Clogged Drain Calgary

Homeowners dealing with a standard, run-of-the-mill soft blockage clog can likely handle it on their own with a plunger and some elbow grease. The first thing you need to do is ensure you have the correct type of plunger on hand. If you're plunging a flat drain like in a shower, bathtub or sink, you need a cup-shaped plunger. If the fixture is a toilet, you need a bell or ball-shaped plunger with a tapered bottom to seal a toilet drain. Once you've got the appropriate plunger, here are the steps to follow:

1. It's a good idea to put some old newspaper or rags around the fixture and change into clothing that you don't mind getting dirty—the truth is, there could be some splashing during the process.
2. If plunging one side of a double sink, plug up the other drain hole with a rag. If it's a sink or bathtub with an overflow, plug up the overflow hole.
3. Add enough to cover the drain if standing water still needs to be added to the fixture.
4. Place the plunger over the hole and slowly push down slowly to form a seal with the suction.
5. Start plunging by pushing down and then pulling up sharply. Don't give up if it doesn't work immediately—sometimes, it can take quite a bit of plunging to work a soft blockage loose. Rinse with hot tap water in between each attempt.
6. Congratulations if the clog comes out and the water starts moving out of the fixture. That was easy. But if you plunge and plunge and nothing happens, you should consider getting professional assistance for your clogged drain. Calgary plumbing experts are standing by!

There are two categories of clogs: those caused by hard blockage and those caused by soft blockage. Hard blockage refers to larger debris entering systems and getting stuck inside, like sanitary products, large rocks, a child's toy, or even a cell phone. Soft blockage refers to those materials that build blockage over time. Examples include soap scum, minerals in Calgary's hard water, and other small debris like dirt and food scraps.

It might be surprising to discover that clogged fixtures are inevitable in Calgary—unless you take advantage of annual preventative maintenance services from a local plumbing company. Everything you flush into your system builds up over time. The list of things that cause clogs is long, but there's a wide range of additional materials and foreign objects that frequently create sink blockage and other drainage issues in Calgary, such as:

• Fats, oils, grease
• Hair
• Paper towels, tissues, excessive amounts of toilet paper and wet wipes—even "flushable" wipes
• Coffee grounds, egg shells and other food debris
• Dental floss
• Personal hygiene products
• Cat litter
• Tree roots
• Dirt, gravel and other outdoor debris
• Shifting earth underneath pipes
• Sewer backups
• Dish soap scum
• Other unaddressed plumbing issues

Figuring out what caused your problem can be challenging. Even if you manage to clear a clogged toilet paper jam or deal with other backups, that doesn't mean they won't come back. Clogs are often a sign of something else. Fixing the underlying issue is just as important as fixing the present problem if you want to avoid plumbing worries in the future.

There are two categories of clogs: those caused by hard blockage and those caused by soft blockage. Hard blockage refers to larger debris entering systems and getting stuck inside, like sanitary products, large rocks, a child's toy, or even a cell phone. Soft blockage refers to those materials that build blockage over time. Examples include soap scum, minerals in Calgary's hard water, and other small debris like dirt and food scraps.

Some signs of a bad drain blockage indicate serious sewer problems rather than just a clogged drain, Calgary. Clogged toilets are just a messy, annoying part of life when they happen now and then, but if you're dealing with clogs every other day, that's a bad sign. Standing water in your tub or shower might be caused by a clump of hair, but it might also be a sign that you need a sewer line cleaning service. A professional inspection will eliminate any doubt.

Unaddressed sewer issues can result in catastrophic failure, severe water damage, and even personal injury from sewage backups and flooding. If your main drain is damaged or obstructed, several additional signs might appear alongside the common warning signs. Here are some indications that a serious problem is coming down the pipe:

• Raw sewage backups
• Multiple issues occurring across different rooms at the same time
• Frequent, reoccurring clogs
• Foul smells—worse than any other bad odours
• Bright-green patches of grass
• Isolated flooding and sinkholes in lawns
• Cracks in your foundation

In the event of a sewer backup where the underground pipe walls are in decent condition, a simple sewer drain cleaning service will solve the problem. We'll map out a trenchless repair method if we discover any pipe damage.

Our biggest recommendation is to schedule regular drain cleaning services to prevent build-up. Always avoid flushing fats, oils, and grease in your kitchen sink, as they're particularly problematic materials. You can also brush your hair before showering to prevent any issues from hair clumps. Installing strainers, drain screens, and drain stoppers will also help keep troublesome debris outside of pipes.

As an extra step, you can regularly flush out your waste lines with boiling water, a cup of baking soda, and white vinegar. Be careful using hot water with ceramic fixtures, though — the sudden temperature change might cause cracks.

Homeowners may find it's the easiest way, but many store-bought chemical cleaners can cause severe damage to your drain line or fixtures like corrosion. Liquid drain cleaners can also cause illness or injury if they're misused. For those reasons, most professional plumbers suggest avoiding harsh chemical solutions.

It certainly can be. You need full access to all your plumbing fixtures, from sinks and showers to toilets and even a floor drain. If one of them—or worse, multiple fixtures—is out of commission, it can make your life very inconvenient and possibly even make your home unsafe or unsanitary. If you can avoid using the affected fixture, it may not seem like an outright emergency—but it's still irritating and needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later before the damage spreads.

On the bright side, you don't have to cope alone with drain emergencies such as a nasty clogged drain. Calgary residents and business owners can count on the plumbing and drain cleaning professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing for reliable plumbing services, such as emergency repair, around the clock. We have significant experience clearing blocked drains and can resolve your problem efficiently.

The commercial and residential drain cleaning specialists at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary can help. Our quality plumbing services will leave you satisfied and restore your peace of mind. We serve people in Glamorgan, Haysboro, Acadia, and throughout Calgary and take pride in delivering the highest standards of quality workmanship and exceptional customer service. We always go the extra mile to ensure your safety and satisfaction.

For immediate assistance or a convenient appointment, call today to speak with our knowledgeable customer service staff about how we can help to improve your plumbing quality.