When homeowners have issues with their drains, they often ask about drain cleaning instead of drain clearing. They have some similarities and several differences. Essentially they will both remove dirt and trash from a drain pipe.
However, clearing focuses on clogs in a specific area for water flow. Drain cleaning removes dirt, debris, and clogs from pipes. Plumbing by Jake offers both services for homeowners in Bullhead City.
What Is Drain Clearing?
Best suited for new homes and drainage systems, drain clearing removes clogs for proper water flow. Our Bullhead City plumbers will remove some pieces of the clog using machines.
The water flow will then continue as it should after clearing the clog. It is often a short-term solution since some of the clogged particles will remain. However, drain clearing can buy you some time to take further action.
Plumbers often perform Bullhead City drain-clearing services using a snake tool. It has small sharp metal blades that get power from a motor. The snake is inserted into the pipe, and the blades will cut the clogged particles.
Using this method results in removing parts of the clog. You will need drain cleaners to remove the remnants of the clog thoroughly.
What Is Drain Cleaning?
Drain cleaning is a long-term solution. It works best on old drain pipes or when there are multiple clogs. The process will involve cleaning out all grease, clogs, and anything else getting in the way of the water flow. Drain cleaning is more expensive than drain clearing.
Unlike clearing, plumbers in Bullhead City will use a water hose. It will blast water into the pipes to clean them. There are no clog remnants left behind.
Differences Between Clearing and Cleaning Your Drain
The main difference between the two services is the procedure and how much of the clog is removed from the pipe. Clearing is a short-term solution, and cleaning is a permanent solution. Tools and costs are other differentials.
Clearing is less expensive than cleaning. Before requesting plumbing services, many homeowners will try to DIY the project.
Using a plunger or drain cleaning solution is a horrible idea. Cleaning solutions have acid that can eat through your pipes, causing other issues.
Plungers are bad because they use air pressure to clean the clog and can also damage your pipe walls and drainage systems permanently. There are different ways to handle a clog, but the best solution is to call Plumbing By Jake for help.
What Causes Drain Clogs?
Your drains will see a lot of action, and anything that goes down the drain can cause a clog. This can include food, grease, hair, and other debris. One clog can cause the rest of the pipes in your home to back up.
If there is enough backup, the pipes can burst. It is best to handle a clog as soon as you notice it to avoid a plumbing emergency later. You can try to prevent clogs by using drain covers or strainers. These covers and strainers will catch hair, oil, grease, and more.
Signs You Need Drain Clearing
There are several signs you can look for that indicate you have a clog and need Bullhead City drain clearing services. When you see the following signs, call Plumbing By Jake:
- Toilets not flushing properly
- Foul smells from your drains
- Water is backing up in toilets, floor drains, sinks, or tubs
- Bathtubs, sinks, and showers are taking longer to drain
- Pooling in your yard
Sometimes you will see signs of a clog in your bathroom, but the culprit is somewhere else in the home. These clogs can happen in any room that has pipes. You should call our plumbing team to get your drains cleared.
Tools Plumbers Might Use
Unfortunately, clogged drains are very common. Plumbers will have different methods and tools to address various types of clogs. Drain augers are the most common tool when clearing a clog and are more commonly known as snakes.
However, a plumber in Bullhead City can use different kinds of augers to clear your drain. A motorized auger utilizes a hand crank and is best for stubborn or large clogs. The motor will drill into the center of the clog and will break it apart. It is then drawn back up, and your water should flow properly.
Augers
As the name suggests, a toilet auger is best used for toilet clogs. It has a long metal rod that bends. It is intended to reach deep into the toilet system beyond the bottom of the bowl and will then break down the clog.
Lastly, a sink auger is made for sinks and bathtub clogs. It has a flexible stainless steel cable. The angler can rotate as it goes through your piping.
Factors that Can Impact Your Drain Clearing Service
While drain clearing is less expensive than cleaning, some factors can complicate your clearing and, therefore, your costs. One complication is the location of the clog. There is a central and secondary drain line.
The secondary line connects to the main line. The process is often more straightforward if the clog is found in the secondary line. The main line can require additional inspections to locate and clear the clog.
Severity
Another consideration is the severity of the clog. Sometimes you think it is a minor clog, and it is much worse than expected after a plumber begins to investigate. If you have a severe clog, your plumber might need additional equipment to complete the clearing.
When plumbers need camera inspections to find the location of the clog, that can also complicate matters. Of course, these factors will not be the case in every home, and your plumber will inform you of any complications.
Talk to a Bullhead City Plumber Today
The plumbing in your home is vital to your comfort and daily life. Do not try to handle these issues alone. You could end up causing additional damage.
Instead, you should call Plumbing By Jake for professional drain-clearing services in Bullhead City. Call our office or fill out a form to speak to our service team today.
