Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning
The short answer
The main signs a drain needs professional cleaning are water that drains slowly, gurgling sounds, bad odors, clogs that keep coming back, and several drains slowing down at the same time. One slow drain is usually a local clog. Several at once often means the main line needs attention.
Clogged drains are more than an inconvenience. Left alone, a slow drain can turn into a backup, a leak or damage to the pipe itself. Here are the warning signs we tell homeowners in Sherburne, Hamilton and Earlville to watch for.
In this article
Five Warning Signs
- Slow draining water. If a sink, shower or tub takes longer than usual to empty, buildup is narrowing the pipe.
- Gurgling sounds. Air trapped by a partial blockage bubbles up through the drain or a nearby toilet.
- Foul odors. Food, grease and hair decomposing in the pipe produce a sour or sewer smell.
- Clogs that keep coming back. If you are plunging the same drain every few weeks, the real blockage is further down the line.
- Several slow drains at once. This points to a main line problem rather than a single fixture.
That last sign deserves special attention. Our article on main sewer line clogs versus simple drain clogs explains how to tell the difference and what to do if water backs up into the basement.
What Causes Drain Clogs
- Hair and soap scum in bathroom drains.
- Grease, coffee grounds and food scraps in kitchen drains.
- Wipes and paper products in toilets.
- Scale and iron deposits in homes on hard well water.
- Tree roots in older sewer lines.
Why We Recommend Skipping Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain openers can burn through a small clog, but they often leave most of the buildup behind, they can damage older pipes, and they make the job dangerous for whoever has to open the drain afterwards. A drain cable or hydro jetting removes the blockage and cleans the pipe walls instead.
Keeping Drains Clear
- Use hair catchers in showers and tubs.
- Pour grease into a can, not the sink.
- Flush only toilet paper.
- Run hot water after using the kitchen sink.
- Schedule a professional cleaning if a drain slows down more than once or twice a year.
EZ-CO Plumbing offers drain cleaning with camera inspection available, plus sewer services for main line problems. Call (607) 373-6421 before a small problem becomes a big one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should drains be professionally cleaned?
Most homes only need it when a problem appears. Homes with recurring clogs, heavy kitchen use or tree roots near the sewer line benefit from a cleaning every year or two.
Why does my drain gurgle?
Gurgling usually means a partial blockage or a venting problem is trapping air in the drain line. If several fixtures gurgle, the main line may be involved.
Mike Ezzo
Owner and Lead Plumber, EZ-CO Plumbing
Mike and the EZ-CO team handle residential plumbing, well systems, water heaters and heating across Sherburne, Hamilton, Earlville and the surrounding towns in Chenango and Madison County. The guidance in this article comes from the jobs we do every week. Read what customers say on our reviews page.
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