clogged drain?

Clogged drains are always frustrating and inconvenient. They can present in a variety of ways, and sometimes even politely give you a warning like a gurgling sound or a slowness to drain that helps customers know when to call a professional.

It’s a good idea to call JetSurge at the first warnings signs of a problem to reduce expensive damage to property, personal items and the drainage system itself.

the basics

Sewer drainage systems are designed to carry waste water away from Small Drains within a structure (sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, urinals, floor drains, etc) to a larger diameter pipe at the end of the line that we call a Main Line. This main line then carries waste to to public city sewer, private sewer, individual sewage disposal system, septic tank, or other point of disposal.

what causes a clogged drain?

Clogs can form at any point within a sewer drainage system for a number of reasons. Some of the common issues we find are shown below, but are in no way a full and complete list of causes.

TREE ROOTS & root intrusion

Roots, by nature, must find water to sustain life. Once a line has root intrusion, it becomes a big job for property owner’s to manage them with annual preventative maintenance cleanings, as the roots have already created their access points in the drain line. JetSurge steps in to clear the roots whenever you need us!

We a series of steps to clear tree roots, depending on the amount of tree root intrusion. Most often we attempt to clear tree roots with a cable machine for up to 2 hours. If the root intrusion is extensive and cannot be cleared with cabling, we recommend Hydro-Jetting services to cut roots from the line and push all the debris out to the city sewer or septic tank.

In the cases of extensive root growth, we recommend taking the extra step of booking a Full Flow Restoration to hydro-jet the line then televise after the service to confirm the condition of the pipe, the absence of roots, and prove visually that the line is flowing freely.

excessive waste

When you have to go, you have to go. If toilets are unable to take excessive waste, have a hard time flushing waste, have repeat clog issues, or are making gurgling noises (venting issues), customers should call JetSurge right away to get the clog cleared before it poses issues further down the line.

Food waste & grease

Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals are really only designed to process the small bits of food that naturally drain from washing dishes. Customers should avoid putting anything down the line that could cause clogs. Some of the repeat issues we see are from things like bacon grease, meat or bones, fibrous materials like leafy greens & corn silks, coffee grounds, noodles and potato peels. These items should always be disposed of in the trash. Care should be taken to always run hot water before and after using a garbage disposal to ensure the small food particles flow freely through the entire drainage system.

sludge, sediment & hard water buildup  

Sludge is essentially a slurry of gray water from your drainage system, mixing with buildup within a drain. This is common in lines with frequent use. The best way to clear sludge is by cabling and routine maintenance with a professional drain cleaning product. Click here to learn more about Drain Armour, our biological drain cleaner.

Older fixtures with repeat issues can often have sediment and hard water deposit buildup that limit proper flow and pressure of water coming through the flushing system. This limitation can cause repeat backups simply because the amount or pressure of water being pushed into the toilet is not enough to clear even some standard amounts of waste. In these cases, older fixtures are recommended to be replaced. For toilets, we always recommend American Standard.

unflushables, foreign objects & debris

Many products that are marketed as ‘flushable’ are, in fact, not flushable. With repeat or excessive use, these can cause major issues for customers until they discontinue flushing them. Products we often see include: tampons, wipes, paper towels and other paper toiletry products. It is best to only flush a reasonable amount of standard toilet paper as it is the only product specifically designed to break down with water and ensure a free flowing drainage system.

Other items that are unflushable but often found in lines are foreign objects. These are small objects used near open drains that can become lodged inside. It would take days to list all the foreign objects we have found in drain lines over the years, but common ones to be aware of are: childrens’ toys, product caps, razors, dental floss, rags, and product wrappers. Customers should take care when using small objects near open drain lines.

Debris is a common finding with floor drains in basements and garages. Sand, salt, dirt, lint and other debris is often swept into these drains in an effort to clean up, but over time this buildup of debris can cause difficult-to-clear clogs. Customers should ensure that any accumulated debris near open drains is disposed of in a waste basket.

broken, damaged or defective pipes

Pipes that are not maintained and kept in good condition can cause clogs anywhere within the system as waste gets caught up on the problem area(s).

If the frequency of clogs is excessive, it is a good idea to have the problem line inspected for potential issues. Depending on the outcome of that inspection, JetSurge may recommend contacting a licensed plumbing professional to make the repairs or updates needed to get your lines flowing freely.

FULL SEPTIC TANKS

If you have a septic tank and are experiencing a clogged drain, it is always wise to contact your preferred Septic Cleaning company before dispatching a drain cleaning company for a clogged drain. Septic Cleaning companies can calculate whether your septic tank is full (and needs pumped) based on your home’s septic records, tank size and personal usage.

Full septic tanks can pose a safety threat to our technicians and our equipment, as cables, cameras and/or jetting equipment can become lodged in a full septic tank. We require all customers with septic tanks to confirm that their tank is properly cleaned/pumped or confirmed not full by a professional and licensed Septic Cleaning company (does not need pumping) before we begin work. Should our equipment become lodged in a septic tank without this confirmation, it is the responsibility of the customer to have our equipment removed safely or be replaced.