Drains get clogged all the time – mainly from things we put down them. A blockage can also occur because of a gradual build-up of substances such as fat, proteins, and cellulose.
But, a blockage can also happen because of items intruding over which we have no control, such as tree roots getting into old pipes, causing a build-up of detritus and a resultant blockage. , It seems clear that drains and sewer pipes are prone to clogging despite our best efforts, and they seem to cause back-ups at the most inconvenient times, often requiring 24-hour plumbing services to ‘save the day (or night)’. There is nothing worse than an overflowing toilet at 2 am!
Clean Drains Regularly To Prevent Clogging
You can avoid emergency situations by calling in a plumbing service to deal with the clogged drain as soon as you are aware of the problem. But, it is better to have your drains professionally cleaned and inspected by means of a regular maintenance schedule. Drains that are left to long become very clogged over time and can’t always be cleaned with an off-the-shelf drain cleaner. If you can still see and hear the symptoms of a clogged drain after using commercial drain cleaner or a plunger, you will need plumbing services to evaluate the situation and decide on the best course of action – chemical or mechanical unclogging. What works for one obstruction, won’t work for another.
Chemical Drain Unclogging
Plumbers use powerful non-commercial acidic or alkaline chemical cleaners that can do what your off-the-shelf drain cleaner can’t, but they are not suitable for the following:
- Large or very solid obstructions that have built up over time, and
- Obstructions caused by tree roots or others ingress through corroded sewer pipes.
In such cases, mechanical solutions are required.
Mechanical Drain Unclogging
To clear large or difficult to reach obstructions mechanical solutions are regarded, which include:
- Hand-held drain augers,
- Air-burst drain cleaners,
- Hydro-mechanical cleaners,
- Sewer jets,
- Sewer rods, and
- Electrical cleaners (also known as ‘plumber’s snakes’).
Sewer rodding and hydro-jetting are the most common methods used – ideal for clogged residues and obstructions that are difficult to dislodge.
Your plumber will often need to identify obstructions first by threading the same camera into the pipes that they’d use for pipes inspections.
24-Hour Plumbing Services
If you are in need of assistance with your clogged drains and pipes, wish to set up a maintenance schedule, or simply wish to have 24-hour plumbing services on call, get in touch with Almighty Rooter Sewer & Plumbing. We are the Chicago plumbing company that you can trust. We also offer our clients a free camera inspection (to the value of $250) with every sewer rodding and/or jetting job that we perform. Contact us today at 773-992-1587. Financing available!
