It’s your worst nightmare. You make a quick stop in the bathroom before leaving for work, and you hear a familiar, terrifying sound.
Once again, your toilet is choking and starting to slowly back up. You wait with bated breath, hoping the water will go back down, but you’re kicking yourself for not calling a plumber sooner. Before you know it, you’re standing in sewage.
Not an ideal way to start your day.
Do You Know Where To Find An Emergency Plumber In Buffalo, NY?
When disaster strikes, you don’t have time to call your usual plumber who might respond within 48 hours. You need help ASAP.
Cellino’s emergency, same-day plumbing appointments are here to save your day! Clogged drains are no match for our expert technicians. And we’re here to share some of their insights about pesky drain clogs.
What’s a Clogged Drain?
A clogged drain develops when there’s a blockage in the pipe, preventing the flow of water or debris from being flushed away. Clogged drains can happen in your kitchen sinks, toilets, shower drains, and even main drains.
Here are a few warning signs to watch out for:
- Slow draining of water
- Gurgling sounds
- Standing water
- Smelling unpleasant or vile odors
Why is My Drain Clogged?
There are plenty of reasons why a drain can become clogged. Here are some of the most common culprits:
- Your drain is clogged with hair and fur. Whether you or Fido are to blame, hair (or fur) will inevitably end up going down your drain. Once you add soap to the mix, you get a dense, sticky mixture that’s perfect for plugging a drain.
- Your drain is clogged with food scraps and debris. Whether you have garbage disposal or not, food scraps and debris can deal some damage to your pipes. You may notice slow draining, overflows, or a bad smell.
- Your drain is clogged with fat, oil, grease, and mineral buildup. These are the most common culprits, especially in freezing temperatures. Grease may go down the drain in liquid form, but cold pipes will quickly turn that fat back into a solid mass that blocks your drain. And for homes with hard water, mineral buildup can cause a similar blockage.
What to do when you can’t get a drain unclogged
If the clog has been causing persistent problems, it may be too difficult to clear properly on your own. In this case, you should call a professional (bonus points for pros with emergency appointments!) But there are also some DIY methods that may be worth a try:
- The standard plunger: You can never go wrong with a trusty plunger. They’re simple to use even if you aren’t handy, and they can even be used on sink drains. However, in some cases, it won’t be enough to remove the clogged debris.
- Drain cleaners: The internet is filled with tutorials on how to clear your drains using common household products like baking soda and vinegar. You may even have commercial drain cleaning products stored under your sink. But if you have severe drain blockages, these solutions might not be strong enough.
- Drain snakes: For minor clogs, you can use a drain snake (check your local hardware store) to clear the blockage. However, there can be a learning curve to using these. If you aren’t confident in what you’re doing, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
If your DIY efforts aren’t enough, it’s best to get professional help with your clogged drain to avoid making the problem worse. Here are some of the methods professionals may propose to take care of your clogged drain.
- Hydrojetting: This method is not recommended for non-professionals. You need the skill and know-how to handle high-pressure water to clear the blockages without damaging your pipes or harming yourself.
- Drain Cleaning: This is the usual drain cleaning process using plungers and drain cleaning solutions — but handled by a trained pro who has a few more tricks up his sleeve. You might be shocked how fast a professional can clear a drain with the same methods you tried yourself.
Call Cellino Plumbing, Heating & Cooling For Clogged Drain Cleaning In Buffalo, NY
Clogged drains are an inevitable occurrence for most homeowners. If you can’t unclog your drain yourself, don’t panic! If you’re in Buffalo or anywhere in Western New York, Cellino Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has your back. Let us help you deal with your clogged drain problems once and for all. Call us to schedule an appointment!
Better yet? Get a yearly plumbing inspection as part of the Cellino Maintenance Plan! At only $11 per month, you can’t beat the price for the peace of mind you get. Check our website for more details!
