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Annoying Slow Drains? This Is How to Fix Them

cleaning-a-bathroom-sink-drain-with-a-drain-snake

You probably have an image in your head of what a plumbing emergency looks like. Water is gushing like a geyser and people are running around with buckets and wrenches. Your sink or tub taking a very long time to drain probably doesn’t seem like an emergency to you. But it is a huge inconvenience! 

We’ll give you some pointers on how you can address slow drains yourself, and what tools and techniques a plumber can use to help. We’ll also include some warning signs to keep an eye out for, because sometimes, a slow drain is the first sign of a much bigger problem that you don’t want to ignore. After all, you definitely don’t want to end up with a real plumbing emergency on your hands.

Liquid Drain Cleaner: Don’t Do It!

First, a quick word about the highly caustic liquids with hazardous fumes sold as “drain cleaner” at your hardware store. They don’t do a great job of eliminating clogs. They’re better at damaging your piping, burning your skin, and irritating your eyes and respiratory system. It’s not worth it.

Pliers, Plungers & Snakes

If you have a single drain with a clog that is slowing it down, try these methods. If you can see the clog, such as a tangle of hair in your shower drain, grab it with pliers and pull. If you can’t see the clog, a small sink plunger might dislodge it. And in either case, if those methods don’t work, a disposable plastic drain snake or hand-cranked auger might be able to snag the blockage.

Professional Tools

If your clog is un-budgeable with these tools, reach out to a professional plumber with experience in drain cleaning in Collegeville, PA. Our team has access to much more powerful tools, with the training necessary to use them safely. Instead of a simple hand-crank, our augers are motorized, allowing them to do bigger jobs with ease. We even have the option of hydro-jetting, or using pressurized water to blast through blockages and completely clean out your pipes.

Warning Signs

Sometimes, the problem isn’t located at one specific fixture. If you spot any of these indicators, it’s likely that you don’t just have a clump of hair and soap scum, or an accumulation of food waste and grease. There’s something wrong deeper down within your plumbing.

  • Multiple Clogs: If the problem exists in more than one drain simultaneously.
  • Frequent Clogs: If you experience clogging often, such as every month.
  • Bad Smells: If your home’s drains give off a foul odor.
  • Gurgling: If it sounds like something is bubbling up from within your drains.

These signs can indicate a serious issue with the drain pipe that carries all the water from your home’s drains to the municipal sewer, or with the venting system that prevents sewer gas from leaking into your home. Again, our team of qualified plumbers is ready to help with our hydro-jetting equipment, and even with video pipe inspection to pinpoint the location of your problem and get it resolved.

Contact Platinum Plumbing & Heating, Inc. today to schedule an appointment with our pros.

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