Drain Cleaning and Hydro Jetting in Lakewood
One slow sink is a fixture problem. Several drains backing up together is a main-line problem, and that's where drain cleaning becomes part of the response.
When a clog is more than a clog
A single sink that drains slowly is usually a local blockage. When multiple fixtures slow down together, gurgle, or a basement floor drain starts to hold water, the blockage is probably in the main line that carries everything out to the street.
Clearing it stops the immediate problem. It doesn't tell you why it formed, which is what a camera inspection is for.
Signs of a main-line clog
- Several fixtures draining slowly at once
- A toilet that bubbles when a washer or tub drains
- Water at a floor drain
- Repeated backups in the same spot
- Gurgling from drains far from where water is running
Cabling and hydro jetting
Cabling
A rotating cable breaks through a blockage and clears a path. It's effective for many clogs and soft roots, and it's a common first step.
Hydro jetting
High-pressure water scours the inside of the pipe, removing grease, scale and debris and cutting through roots. It cleans more of the pipe wall than cabling does, which matters for grease-heavy lines.
Common causes
- Tree roots that find joints and grow inside the pipe
- Grease that cools and hardens in the line
- Wipes and paper products, including ones marketed as flushable
- Damaged pipe with offsets or cracks that catch debris
- Low spots (bellies) where solids settle
When cleaning isn't enough
If the pipe is cracked, offset or collapsed, cleaning is temporary, because the defect keeps catching waste. A camera can tell you. And if the cause is the public sewer being overloaded during heavy rain, clearing your line won't stop it. The causes guide explains how to tell the difference, and sewer line repair covers what to do about a damaged lateral.
After a backup
Cleanup and drain cleaning are separate jobs. If wastewater reached your floors, see basement cleanup or toilet overflow cleanup for that side of it.
Homes and businesses
Restaurants and food service face grease-related blockages regularly. Scheduled cleaning helps there more than emergency calls do. See commercial sewage cleanup for what businesses should know.
What to expect
A visit usually starts with finding where the line can be reached, typically a cleanout in the basement or yard. The blockage is located and cleared, and the line is checked afterward to confirm water moves freely. If something in the line looks wrong, the honest next step is an inspection rather than repeating the same clearing every few months.
Any water that came up before the visit is a separate matter, since clearing the line doesn't clean the floor.
Prevention
- Keep wipes out of toilets, even ones labeled flushable.
- Keep grease and cooking oil out of drains; let it cool and throw it away.
- Have roots dealt with before they cause a backup, not after.
- Don't ignore slow drains that come back after clearing.
Common questions
Does drain cleaning damage pipes?
Done properly it shouldn't, and a camera can check the pipe's condition first. Older or damaged lines are the cases to be careful with.
How do I know if it's my line or the city's?
A blockage in your own line usually affects only your building. If neighbors are affected or it happens in heavy rain, the public system may be involved. See the responsibility guide.
How often should a line be cleaned?
There's no single schedule. A line with a history of roots or grease benefits from regular attention, while one that has never had trouble may not need it.
Will it stop the smell?
If the smell comes from a partial blockage or trapped debris, yes. If it comes from contaminated materials or a dry trap, no. See sewage odor removal.
Call about a clog
Tell us which fixtures are affected, how long it has been going on and whether it's happened before.