A slow-draining sink, an overflowing toilet, or a backed-up drain can mean a clog in your plumbing system or the sewer line. Foul odors can also mean a drain is blocked. You might have a plunger or bought a liquid drain cleaner. But these won’t fix the cause of frequent slow or clogged drains. Here are a few reasons we suggest calling a local plumber for professional drain cleaning:

Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Damage Plumbing

Chemical cleaners can do more harm than good. While using a store-bought cleaner once or twice shouldn’t cause a problem, using it repeatedly can, as it will just keep pushing the clog further down the pipe. Some compounds can eat away at metal pipes, weakening them and eventually causing them to break. Leaks can occur long before this happens. A chemical cleaner can also generate heat that can weaken plastic and other softer pipe materials. 

Drain Problems Can Cause Damage and Create Hazards

If not resolved, a clogged drain can cause water to overflow and damage floors, walls, furnishings, and building materials. It can also lead to health hazards such as mold and bacteria, which is another good reason to call a plumber. Slow or clogged drains leave behind plenty of moisture. Therefore, growing colonies of mold can release toxins known to cause illness and bacteria capable of causing serious infections. Call a drain cleaning professional ASAP to avoid such situations.

Plumbers Use Video Cameras to See the Problem Up Close

Nowadays, plumbers don’t rely on guesswork. They run video inspection cameras through pipes on long, flexible cables. This allows them to see the clog up close, what it’s made of, and if there’s additional damage. If the pipe is cracked or compromised by tree roots, the technician can determine where and how to replace it to reduce the likelihood of future issues.

A Plumbing Technician Can Prevent Future Clogs

One concern with drain clogs is they tend to recur. Professional drain cleanings can focus on tools and techniques that prevent the inconvenience from happening repeatedly. Clogs are more than an inconvenience that makes plumbing fixtures unusable. They put pressure on pipes and fittings and can be severe enough to cause a catastrophic flood. Plumbers can even perform preventative drain cleanings to help avoid problems during, for example, Portland’s rainy season. Scheduling maintenance in September or October is a good idea.

Professionals Use Specialized Equipment

Plungers and consumer drain snakes won’t resolve stubborn clogs or severe blockages. A plumber will instead use a heavy-duty auger for a process known as cabling. They twist a metal coil into the drain line that can hook onto the material blocking the pipe. The goal is to remove it manually. 

Hydro jetting is another method used if a camera inspection doesn’t find damage. It involves forcing high-pressure water through your plumbing system. The hose is often attached to the cleanout and delivers water from a pressurized tank. The force of the water and gravity push the debris through the pipes instead of removing it and also washes debris off a pipe’s interior walls. Hydro jetting can clear grease, tree roots, mineral scale deposits, and other buildup.

Call Sky to Schedule Drain Cleaning

There are many causes of clogged drains. Our licensed plumbing technicians provide professional drain cleaning services in Portland and can quickly restore your home plumbing system. They can use augers, hydro jetting, or power rooters to clear drain lines and prevent water from backing up and overflowing. We’re available 24/7 for emergency service to protect your health and safety. To request or schedule drain cleaning in your home, call (503) 563-2698 today.