Learn How To Unclog Drains: What Do Plumbers Use | Clogged Drain Repair Houston

Waking up to a clogged drain is the last thing anyone wants, especially when it happens on a busy day. Clogged drains can cause all kinds of problems, from slow-draining sinks to major backups in your home, affecting the entire plumbing system. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. If you’ve been battling with drain clogs or backups, this guide will help you understand the tools and methods professional plumbers use to fix these issues fast.

At Red One Plumbing, we specialize in clearing tough clogs and restoring your drains to full working order. Whether it’s a simple sink clog or a serious sewer line issue, we’ve got the experience and the right tools to handle it. Let’s dive into how professionals like us solve drain clogs effectively.

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Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Before we jump into how we fix clogs, let’s look at what causes them in the first place. Anything you send down your drains can eventually lead to a clog. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Hair: Hair easily gets caught in bathroom drains and mixes with soap residue, forming clogs.
• Grease: Grease from cooking hardens as it cools, sticking to your pipes and building up over time.
• Food Waste: Items like pasta, rice, or potato peels can expand in your pipes and block the flow of water.
• Foreign Objects: Small toys, jewelry, or other items can accidentally end up in your toilet or drain.
• Tree Roots: In older homes, tree roots can infiltrate your sewer line, causing blockages that require professional removal.

These items can cause clogs in the drain pipe, leading to slow drainage or complete blockages.

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Evaluating the Clog

The Severity of the Clog

When evaluating the severity of a clog, it’s essential to consider the impact it has on your daily life. A minor clog might be a slow drain, while a severe clog can cause water to back up into your sink or shower. Understanding the severity of the clog will help you determine the best course of action to take. For example, a minor clog might be resolved with a simple DIY solution like baking soda and vinegar, while a severe clog may require the use of a drain snake or even professional plumbing assistance.

The Composition of the Clog

The composition of the clog is also crucial in determining the best solution. Is the clog caused by grease and food particles, or is it due to hair and soap scum? Knowing the composition of the clog will help you choose the most effective method to clear it. For instance, if the clog is caused by grease, pouring boiling water down the drain might be the best solution. On the other hand, if the clog is caused by hair, using a snake machine or a hair removal tool might be more effective.

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Common Areas Where Clogs Occur

Kitchen and Bathroom

Clogs can occur in any drain, but they are most common in kitchen and bathroom sinks, showers, and toilets. In the kitchen, clogs are often caused by grease, food particles, and debris from the garbage disposal. In the bathroom, clogs are often caused by hair, soap scum, and toothpaste. Understanding the common areas where clogs occur can help you take preventative measures to avoid clogs in the future. For example, using a drain strainer in your kitchen sink can catch food particles and debris before they go down the drain, while using a hair trap in your shower can catch hair before it clogs the drain.

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DIY Drain Cleaning: When Can You Fix It Yourself?

Minor clogs, such as a clogged sink drain, can often be cleared by homeowners with a few basic tools. If the problem is confined to one drain—like a kitchen sink or bathroom sink—you can try some do-it-yourself methods before calling a pro.

Tools for DIY Drain Cleaning:

• Cup Plunger: This is great for unclogging sinks and tubs.
• Bellows Plunger: Perfect for toilets, this plunger provides more force to push through toilet clogs.
• Manual Drain Snake: Also known as a plumber’s snake or drain auger, this tool helps you reach into the pipe and pull out debris. To effectively unclog a bathroom sink drain, maneuver the snake through the plumbing with careful technique and practice.

If the clog is close to the drain, a few twists of the snake might solve the problem. If the clog is deeper, though, you might need professional help. It’s important to remember that using the wrong tool or too much force can make the clog worse or damage your pipes.

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Why You Should Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaner may seem like a quick fix, but it can do more harm than good. These chemicals are harsh on your pipes and the environment. Over time, they can corrode pipes and make future clogs even worse. At Red One Plumbing, we recommend enzyme-based cleaners for regular maintenance. These cleaners use natural bacteria to eat away at clogs and help prevent buildup without damaging your plumbing.

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When to Call a Professional Plumber

If you’ve tried everything and your drain clog persists, it’s time to call in the pros. Clogs that affect multiple drains or the whole house likely indicate a bigger problem in the main sewer line. Professional plumbers, like those at Red One Plumbing, have the experience and equipment to handle even the toughest clogs.

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Professional Tools for Clearing Tough Clogs

Let’s look at the top tools and techniques we use to clear tough drain and sewer clogs.

Manual Drain Snake

A manual drain snake is a flexible, slender tool that can be inserted into the drain to break up and remove clogs. It is particularly effective for unclogging a shower drain, as it can navigate through the bends and reach the blockage. This method is often preferred over chemical drain openers to avoid potential residue and damage to the pipes.

1. Manual Drain Snake

For simple clogs near the drain, the manual sewer snake is a reliable tool. It has a corkscrew tip that catches debris and pulls it out. This method works well for clearing things like hair, soap scum, and small food particles.

2. Motorized Drain Snake

If the clog is deeper in the pipes, we use a motorized drain snake. These can reach up to 150 feet into your drain or sewer line and use more torque to break through tough clogs. This tool is great for removing tree roots, grease, and heavy blockages that a manual snake can't handle. However, we're careful to avoid damaging old or corroded pipes with this powerful tool.

3. Sewer Line Camera Inspection

When a drain snake doesn't clear the blockage, it's time to investigate further with a high-definition drain camera. This camera allows us to see inside your pipes and pinpoint exactly where the blockage is and what's causing it. Knowing the exact problem helps us choose the best tool for the job and often saves time and money.

4. Hydro-Jetting Machines

The ultimate drain-cleaning tool is the hydro-jetting machine. This uses a powerful stream of water, reaching up to 9,000 PSI, to blast away any buildup in your pipes. Hydro-jetting drain cleaning is incredibly effective at removing years of grease, food waste, soap, and other debris from your sewer line. It leaves your pipes in like-new condition, preventing future clogs and improving water flow.

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Sewer Line Clogs: Bigger Problems, Bigger Solutions

When clogs are affecting your whole house, you’re likely dealing with a sewer line blockage. These blockages can be caused by tree roots, old pipes collapsing, or decades of buildup. Our sewer line camera inspection lets us assess the problem and choose the right solution, whether that’s snaking the line, using hydro-jetting, or replacing a damaged section of pipe. Additionally, using hot water can help dissolve clogs caused by grease and food particles, ensuring thorough cleaning and prevention of future blockages.

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Preventing Future Drain Clogs

After we clear your drains, we’ll recommend some simple steps to help prevent future clogs. Here are a few tips:

• Use drain strainers to catch hair and food before they go down the drain.
• Never pour grease down the drain. Instead, collect it in a container and throw it away.
• Pour boiling water down the drain after cooking to wash away food particles and prevent clogs. Be cautious with PVC pipes to avoid damage.
• Schedule regular maintenance with an enzyme-based cleaner to break down organic material in your pipes.
• Be mindful of what goes in your garbage disposal. Avoid items like coffee grounds, eggshells, and fibrous vegetables (celery, potato peels).

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Why Choose Red One Plumbing for Drain Cleaning in Houston?

At Red One Plumbing, we understand how stressful dealing with a clogged drain can be. That’s why we offer fast, reliable, and affordable drain cleaning services throughout Houston, including maintenance to prevent clogs in your sink drain. Our experienced plumbers are equipped with the latest tools, including hydro-jetting machines and sewer line cameras, to ensure your drains are cleared properly.

We don’t just clear your clogs—we work to prevent future issues. When you choose us, you’re choosing a company that values customer satisfaction and long-term solutions.

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Call Red One Plumbing Today

Don't let a clogged drain ruin your day. Whether it's a minor clog in your kitchen sink or a major sewer line issue, Red One Plumbing has the tools and expertise to fix the problem fast.

Call us today at 832-281-4022 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed plumbers.