Drain Cleaning Indianapolis

What is Drain Cleaning?

Simply put, drain cleaning services are all about clearing out any debris or build-up that has backed up your pipes or caused your drains to slow. Our experts can remove any foreign materials from inside your kitchen or bathroom sink drain, as well as your shower or any other part of your home plumbing system. We can get your pipes working like they are as good as new, without doing any damage to your pipes or to the sewer line.

How Does Drain Cleaning Work?

There are a number of tools that our plumbers use to clear up clogged drains, including bathroom sink drains and beyond. In some instances, we may use a professional-grade drain snake, or even a rooter. Hydro jetting is used for tougher, more stubborn clogs.

The snake, also known as an auger, is a long tool that can reach down into the pipes to where the clog is located. The snake rotates, which breaks up the clog and releases stuck materials. Any remaining materials or debris can be pulled out of the drain, or safely flushed away.

For more extreme clogs, and specifically for those that are closer to the main line, Carter’s My Plumber may recommend a rooter. This powerful equipment can bust through soil, tree roots, and other strong materials that may have invaded your pipes and contributed to the clog.

Jetting Services

Our team is also pleased to also supply drain jetting services, which are especially useful for extremely difficult blockages, including grease build-up inside your pipe walls or plumbing fixtures. These blockages can be very difficult to remove, and the only way to address the problem is by hiring a skilled, experienced, and licensed plumber.

Our jetting services will help remove any unwanted debris that is difficult to remove with a standard drain cleaning machine or drain snake. We can even provide jetting services for your home downspouts!  This process removes leaves and debris for a more efficient flow from your home’s gutter system to the exterior perimeter drains.

Sewer Line Services

Our Indianapolis plumbers are trained to look for blockages in the sewer line, too. These deeper, more complex clogs can cause problems throughout your plumbing system, but we have the skill and technology to address sewer line clogs at the source. Our sewer line cleaning services are available on an emergency basis, so don’t hesitate to call us for quick and long-lasting results.

What Causes Clogged Drains?

Sooner or later, every homeowner has to deal with a clogged drain. This may be in the bathroom sink drain, in the shower, in the kitchen, or elsewhere.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to clogged drains. Some of the most common culprits include:

• Hair. Hair is a big contributor to clogged drains, as it can bind with sticky substances such as grease or soap to form really stubborn clogs.
• Soap. Most store-bought soaps are made with some kind of grease and fat, which can leave a thick residue on the inside of your pipes.
• Dirt. Any time you wash dirt off your hands, face, or clothes, that dirt tumbles down the drain, where it can become caked onto the interior of the pipes.
• Food waste. For kitchen sink or garbage disposal clogs, food waste is a very common factor.
• Mineral buildup. Mineral content from your tap water can form a build-up inside the pipes. Installing a water softener is the best way to prevent this from happening.
• Toilet paper. Using too much toilet paper can lead to a build-up in your pipes, which can eventually cause the development of a clogged drain.
• Tree roots. For the sewer or main line, tree roots can contribute to clogs, requiring the use of a rooter.

What are the Signs That You Have a Clogged Drain?

It is usually pretty easy to tell when you need drain cleaning services from a company like Carter’s My Plumber. Note that, the sooner you act on your clogged drain, the easier it is to address the problem, without risking further damage to your home plumbing system.

Some of the most common indicators of a clogged drain include:

• You hear a gurgling or bubbling sound emanating from your drain (whether it’s in use or not).
• You notice water backing up when you use other plumbing fixtures (for instance, you flush the toilet and notice water backing up into the sink).
• You smell sewage in your home.
• You notice pools of water on your lawn, suggesting a potential issue with the main line.

And of course, the most notable sign of all is simply that you have drains that work extremely slowly.

What About DIY Drain Cleaning?

For very simple or minor clogs, you may be able to address the issue on your own, without needing to enlist a licensed plumber. However, it is crucial that you use methods that are safe and that will not compromise the integrity of your pipes or of your home plumbing system.

Some tips and warnings to keep in mind:

• Avoid pouring any store-bought drain cleaning chemicals down into your pipes. These chemicals can be effective but they are also extremely abrasive, which means they can actually degrade your pipes and cause more serious issues.
• Hot water can sometimes be useful for unclogging drains, especially clogged toilets. Vinegar and baking soda can also be used, especially for kitchen or bathroom sinks.
• You can also try using a plunger or a store-bought snake, but only if you feel comfortable using them.

If these remedies prove ineffective, or if you are not comfortable trying them on your own, that’s when you know it’s time to enlist professional drain cleaning services.