Drain Cleaning Services in Torrance, CA

Pouring water in a clogged tubDoes your drain really have a clog down in its pipes, or is it just a little slow at draining due to some other defect? The answer is not always obvious. However, there are a few surefire indicators that a clog has formed or is forming in a drain. It just comes down to being able to recognize them.

Call us for drain cleaning services if you notice:

• Pooling water: The water that goes down a drain should pretty much wash away as quickly as you expect. If it is slowing down to the point of pooling, then there is likely a clog in the pipes. The longer it takes to start pooling, the further down the drain it might be.
• Bubbling sounds: Water rushing down a drain should sound just like that. If it sounds like bubbles or gurgles, then there is likely a clog in the line. This causes the water to swirl or temporarily pool before draining away.
• Foul stenches: Do you get hit with a bad smell in the air whenever you walk into the bathroom or kitchen? It could be a sign that a clog of rotting materials is stuck in the drain. As the clog worsens, the foul smell gets stronger, filling more and more of your home.

Some of the most common things that end up down drains and clogging them are:

• Food Waste - Not everything you can eat can be destroyed by garbage disposal. Starchy pasta, stringy vegetables, coffee grounds, and fatty foods, for example, will all increase the chances of your kitchen drain getting clogged.
• Nonbiodegradable Waste - Remember that the drains in your home are not trash cans. Never put paper, plastic, and cardboard into a sink, toilet, or garbage disposal. Even small scraps can create the foundation for a huge clog.
• Menstrual Hygiene Pads - Along the same line of thinking, only dispose of menstrual hygiene products in a trashcan. Although placing them in the toilet to flush away might seem convenient, it will be extremely inconvenient when a clog later forms.
• Hair - Bathtub and shower drains are usually clogged by wads of hair. Using a hair catch over the drain can stop most hair from flowing down there, but it is not guaranteed to be 100% effective. Soap scum residue from bathing can also build inside of a drain.
• Toys - If you have any small children in your home, then you probably already know that they can be a menace for your plumbing by putting small toys into toilets and sinks.
• Dirt, Sticks, and Dust - Garage, basement, and outdoor drains are susceptible to being clogged with natural debris, like dirt and sticks. When dirt becomes wet, it becomes mud, so trying to wash dirt down a drain might actually just make things worse.

There are a few home DIY tricks you can rely on to try and unclog a drain. However, take this advice with a grain of salt. The best and safest way to handle a severe clog is to consult an experienced and licensed plumber near you.

Start with hot water. Boiling water is the best course of action if some liquid can trickle down the drain. Hot water melts whatever fats might be holding on to other debris in your pipes.

If the clog is too severe to let through any liquid, your next course of action should be to snake the drain with an old wire hanger or with an inexpensive drain snake from your local hardware store. Either of these tools will allow you to pull out any gunk and throw it away. If your drain clears more after this, consider using hot water.

Some will recommend pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain. This chemical reaction will clean your drains, but you must be careful if your pipes are old. Baking soda and vinegar create gas in your pipes, which, in turn, pushes any debris up or down the drain. However, if your pipes are old, this could damage them.