What to Expect During a Drain Cleaning Service

When it comes to issues in the home, there’s nothing more annoying or disruptive than a clogged drain. While drain cleaning might seem cumbersome, it is necessary to upkeep your home’s plumbing – and to avoid these common annoyances due to not doing so regularly.  

Of course, if you’ve finally given in and made an appointment for drain cleaning Detroit homeowners, you might be wondering what exactly happens. Luckily, you’re in the right place. 

In this guide, we’ll explain what to expect when the professionals arrive, helping you understand their methods, the timeline involved, and how to prepare your home for this essential service. So keep reading to prepare, and learn who to call to schedule your own. 

Drain Cleaning Detroit: Signs You Need to Schedule Yours  

Don’t wait until you’re dealing with a complete blockage to schedule a drain cleaning service. Several warning signs can alert you to developing drain issues before they become emergencies. Here are the most common: 

1. Slow-draining sinks: Watch out for slow-draining sinks or tubs that take forever to empty – this is often the first red flag of a building clog. 
2. Stinky drains: Unpleasant odors wafting from your drains typically indicate trapped debris and bacteria growth that needs attention. 
3. Noisy pipes: Gurgling sounds when water goes down are your pipes’ way of crying for help, as they suggest air pockets in the drainage system. 
4. Multiple drains affected: More than one clogged drain throughout your home often points to a more serious blockage in your main sewer line. 
5. Water backing up: Pay attention to water backing up into other fixtures when you use them – for example if your toilet bubbles when you run the sink or water appears in your shower when you run the washing machine. 

Finally, if you notice recurring clogs that seem to return no matter how many times you use store-bought drain cleaners, it’s definitely time to call in the professionals. If it’s your first time, you’re probably wondering what to expect. We’ll cover that more in-depth, next. 

What to Expect During a Drain Cleaning Service 

If you’ve never had a professional draining cleaning service performed, have no worries. It’s a simple appointment that’s highly effective at improving the inner-workings of your home. To get you feeling more comfortable before the appointment, here’s a step-by-step rundown of what to expect. 

Consultation 

A professional drain cleaning service follows a systematic approach to ensure your plumbing system is thoroughly cleaned and functioning properly. The process begins with an initial consultation, where your plumber discusses your specific concerns and the history of your drain issues. During this critical first step, they’ll ask about recurring problems, recent changes in drainage patterns, and any DIY solutions you’ve attempted.

Inspection

 Next, the technician conducts a comprehensive inspection, often using specialized cameras to peer deep into your pipes, identifying the exact location and nature of blockages. This visual inspection helps determine the most effective cleaning method for your situation. Before any work begins, the technician carefully prepares the area by laying down protective coverings to shield your floors and surfaces from potential water damage or debris.

Drain Cleaning 

The actual cleaning process then commences, utilizing various professional techniques depending on the diagnosis (we’ll cover that next!) . Your plumber might employ a mechanical snake or auger to break up and remove stubborn clogs, use hydro-jetting technology that forces high-pressure water through the pipes to scour away years of buildup, or apply professional-grade enzymatic cleaners to dissolve organic matter safely. Throughout this phase, which typically takes 1-2 hours, the technician monitors the process carefully to ensure no damage occurs to your pipes.

Testing 

Following the cleaning, the technician performs thorough testing to verify the effectiveness of the service. This includes running water through all affected fixtures, checking drainage speeds, and possibly conducting a second camera inspection to confirm the pipes are completely clear. 

Conclusion and clean-up

The final step involves a detailed walkthrough with you, during which the plumber explains what was done, shows before-and-after results if camera inspection was used, and provides valuable maintenance tips to help prevent future clogs. They’ll also clean up the work area, leaving your space as neat as they found it, and provide documentation of the service performed, including any warranty information and recommendations for future maintenance.

Types of Drain Cleaning Techniques 

To be the most informed homeowner, here are the tools and techniques that might be used during your drain cleaning Detroit appointment. 

• Drain snake: This motorized tool is like a sophisticated corkscrew that works its way through your pipes, grabbing and breaking up whatever’s causing the blockage. It’s usually the go-to solution for those everyday clogs that have you pulling your hair out (sometimes literally, since hair is often the culprit!).
• Video inspection: Before diving into any serious cleaning, modern plumbers often play detective using state-of-the-art camera technology. Picture a tiny submarine with a camera exploring the depths of your plumbing system. This smart little device gives your plumber a real-time video tour of your pipes’ interior. This helps determine where the trouble spots are, and let the plumbers target them effectively and efficiently. 
• Hydrojetting: Hydrojetting is a highly powerful, power-washing-type tool that blasts water through your pipes at an impressive 7,000+ PSI. To put that in perspective, that’s about 233 times stronger than your garden hose. This high-pressure hero doesn’t just break up clogs; it literally scours your pipes clean, leaving them so spotless that gunk and grime have a hard time finding anything to cling to. The best part? This deep clean can keep your drains flowing freely for months or even years.

The Final Word: Drain Cleaning Detroit 

Now that you know when you’ll need one and what will happen during one, it’s time to schedule a Drain Cleaning Detroit appointment. Look no further than Metro Detroit’s leading plumbing service, WaterWork Plumbing. 

For nearly 20 years, WaterWork has been serving the area with emergency plumbing services, regular maintenance, and preventative work to protect your investment. Residentially or commercially, we’ve got your backs! 

Make WaterWork your go-to plumber for all things plumbing. Schedule an appointment online now, or get in touch to learn more.