Drain Cleaning

Most common reasons for clogged drain lines.

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Sewer lines. 

Clogs can be caused by old, corroded, cracked, broken, misaligned, or improperly sloped pipes. Concrete and cast iron pipes (especially) are more prone to clogging. Additionally, growing roots (through broken joints) can cause blockages. The solution typically involves using a heavy drain auger and root cutters. Knowing the age of the house is important for estimating the repair scope.

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Toilets.

Fixture clogs can result from objects such as plastic, diapers, excessive amounts of thick toilet paper, and wipes. Most of these clogs can be resolved using a 6-foot hand auger. Toilet drain line clogs can be caused by wipes, diapers, paper towels, heavy objects, and even so-called "flushable" materials. Old, corroded cast iron and concrete pipes are especially prone to clogging. Clogs can also occur due to broken, cracked, misaligned, or improperly sloped pipes, disrupting normal water flow. These clogs are typically resolved by removing the toilet and using a heavy drain auger to clear the line.

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Kitchen sinks. 

Clogs in drain lines can be caused by old, rusty cast iron pipes, broken or collapsed pipes, and grease or food buildup (especially if the pipe is not properly sloped). PVC pipes generally only clog if they have a backfall. In new houses with PVC pipes, the issue can usually be resolved using a 25-foot drain auger, while older houses may require a heavy-duty auger.

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Bathroom sinks.

The most common cause of clogged bathroom sink drains is algae growth in the drain, often connected to the primary AC drain line. This is most common during the hot season. The solution is to use a 25-foot drain auger. A second common cause is hair blockages in the drain stopper assembly. The solution is to disassemble and clean the drain stopper assembly.

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Bathtubs and showers. 

The main cause of clogs is hair. In older houses, the presence of an old drum trap is a common issue. Very rarely, a broken line may be the cause. The solution is to use a 25-foot drain auger. Old drum traps should be removed and replaced with P-traps.

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Washing machine.

In many cases, washing machine drains can become clogged due to old or broken/collapsed cast iron pipes. In older houses, the washing machine drain line is often connected to the kitchen drains, which can cause water to back up into the kitchen sink. Running a heavy drain auger through the kitchen clean-out usually resolves the problem.