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- By James Wisler
- Residential Plumbing
- [otfliker]
Homeowners might already have an idea in their minds about what we’ll do to clear someone’s drain. All that happens is a cable goes down through the drain, it clears whatever was in there, and the problem is solved, right? No, that’s just simply not the case.
The stoppage that causes water to back up in your sink, tub, or floor is just a symptom of the real problem. Clearing a drain is really just alleviating the stoppage. However, something has caused that stoppage. Unless we get to the actual cause, the problem hasn’t been solved.
The Right Location
First of all, we need to put a cable in the line from the right location. If you have a sewer line that’s 100 feet long and we’re going from an upstairs toilet, we probably won’t be able to reach the blockage. In addition, the further away the blockage is, the less power/torque the cable has for clearing the line.
The Right Equipment
It’s very important that the person doing this task has enough expertise. We want to make sure that we use the right tips on the end of our cables. The tips should be best suited to what we’re trying to do. We also want to make sure that we’re using the correct cable size/length.
If the right equipment isn’t used, you’ll end up with a cable that gets stuck or even breaks off inside the drain. Otherwise, the problem simply won’t be resolved.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
It’s important that homeowners understand that the underlying cause could have been going on for years in advance. Sometimes it could be tree roots that have been growing for a long time.
After the line has been cleared using the proper equipment and the water has exited, I always recommend using a camera to see exactly what’s been going on in there. In 95% of the cases, getting the water to move doesn’t mean that the problem has been resolved. The camera will uncover the root of the problem.
Take Action
If a drain backs up and puts sewage into your home, it’s going to introduce you to a very unhealthy situation. Sewage can cause mold and bacteria growth, which is very harmful to your home and your family. It’s definitely something that needs to be taken care of correctly and with the right expertise.
18If you have a backed up drain, contact us online or give us a call at (540) 483-9382.
