Sink Drain Cleaning and Unclog
Clogged drains and blocked pipes may seem to be minor issues, but they can quickly escalate to bigger issues. Clogs can occur for a number of different reasons, but the following includes four of the most common causes of clogged pipes and drains in residential and commercial properties.
Phone: (805) 298-3695
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What items can clog the sink drain?
Food Particles – Food is one of the most prevalent causes of clogged kitchen drains. Even if you’re mindful of keeping food out of the sink, small particles or grains of rice, bread, and other foods can be easy to miss while cooking or washing the dishes. Garbage disposals are a helpful tool, but they cannot dissolve anything and everything that people put into them. Even with a garbage disposal, food washed down the drain can accumulate in the pipe system and under the sink, especially if food particles are regularly thrown down the sink. In general, at A Plus Appliances we recommend homeowners let as little food as possible into the drain. Scrape away large particles and throw them in the trash. Pay special attention to avoid washing down egg shells, coffee grounds, raw meat with bones, pasta, potato peels, fruit pits, artichokes, celery and produce stickers.
Solidified Grease – Another major cause of sink clogs occurs when oils and other fat-based substances are poured down the drain. While grease may appear to be liquid enough to easily go through the pipes, but grease can congeal and stick to the walls of the piping system. What’s more, solidified grease can accumulate over time, collect other food particles, and affect other pipes and plumbing components. Avoid pouring oils down the drain altogether. After cooking, contain hot grease in a heat-proof container. Once the grease solidifies, empty the hardened contents into the trash. Because disposals cannot dissolve liquid grease, be sure to turn on the garbage disposal while running cold water to help the grease pass through the pipes. Should the pipe remain clogged, contact us to schedule sink drain repair. We will ensure the drain clog-free and drains properly.
Accumulated Hair – Though primarily found in shower and tub drains, hair clogs can happen in any drain. Fallen pieces of hair can easily get stuck inside pipes, especially if the hair is long and/or falls off in big chunks. Residue that coats each strand of hair — from shampoo, soap, hair products, and natural scalp oils — can congeal and attach the hair stick to the inner pipe’s lining. Over time, accumulated hair particles create a solid mass within the pipe and trap any food or grease particles that venture down the drain. One or two strands of hair won’t cause the plumbing to fail but it’s important that you prevent hair from accumulating over time. Keep hair out of the drain by purchasing and installing sink guards or drain protectors, which collect the majority of hair outside of the drain.
Small Objects – Miscellaneous tiny objects can fall into any drain in a home and cause and/or aggravate clogs. Supervise children while they use the sink to prevent them from dropping small toys in the drain. Other items you should avoid flushing or washing down includes paper towels; cat litter; rags; feminine hygiene products; cotton balls; dental floss; wet wipes; nail polish; polish remover; paints; medications; antifreeze; and other toxic or flammable chemicals. Each of these items can also cause and exacerbate clogs in the plumbing system. On its own, a tiny object may not cause an apparent clog. But it just takes one small object to act as a base layer for other particles to attach to and accumulate within. In addition to preventing hair clogs, sink guards and drain protectors prevent clogs from small objects
Unclogging The Drain Process
During the unclogging process of a drain, a skilled professional will diagnose what is blocking your drain from draining properly. Our technician will clear any debris that is blocking the drain. Having a professional clean your drains is recommended to ensure everything is removed and the drain if working properly. There may be some debris remaining by an untrained eye. This thorough cleaning will keep your drain working properly far longer than without it. After the drain is clean, the technician will perform an inspection to ensure everything is safe and in working order. If you are ready to schedule an appointment, call us today at 805-298-3695 or fill out the form below! This includes visual inspections, lint screen cleaning, measurements, debris, clog and bird removal.
**Advisory/Disclaimer: If we find that the vent in your home or business is not up to current building codes when we arrive we will be unable to clean it for liability reasons. We will at that time offer you solutions to have your sink or plumbing repaired or replaced and the choice is yours if you decide to proceed with the recommended service.**