay service and end up with a sewage backup, which could cause property damage and risk your household’s health.

Call Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical at (480) 550-9943 or contact us online to schedule your drain cleaning service in the Phoenix Metro Area!

Drain Snaking

Professional plumbers use drain snakes to clear sink clogs, but handy DIYers can also use them.

This drain clearing tool sends a coiled steel wire down the drain by cranking a handle. The snake breaks up the clog or grabs it and pulls it out.

After you’ve dislodged the clog, run water at full blast for a few minutes to flush the pipes. Call a plumber if the drain is still clogged after you’ve snaked twice.

Drain Augering

A drain auger is similar to a drain snake but is best for larger drains in your toilet and shower or outdoor plumbing because they have a wider diameter and are longer. Instead of being cranked by hand, most augers run on a motor.

Plumbers are well-trained on how to use this tool, and when a drain auger is used incorrectly, you could worsen the clog or damage your pipes.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is a newer method and works great for sewer pipes, though older piping materials may not withstand high water pressure.

The water shoots through a hose with a special nozzle, disintegrating or dislodging clumps of hair, soap, grease, dirt, mineral deposits, and more.

It clears clogs and improves water flow without anyone digging in your yard or cutting into your foundation. Hydro jetting improves your plumbing system’s efficiency and helps prevent future clogs and breaks.

Hydrojetting

Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning vs. Sewer Cleaning

Although there are effective DIY approaches to clogs, chemical drain cleaners aren’t one of them. These harsh products will most likely damage your pipes without even clearing the clog.

Common signs that you need professional drain cleaning or clearing include:

  • Slow or stopped drains
  • Standing water in sinks, showers, or tubs
  • Unusual bubbling or gurgling sounds
  • An overflowing toilet

However, you could have a blockage in your sewer line if you notice:

  • Bubbling toilets
  • Unpleasant sewage smells from drains
  • Multiple drains clogging at the same time
  • Septic tank overflow in yard

Benefits of Video Camera Pipe Inspections

A professional plumber can use a video camera inspection to determine the best approach to your drain or sewer problem. The camera helps pinpoint the location of the blockage and makes it possible to identify:

  • Sagging pipes
  • Grease buildup in your sewer line
  • Loose joints
  • Tree root infiltration
  • Hairline cracks

How You Can Prevent Drain & Sewer Line Clogs

If you want your household pipes and sewer line to flow freely and prevent clogs, overflows, and backups, schedule drain cleaning service with Penguin, Air, Plumbing & Electrical every 18 to 22 months. Preventative drain cleaning is routine plumbing maintenance we recommend to all homeowners.

No matter what plumbing service you need, we provide upfront pricing and a 100% money-back, “job done right” guarantee because you always win with Penguin!

Call Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical for the best sewer and drain cleaning in Phoenix — we even offer 24/7 emergency plumbing! Call [site_info_phone_number] or contact us online to schedule service now!

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