7 Signs That Tell You Need Drain Cleaning Done By Our Licensed Plumbers in Chicago

 

Signals of Clogged Drains You Need to Watch Out For

Drains are one of the most important components of your home that people often taken for granted.

We wouldn’t know how vital they are until we encounter a problem.   A clogged drainage system is one major problem that can give you much headache and inconvenience.

The drains inside your house basically convey the sewage and other wastes materials and remove them for disposal.   Although they can be reliable structures and can function at optimum levels for a long time, your house drains can be susceptible to wear and tear of everyday use. 

Contact Our Chicago Plumbing Professionals Immediately

A clogged drain is a serious problem that requires immediate attention from our local technicians.  When the problem happens, it restricts the normal function of the pipe, leaving water and waste trapped in the system.

As a result, trapped debris can potentially back up into your home leaving a pungent smell and usually dirty waters.  If this occurs, you should immediately stop using your plumbing system and call us look at the problem.

In This Article, we will be covering:

• The importance of drains in your home
• How serious drain clogs are
• What causes clogged drains
• Top 7 signs that your drains need to be cleaned
• DIY options to drain cleaning
• Tools you can use to clear drains
• How to unclog a drain pipe
• How to clear drain blockage
• Home remedies for clogged bathtub drains
• How to prevent clogged drains
• Should I DIY or call the professionals for drain cleaning pros and cons
• Knowing when to call professional plumbers for the job
• Clogged drain services we can offer
• What is video sewer inspection
• Drain and sewer cleaning services
• Why plumbers use cameras for sewer inspection
• Camera inspections for locating off grade pipes and cracks
• Understanding root intrusions

A defective drainage pipe is something that has to be done by the pros as a self-remedy would often lead to more complications. Also, DIY treatments and looking for simple instruction guides on the net does not equip you with the effective means to get rid of what is causing the obstruction and can often worsen the situation.

Do Your Drains Need to Be Cleaned?

A lot of people usually think that they only need drain cleaning when the impediment completely forms in the line. Most often this is not the only case as there are a lot of warning signs that can indicate you need to have the outlet cleaned. When some manifestations of the problem occur, the quicker you act by giving us a call, the more time and energy you’ll save.

What are the Top 7 Signs I Should Look Out for When My Drains Get Clogged?

Bad Stench
Waste can stick to the walls of the pipe and may develop a bad smell over time. When your drains are clogged, it cannot draw in ventilation because of water blocking the pathway and causes the smell to recoil back inside your house. Kitchen sink pipes and bathroom drains are especially vulnerable to this problem because of the variety of wastes that accumulates in them. If you notice a bad smell coming from them, you should immediately schedule a drain cleaning services to stop the problem from developing any further.

Gurgling Sounds
A gurgling sound is often an indication that there is an impending problem with the drain. When water descends from the pipe, it causes oxygen to bubble up and make the sound. Complications from this sign can be eliminated when you give us a call.

Slow Drainage
As dirt and waste materials like soap, grease, and hair attach themselves on the walls of the drain pipes, over time, they accumulate and restrict the flow of water. This leads to water languidly coming out of the pipe and not with the intended flow. If you observe that the duct drains more and more slowly, it is a sign that it needs cleaning. If you call one of our professional Chicago plumbing contractors, you will more likely be able to prevent the buildup of hard to loosen substances.

Recurrent Clogs
Often, most homeowners try to find their own solution to the problem with readymade chemicals in the market. If the junk is not removed properly and water is not able to flow freely, it can result to standing water and can cause permanent damage to the pipes.

If your sink frequently experiences clogging, it can be a sign that we might need to check the problem. Recurrent clogs can indicate a heavy buildup of sediments and other materials which prevents water from flowing.

What Home Remedies Can I Use for Clogged Drains?

With chemical and non-chemical cleaners in the market today, it’s usually your decision what to use. 

Some people opt to use tools, while others rely on natural ingredients.  All we can say is.. you have to be careful and think before you pour different solutions down the drain.

Commercial Cleaners
(Warning: Do this at your own risk!) The first is commercial drain cleaners. These are dangerous chemicals that can be purchased at the store. Pure poison these work by eating away and dissolving hair and particles. The corrosive power of these chemicals does not stop with clogs alone. It can eat away at the pipe itself is used incorrectly and depending on the material of your pipe. The caustic nature of these chemicals is also dangerous for your health so use with great caution or avoid altogether.

DeClogging Tools
The most common cause of clogged drains in the bathroom and bathtub is hair. Particularly long hair.  Products that feature a thin and flexible piece of plastic with barbed sides, generally sold for $2 and up. These tools are wonderful because they fit right into the bathroom and bathtub sink, grab the hair and hair ties, and pull them right out

Another cheap tool is the “snake” and comes in different shapes for different needs. Each is around 5 dollars and can be compared to a pipe cleaner in flexibility with a handle at the end.

Note that you can make your own tools. For example, you can take a metal coat hanger, straighten it out, and make a hook on the end to grab the gunk. Videos on YouTube are quite helpful and learning how to unscrew sink and bathtub stoppers to reach clogs more easily. Remember to pull the gunk out, not push it through. Pushing it further down the drain will just lead to a deeper clog.

Homemade Cleaning Solutions
After using a tool to remove the hair and debris you can use a homemade drain cleaner to remove any remaining buildup.  The great thing is, most of these ingredients could be found in your kitchen!

To create your homemade drain cleaner, pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar into the drain, close the stopper, and allow it to bubble and sit for 30 minutes without use.

After half an hour, pour hot water down the drain to rinse it through. You may need to repeat this a couple times for drains with a bigger build-up. This homemade cleaner both deodorizes and cleans for a fresh, well working sink.
If you’re out of baking soda, you can also use the salt and cream of tartar solution.

Mix 1/2 cup of salt, half a cup of baking soda and about 1/4 cup cream of tartar in a bowl.  Pour this solution down your drain and then add a gallon of boiling water.  This allows the debris to break up.

Live Culture
Another alternative is to use live cultures of enzymes/bacteria to work through organic muck blocking your drain. Companies such as Earth Enzymes and Biokleen seem to have a lot of customers. If none of these steps has helped eliminate your clog, it is time to call us immediately.

After you have put in all this effort to clear your drain, take steps to keep it this way. Prevention is better than the treatment they say. Avoid brushing long hair over the sink and use your clog clearing tool, or cleaner once a month to clear any clogs starting to form.

Chemical Cleaners Can Make Matters Worse, Only Our Chicago Plumbing Contractors Can Do the Job Effectively

While they are readily available in the market, chemical cleaners do more harm than good.

They are not only harmful to your health but could make the clog worse. Chemicals can accumulate atop of the clog and potentially corrode the pipes.

This becomes an additional problem as you will be spending more than providing solution to your existing problem.

These also produce unhealthy fumes and can burn your skin. They can be especially harmful to your children and can lead to other health problems as well.  Getting the help of our licensed pros will save you the effort and often time consuming process of having to clear your drains from any clogs.

Also, as the obstruction from your drains is not visible, it can be hard to diagnose what really is causing the blockade. Improper use of tools and chemicals can sometimes be much more damaging.  If you are do not have the right equipment or possess the right knowledge, getting the help of our specialists can be much better.

Should I Just DIY or Go With Professional Drain Cleaning?

Although there may be a lot of handy people who can attempt to fix some problems inside their homes, the plumbing system inside your home is as complicated as it gets.

It should be left alone to the experts (like us) who can effectively provide solution to the problem.

Hiring us can help avoid costly mistakes because we possess adequate know-how and skills required to fix every aspect of your plumbing system.

Additionally, plumbing repairs and replacements can be unsafe most especially if it involves working with the complex network of your drains and can include unhealthy gases.

Are Your Drains Constantly Clogging?

The drains responsible for wastewater removal may easily become clogged due to hair, grease, food, toys, debris, and residual buildup. Frequently, techniques such as snaking and drain cleaning formulas are used in an attempt to address the problem.

To Recap, Here are Some Symptoms of Clogged Drains:

• Backed up sinks
• Slow draining sinks
• Bubbling toilet when you turn on your sink
• Gurgling from tub when dishwasher or washer used
• Unpleasant odors coming from the drain
• Toilet starts to overflow when flushed

When you are faced with a clogged drain, we strongly recommend NOT to reach for a drain cleaner as your first line of defense. These solutions use high concentrations of dangerous chemicals. If your drain is completely clogged, this chemical stew will sit in your pipes, corroding them and posing a health hazard for both you and the technicians who come to your aid.

If your clog is a minor when, a non-toxic drain cleaner, a plunger, and hot water may be all it takes to clear it out. Other times, the clog may be hard to pinpoint, or the standard solutions do not work. When this is the case, give us a call.

When Do I Call a Drain Cleaning Expert in Chicago?

Most of the time, drains will clear through, and your water flow will be restored. If, however, you are experiencing repeated clogs the issue may be deeper, and an inside view of your pipes will help you determine your next steps.

Are you tired of spending time, money, or both for a solution that doesn’t seem to last? Our technicians can quickly identify if the problem is in your pipes or the mainline through our advanced camera/sewer inspections. This technology uses state-of-the-art cameras that can pan, tilt, and most importantly travel the length of your pipes.

As the camera travels down the pipe it sends real-time video image transmissions to our trained contractors above. Based on the image feedback, our specialist can identify the location and source of your drain’s problems. The cameras our specialists use can enter pipes as small as two inches in diameter.

Without a visual image, plumbing technicians may only make educated guesses, and guesses can be very expensive if the problem is under your driveway or floor.

Excavating only to discover the guess was off is infuriating and costly. Our technicians can save you the hassle by providing you with an inside look at the world inside your pipes and precise information you can trust.

What Will Your Video Camera Inspection Show?

• Clogs
• Root Intrusions
• Off-grade pipes
• Corrosion
• Misalignments
• Punctures

Understanding Root Intrusion
Many of our clients from Chicago are surprised to learn that roots can intrude into the pipe and create clogs due to root growth within the pipe. But this is a very common problem.

Tree roots can travel a great distance from a nearby properly in their search for moisture. Even if your yard is free of shrubs and landscaping that could be a culprit, do not be quick to rule out this possibility.

If your PVC, Cast Iron, or clay drainage pipe leaks moisture, it will inevitably attract root intrusion. Drainage pipes often create condensation on the exterior of the pipe, acting as a magnet to plants seeking a water source. Once the roots find a hole, separation, or crack within the pipe, the roots begin to grow into the pipe leading to a block.

This is why solutions such as snaking leave you right back where you started within a month or two. Snaking can push past the roots without clearing them, allowing the water to drain and the clog to dissipate. As the roots grow back, the problem resurfaces.

So if you have to deal with a clogged drain, time after time again, call us today to schedule your camera/sewer inspection. The real-time video transmissions will cut to the source of your problem whether it is corrosion, root intrusion, or a host of other possibilities.

Are Camera InspectionsIdeal for Locating Off Grade Pipes and Cracks?

With a camera inspection, knowing the exact location of the problem is a breeze. The camera within the pipe transmits a signal allowing our technician to know and identify the exact location the problem.

This is especially important if the problem is under your driveway or floor. This service will greatly reduce your excavation and restoration costs.

Our skilled technician sticks in a flexible rod with a high resolution camera on its tips. The adjustable rod allows the camera to move in and around the pipe to check for potential problems.

Why Do We Use Video Cameras for Sewer Inspection?

Recovering lost items. Losing something valuable down the drainage can be a hopeless situation. Camera sewage inspection makes the task easy, saves you time and money in recovering sentimental items that accidentally went down the drain.

Scrutinizing potential homes. Potential homeowners generally do not want to inherit plumbing problems from previous homeowners. So, the best way to quickly establish that is to have your homes scheduled for a camera sewage inspection.

Probe the septic system. Camera sewer inspection gives you ample amount information about the health of your septic tank and informs you of any repairs or maintenance needed.

Remodeling investigations. This is quite important if you are remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. This gives you information whether your new kitchen or bathroom can tolerate new additions and rise in waste and flow.

While these are some reasons why you might need to have camera sewer inspection, they can also be beneficial for several other reasons.

No Presumptions
The problem can be determined and fixed right away with camera sewer inspection. Technicians are accurately able to detect any potential obstructions and problems to your sewer with the camera and radio transmitter they have at hand. This additionally saves time and is cost effective.

Determine Possible Problems
A camera sewer inspection can determine all possible types of problems like misaligned pipes, broken, off-grade, or corroded pipes, and root intrusion. The camera can also pinpoint leaks, grease buildup, and obstructions. Inspections can also be done again after the service to make sure that the line has been repaired or cleaned accordingly.

We understand your desire for the lowest prices and provide you with the most competitive rates around.

Why Individuals All Over Illinois Prefer Our Service

Dealing with constantly clogging drains is an obnoxious and messy problem. Many of our customers have learned of the freedom hiring a specialist can provide. Rather than search, find, and fix the problem themselves, they have chosen to put their problem into our capable hands. And the trust is not blind!

All of our technicians have been servicing these counties for years and our proud of giving our customers 100% satisfaction. All of our techs have had thorough background checks and drug screening performed, are fully licensed and insured, and professional in all aspects of their service.

Serious clogs will not be dented by your feeble attempts at snaking and homemade or dangerous commercial drain cleaners. “Knowing the problem is half the solution” are great words of wisdom when it comes to your plumbing problems.

With the right diagnosis, you will be well on your way to obtaining a solution guaranteed to fix your problem.

You can also rest assured that our techs follow sanitation and hygiene protocols, wearing shoe covers and placing drop cloths when necessary. We also make sure to perform a thorough clean-up after each repair or installation.

Contact our trained and insured Chicago plumbers. We are just one phone call away. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.