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Drain problems usually start small. A sink slows down. Water sits in the tub a little longer than it should. Maybe there’s a bad smell coming from the kitchen drain and you keep hoping it will go away.
Most of the time, it does not.
At Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical, we help homeowners in Birmingham clear clogged drains and get things working normally again. Some calls are simple. Others turn out to be bigger problems hiding deeper in the line. Either way, we take the time to find the cause and fix it the right way.
Drain Problems Usually Get Worse, Not Better
A slow drain does not always feel urgent. That is why people put it off. But once buildup starts inside a pipe, it usually keeps collecting more debris. Before long, what was just an annoyance turns into a full blockage or a backup.
That is especially true in kitchens and bathrooms where drains get used every day.
If you have more than one drain acting up at the same time, that can point to a larger issue in the system. That is not something you want to ignore for long.
Physical Removal
To remove the shower drain clogs physically, one of your best options is to use a plunger or a drain snake. Drain snakes are long, serrated tools that you can use to dislodge debris that is clogged on the surface of your shower drain.
These are particularly useful for any shower drain clogs that are only caused by grease and grime from shampoos and conditioners. Plungers use suction in order to get debris out of the pipes but are also best for surface-level clogs.
Chemical Removal
Chemical drain cleaners can be used to remove clogs in a shower drain. These products contain powerful chemicals that break down organic matter and dissolve the blockage. To use a chemical drain cleaner, all you have to do is follow the directions on the packaging. Be warned: chemical cleaners can do a lot of damage to your pipes!
Another option that you can use for a more natural approach is hot water and baking soda, which can assist with clogs that come from organic material. All you have to do is pour baking soda followed by hot water down the drain. Close the drain for 10 minutes. This will help dislodge any debris that is left over.
Call A Technician!
Calling a technician is the best option that you have if there’s a stubborn clog in your home. Using state-of-the-art technology and knowledge, our plumbing professionals will address the clog as well as any of the remnants that it leaves behind. Allowing one of our technicians to remove clogs ensures that your pipes won’t receive any damage from physical or chemical removal, keeping your plumbing healthy and functional.
Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing and Electrical offers many different membership programs that allow for you to schedule services more easily than ever, at a price that won’t break the bank. By taking advantage of these programs, you can schedule plumbing repairs and removals at a fraction of the price.
Common Signs You Need Drain Cleaning
Sometimes the warning signs are obvious. Other times they are easy to brush off until the problem gets worse.
You may notice:
- Water draining slower than usual
- Bubbling or gurgling sounds in the pipes
- A bad odor coming from the drain
- A clog that keeps coming back
- Water backing up into a sink, tub, or shower
If any of that sounds familiar, it is probably time to have it checked.
What Causes a Drain to Clog?
There is not one answer to that. It depends on the drain and how it is used.
In a bathroom, the usual problem is hair, soap, and residue that builds up little by little. In the kitchen, grease is a big one. Food scraps can make things worse, especially when they catch inside the pipe and start collecting more debris.
Sometimes the problem is farther down the line. We also see main drain issues caused by heavy buildup, shifting pipes, or roots in older sewer lines.
That is why guessing does not help much. You need to know what is actually causing the blockage before you can solve it for good.
How We Handle Drain Cleaning
We do not rely on shortcuts. We use professional equipment to clear the drain based on what the situation calls for.
In some homes, that means using a drain machine to break through the blockage and clear the line. In other cases, it helps to inspect the pipe with a camera so we can see what is happening inside. That is especially useful when the same problem keeps coming back.
Our job is not just to get the water moving before we leave. It is to make sure you understand what caused the problem and what shape the line is in.
Why Store Products Are Not Always the Answer
A lot of people try liquid drain cleaners first. That makes sense. They are easy to grab off a shelf and they promise a quick fix.
The problem is that they often do very little beyond burning through part of the clog. They usually do not remove the full blockage. On top of that, repeated use can be hard on your plumbing.
If the drain keeps slowing down, there is usually a reason. It is better to solve that than keep pouring chemicals into the line and hoping for a different result.
Call When the Drain Problem Cannot Wait
If your drain is slow, clogged, or backing up, Brown Cooling, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical is here to help.
We provide drain cleaning services in Birmingham, AL and surrounding areas. We will take a look, explain what is going on, and get the problem handled with the right solution.
Call today to schedule service.
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