Calgary: Unclog Drain Guide

Do you need to unclog drains? Calgary AB residents with backed-up pipes are not only stressed but they are also repulsed by bad smells that are making competing daily tasks like washing dishes or brushing your teeth difficult and can be very hard to clean. Not to mention, slow-moving water in your tub or shower can leave unpleasant stains along the basin's edges.

Although dealing with a clogged drain is a natural part of being a homeowner, when it's a regular occurrence that's a sign you need to invest in professional drain cleaning services, such as our exclusive HydroScrub® Jetting technology—which is designed to blast away even the most stubborn of clogs, making it the best method for unclogging drains. Calgary AB homeowners who are unaware of this technology, keep reading to learn more!

While your average clog is caused by too much food debris, hair, and soap scum build-up, or even toilet paper, it's helpful to know how to get rid of it, so you're not always reaching for your nearby plumber or snake. However, your local Calgary plumber at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary is always more than happy to help you clear a congested pipe and bring you long-term results! Let’s discover the main signs of a clog and how to get rid of them once and for all.

4 Signs You Need Calgary Unclog Drain Services

When it comes to unclogging drains, in Calgary AB homeowners rely on their good old household tools like plungers and augers. The reality is that almost anything you put down your drains can cause a clog over time. Yes, even water! Calgary's water is full of minerals that get deposited on your pipes. As time goes by, these mineral deposits can cause a clog by settling on your pipe walls. Most often, blockages take a long time to develop—and the warning signs can be easy to miss. With that in mind, keep an eye out for these red flags:

1. Puddles

If you see puddles around any plumbing fixtures, you definitely have a problem and most likely, it's a clog. When debris becomes too built up, it inhibits your water's ability to flow properly. This increases pressure inside the pipe, which can result in leaks and even bursts. In the early stages of that problem, leaking water will form a puddle near the affected pipe or drain line.

2. Slow Moving Water

Your sinks and showers should not back up with water while the tap is running. If it takes forever for your sink or tub basin to empty, that’s a sign it's blocked with some kind of debris. Calling for Calgary unclog drain service is the fastest way to get a proper diagnosis and safely clear your pipes.

3. Bad Odours

If you smell rotting food—or worse, sewage—coming out of your kitchen sink drain, then you have a clog of some kind. Most likely, hair or food scraps have gotten stuck in the pipe and have started to decompose. However, if you smell sulphuric gas or sewage in your shower drain, it could indicate something far more serious, like a backed-up sewer line.

4. Blocked Appliances

Kitchen appliances are connected to your drain lines, such as your dishwasher, washing machine and garburator. If they’re all located in the kitchen area, your kitchen drains will have to work hard in disposing of all that wastewater effectively. We often get Calgary unclog drain services that involve clearing dishwasher filters or maintaining garburators by cleaning food particles from the unit. It’s important to occasionally check your appliances’ drain hoses and look under the sink for leaks. P-traps and sink flanges are the things to check before determining any worst-case scenarios. If one appliance is stuck, it could affect the drain line and put your daily kitchen routine to a halt. Keeping up with regular maintenance cleaning will help keep your kitchen’s plumbing system in good condition.

5. Floor Drain Backup

This may be the most ominous sign as it refers to a potential sewer backup. However, it’s not always the case and you can try some household remedies first before determining the root issue. That said, your basement floor drain is probably the most essential drain throughout your home. Any excess water from heavy rains or leaking pipes will go by the law of gravity and flow towards the lowest point of your home. Standing water could be the result of soil saturation, which can cause moisture damage in your basement. Your safest bet is to get Calgary to unclog drain services because we will execute our professional plumbing diagnosis and inspection to learn about the underlying issues of this backup. By calling us, you will reduce your risks of basement flooding and other costly damages that could occur.

How to Unclog Drains: 6 Ways

Now that you're familiar with some key signs of a clogged drain, it's important you learn what to do about it. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary, we do not prescribe the use of harsh chemical drain cleaners to unclog drains. Calgary AB plumbers use safe methods that are safe, non-toxic, and healthy for you and your pipes.

1. Use Your Hands

Sometimes you can remove clog-causing debris with your hands. First, put on gloves. Then, let the water empty out as much as possible and remove any excess. Finally, unscrew your drain and reach in. Pull out any gunk and dispose of it in a garbage bag.

2. Hot Water

Pouring hot water down the drain is one of the easiest ways to get rid of small blockages. The hot water heats up residue that's solidified in your pipes and flushes it away. This Calgary unclog-drain method can also be used in combination with other drain-clearing techniques.

Pro Tip:

Before you pour boiling water down your sink or tub drain, confirm whether the waste already present is either slow-moving or standing. If it's the latter, it's likely a large blockage too big to be removed with hot water alone.

*Only use this method if your pipes are not made out of PVC or other plastic materials like ABS, as these are a type of plastic that can melt when exposed to heat. On the other hand, metallic waste lines are heat resistant (however, metal-based waste lines are rarely used in modern days).

3. Baking Soda And White Vinegar

When vinegar and baking soda mix, the resulting reaction can sometimes be enough to clear drains that are blocked up with debris. Keep in mind that this solution can be messy, and it might not be as effective as more tried and true methods like using a plunger or calling a plumber.

• Pour equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar into your drain
• Wait for the reaction to finish (this can take up to one hour in some cases).
• Pour warm water down the drain to clear any remaining debris

4. A Plunger

There are different kinds of plungers—for instance, a toilet plunger is different from a sink plunger. It’s important to use the right type for the location of your blockage. Once you have the right model, your Calgary unclog drain project may begin.

• Wear eye protection and rubber gloves
• Empty as much standing water as possible, leaving a small amount to cover the plunger
• Unscrew your drain; If you're plunging in a tub or shower, it can help to block the overflow opening with a damp cloth
• If there isn’t any water already, fill the basin with a little bit of water, just enough to cover the base of your plunger (this increases its suction)
• Push in and out on the plunger while keeping it tight against the drain opening
• Continue plunging until the blockage is cleared and the water level starts to lower.

5. Using A Wire Hanger

Aside from calling a professional, the wire hanger method is the final DIY way to get rid of tough clogs. This technique can help you reach a difficult clog and break apart the debris. To properly use this method, pay attention to the following:

• Straighten a metal clothes hanger, leaving the hook at the top
• Stick the hook-side down your drain and try to catch the clog
• Once you feel it hook, pull the hanger up and dispose of any debris it brings up
• Flush hot water down the drain to remove any remaining debris

6. A Professional Plumber from Mr. Rooter Plumbing

If you’ve tried the above techniques, or you would prefer a professional to handle the clog from the offset, it's time to call the plumbing experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Each of our technicians has years of industry experience, is equipped with the proper tools, and will take care not to make a mess of your home. When you want a professional clean, hire the best for Calgary unclog drain services by calling Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary.

What To Expect from Calgary Unclog Drain Services

Homeowners want fast results. To make that happen, you require trained professionals who can provide you with fast results and repair methods to restore your plumbing system. When you need someone to unclog drains, Calgary AB plumbers bring advanced plumbing tools to get the job done. Some of those technical tools include:

• Video Camera Inspection: We use our plumbing video camera to examine your pipe’s material and health from the inside. The visuals will locate the blockage and tell us the severity of it. We may also use additional equipment to pinpoint the damage and leaks to complete that inspection service. If your pipe appears to be in overall good health but is filled with debris that you were unable to clear, we will use our hydro jetting device.
• HydroScrub® Jetting: This plumbing tool is designed to effectively unclog drains, from stubborn deposits to blockages. The highly pressurized jets of water can blast away any debris with an average psi of 1500. This type of pressure is not suitable for every sewer or drain line, which is why it’s crucial that a plumbing professional inspects your pipes first. Besides that, hydro jetting is an excellent maintenance solution that promotes your system’s health and helps minimize the need for future repairs.

FAQ – Calgary Unclog Drain Service

What Chemicals Do Plumbers Use to Clear Drains?

It may be the easiest way for homeowners to unclog drains, Calgary AB plumbers, however, do not recommend any type of harsh chemical cleaners because they are corrosive and could lead to costly pipe repairs down the line. For this reason, we did not add this as a recommendation in our methods above. If your usual household remedy does not solve your problem, our technicians using hydro jetting typically combine the device with enzymatic drain cleaners. This is a non-toxic cleaning solution that contains friendly bacteria cultures and concentrated enzymes that eat away organic substances that are stuck on your pipe walls.

Is It Bad To Pour Vinegar Down The Drain?

Not at all, combining it with baking soda, creates carbon dioxide gas—a synergy designed to effectively lift dirt from surfaces. While not always strong enough to unclog drains, it’s a useful household method for cleaning purposes.

Can Smelling Stagnant Water Make You Sick?

It certainly can. Legionella is a bacteria that dwells in stagnant water and could lead to lung infections. If you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, remove it right away.

How Much Does Calgary Unclog Drain Services Cost?

It’s not easy for us to name a price without knowing more details about your plumbing system and the exact cause of your problem. When we unclog drains, it can be a simple fix or there are underlying issues that we need to address. An issue can be small or big, occurring in an isolated area or affecting your entire system. Once we see the bigger picture, we’ll be able to give you upfront pricing. Feel free to contact your local Calgary plumber for more information.

Hire the Pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary Today!

Sick of smelling rotting food in your clogged kitchen sink? Noticed a puddle on the ground that shouldn't be there? Clogs are a nuisance and can be frustrating to deal with in your Calgary home when you’re unfamiliar with unclogging drains efficiently.

That's why your local pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary are the team to call whether you need Calgary unclog drain services or want someone to use the HydroScrub® Jetting to reset your pipes system. We will resolve any plumbing problems that you may have. We've helped countless homeowners throughout the Calgary area, including in Altadore, Glamorgan, and Forest Lawn—to name a few. To hire our plumbing experts, give our friendly customer service reps a call today at.