Drain Repair Scarborough

You poured fat, oil, or grease down your drain. Next question!

We're kidding, of course. However, it is true that the improper disposal of fat, oil, and grease in your plumbing system is a major cause of Scarborough drain repair issues. In fact, it is such a notorious problem that it has its own acronym: FOG.

While FOG may be liquid when you pour it away, it coats the inside walls of your pipes and solidifies, creating a gross, sticky mess that grabs on to hair, food scraps, and anything else that follows it down the line, partially or completely blocking the flow of water.

The only things that should be going through your sewer lines are wastewater, human waste, and toilet paper. You can't avoid stuff like soap scum, and you can get away with a few food scraps if you have an in-sink garbage disposal, but everything else can and should be avoided.

You can try, but it won't work very well. You have probably seen some drain repair home remedies online that advocate using common substances that you probably already have in your kitchen to unclog pipes, such as baking soda and vinegar or cola. We have all seen what happens when baking soda and vinegar are combined in a closed environment, but the problem is that your pipe is not a closed environment. The mixture will just fizzle harmlessly for a few moments while the gas escapes, and you will have even more material added to your clog. Cola is even less effective, and all that sticky sugar is not a good thing for your sewer lines.

You've probably also seen a lot of recommendations for harsh chemical drain cleaners. We don't recommend them for two main reasons: first, if you overuse them, they can actually damage your pipes by eating away at them from the inside, and you'll need to have the lines replaced. Second, those chemical cleaners can make their way into groundwater, rivers, and lakes, where they cause environmental harm to our local flora and fauna in Scarborough.

Quite often, a clog is just a basic Scarborough drain repair issue that can be resolved with a plunger and some elbow grease — but you must plunge the right way. This is something that pretty much everyone must do at some point in their lives, but a surprising number of people don't really know the correct way to go about it.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Make sure you have the right kind of plunger. If you're plunging a flat drain like the ones in a sink, shower, or bathtub, you need a cup-shaped plunger. If you're plunging a toilet, you need a plunger with a bell or ball-shaped end that can form a tight seal in the toilet bowl.
2. If there isn't any water in the fixture, pour a couple of inches of water in. When plunging a fixture with an overflow, or one side of a double sink, use an old rag to plug up the overflow or the side of the sink you aren't plunging.
3. Place the plunger over the drain and push down slowly the first few times to avoid splashing, then start pushing down and pulling up sharply. It may take some time, so don't get discouraged.
4. If you hear a sucking or squelching noise, pull the plunger up — if the water starts to move down the pipe, congratulations! You nailed it!
5. Run some hot water in the fixture to make sure everything is clear.

Have you tried the above steps, and plunged... and plunged... and plunged some more, with no luck? Or maybe the drain seemed like it was unblocked, but it clogged right up again the next time you used the fixture. Those are both situations that indicate something more serious than a run-of-the-mill clog. That means it is time to call in the Scarborough drain repair professionals. Your plumber will be able to figure out what is happening and get it resolved.

Whether you've already dealt with the nightmare of discovering that your basement has flooded, or you just want to make sure it never happens, there are a few preventative steps your plumber can help you with to avoid this disaster in the future. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help to prevent a burst pipe by clearing out obstructions and giving your plumber a chance to spot major problems before they occur.

If your basement has flooded in the past, installing a sump pump or a backwater valve may be exactly what you need to avoid another nasty, expensive, wet basement situation. And, while your water heater is unlikely to cause a full-on flood, it can't hurt to have your plumber check it out and make sure it is in good operating condition to avoid any issues.

There is sometimes a situation in which we will need to open up your wall or ceiling or dig a trench for diagnostic purposes, but most of the time we can figure out what the problem is with non-invasive technology such as video inspection. That involves maneuvering a camera on a flexible cable through your pipes and then reviewing and interpreting the video footage to pinpoint the problem.

Sometimes, blocked drain pipes are more than the average homeowner can handle. They require a thorough drain inspection and the knowledge of drain experts in Scarborough to find the right solutions for your plumbing system. Whether you end up needing drain cleaning in Scarborough or a professional drain repair, Scarborough plumbers from Mr. Rooter Plumbing are there for all your drain repair needs.

Whether you're located in Scarborough or Agincourt, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is your first call for residential plumbing solutions throughout the Scarborough area. When you need effective drain repair from a team of drain specialists, you know to turn to the plumbing services in Scarborough from Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

If you're tired of dealing with constant drain clogs and you're looking for a powerful drain repair or replacement solution, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has you covered. We're your first call for a professional drain repair. Scarborough homeowners can get in contact with us today to schedule a service appointment!