Drain Cleaning

yellow rubber glove holding a hair ball with soap scum, probably from shower drain

Keep Your Plumbing System Flowing

Clogged drain pipes are a nasty yet typical problem with modern plumbing systems. Grease, food, hair, soap scum, and other debris can all accumulate in your drainage lines. As this happens, the diameter of the usable pipe space decreases, hindering the flow of water. This results in bubbling and/or slow drainage. Although there are many drain cleaners for sale in stores and online, sometimes they are not powerful enough to break through the buildup, and hiring a plumber becomes necessary. If you need drain cleaning in Chino, CA, reach out to the professionals at JIG PLUMBING. We can eliminate whatever is clogging your drains and help you enjoy a fully functional residential plumbing system. Call 844-899-9054 to get started.

Why do I need drain cleaning?

People flush the wrong things down the toilet all the time. Hair, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and an excessive amount of toilet paper can all clog up your drain lines. Often, clogs reveal themselves through slow-draining sinks, bathtubs, and showers. Toilets that bubble when you flush them, or toilets with water seeping from beneath could also hint at clogs.

In the kitchen, pouring fat and grease down the sink can cause drainage issues. While many fats are liquid when heated, as they cool down, they harden. Add to this coagulated fat baby wipes, kitty litter, and any other debris you flush down the toilet, and you’re left with a “fatberg.” A fatberg has a core of grease or oil, with non-biological waste — like tampons, condoms, and baby wipes — surrounding its core. Left unattended, fatbergs continue growing until they totally block the pipe and render it useless.

Aside from fatbergs, tree roots can cause drain pipes to clog. Roots are attracted to the warm moisture that emanates from your pipes and try to grow close to them. With time, roots can wrap themselves around pipes and choke them out.

How can I prevent clogs in my drain?

There are several ways that homeowners can lessen the likelihood of clogs in their pipes. Ensuring that there is some kind of cover on your drain is the first step in keeping pipes clog-free. If you use the dishwasher, make sure to scrape leftovers into the trash before putting dishes in your machine. Similarly, even if you have a garbage disposal, it’s a good idea to dump food in the trash; leave the disposal for smaller pieces of food that may have missed the trash can. 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and periodically cleansing your drain lines can prevent buildup accumulation. Cleaning your drains is easy. Simply pour boiling water down the drain a few times each month. You can also pour eight ounces of white vinegar down the drain, let it sit for half an hour, and then pour two quarts of boiling water down the drain to flush it out.  

plumbing snake in kitchen sink drain

Can I unclog my pipes on my own?

While a plumber may be needed for some drain cleaning services, there are other, more simple fixes that can be done at home. If your bathroom sink is draining slowly, straighten out a wire hanger and bend one end into a hook. Slide the end with the hook down the drain, and wiggle it around. As you encounter resistance, gently pull up the hanger. You’ll likely find black clumps of scum, buildup, hair, and other unpleasantness, so gloves and a nearby trashcan are essential. 

If your toilet is clogged, a plunger is always helpful. Be sure to totally submerge the plunger’s bell, and give a small plunge to ensure all the air is out. After, give a few forceful plunges. That should be enough to get things flowing again. Even if nothing happens, keep plunging. Sometimes it takes about a dozen good plunges to eliminate larger clogs. 

If you’ve taken these measures and are still experiencing problems with your drains, call your local plumber. In Chino, CA, drain cleaning is a call away at 844-899-9054. Our team can help eliminate fatbergs and other obstructions in your pipes, so reach out today.