Clearing a clogged drain is the most common reason for calling for a plumber.  It’s also the plumbing problem most people attempt to tackle themselves.  True, it’s handy to keep some liquid drain cleaner and give it a try, but that’s often not the best solution and frequently just delays calling in a professional to clear the clog and get your life back on schedule.  In the worst case it can damage a garbage disposal or even your plumbing.

So let’s discover a few important things about drain cleaning and when it’s best to call in an expert.  There are several types of drain clogs, usually described in terms of the type of fixture — shower, toilet, or kitchen sink.  But the real issue is what’s actually causing the back up or slow drainage.

Shower and Tub Drain Cleaning

Most shower drain problems are caused by a build up of hair and soap scum.  So the first step is to open the drain and pull out any obvious obstruction.  If that doesn’t solve it, liquid drain cleaners are reasonably effective on this type of blockage.  Just don’t over do it.  Follow the cleaner’s instructions, and don’t use it more than once or twice.  If it’s still no-go, it’s time to call a residential plumber.  Drain snaking will completely take care of the problem in most cases.

Toilet and Sewer Drain Cleaning

With large diameter pipes, a toilet rarely clogs from normal use.  A toilet back up is usually the result of foreign objects in the toilet itself, or tree roots penetrating the sewer line between the building and the street.  Either way, a toilet clog is not really something you want to, nor should, treat yourself!

Depending on the exact nature of the problem, a sewer expert will use an auger or high-pressure jetting to clear the blockage.  If it’s a matter of tree roots, you’ll need to do something about the tree or the type of sewer pipe.  If there’s been significant damage it will be necessary to repair or replace the sewer line.  That could be digging a single hole for a spot repair, or digging a trench in order to replace a length of pipe.  There are also trenchless methods to avoid disturbing landscaping, driveways, and walkways.  A professional plumber will discuss the options with you, and then provide a detailed estimate and schedule.

Kitchen Sink Drain Cleaning

Kitchen sinks will need drain cleaning from time to time due the build up of grease and food debris.  A clog can develop gradually over time, or suddenly when something that should be kept out finds its way into the garbage disposal or drain.  Liquid drain cleaners sometimes work, but are less effective against food debris and grease.

If you want to try a do-it-yourself approach, the first step is checking the J-trap and the outlet of the garbage disposal.  If the problem is in the drain pipe itself, drain snaking may at least partly solve the problem.  But often that just punches a hole through a grease plug.  You’ll get some drain flow, but that hole will close back up relatively soon and you’ll have a sink full of water all over again.  Only special truck-mounted hydro-jetting equipment will completely clean out your pipes.

Commercial Grease Traps

Restaurants and just about any commercial facility where food is prepared or served will have a grease trap.  The trap intercepts heavy oils and grease, and keeps them from going into the sewer line where they can cause big problems.  Grease traps need regular scheduled cleaning as well as inspection to make sure they’re working properly.  Neglecting them can lead to a business disruption or even health code violations.  That means that it’s well worth the expense of bringing in an outside expert.  A commercial plumber knows the ins and outs of the many trap designs, and can complete the FOGS (fatty oils, grease, and solids) measurements and reporting required by the EPA.

ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing Professional Plumbing Services

As with just about everything, if you want to be sure the jobs is done right without the risk of causing yet more problems, bring in a professional.  Rather than just any local plumber, they should be fully trained and licensed plumbers specializing in drain and sewer services.  Like the experts as ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing.  We have the training, experience, and special equipment needed to completely solve all your drain, sewer, and grease trap problems.  That includes an in-pipe remote video camera to exactly locate and understand the nature of your particular clog.  We’re your best choice in San Diego.

1. Minimize disruptions of business operations.
2. Avoid more extensive and more expensive damage from undiscovered problems.
3. Keep water consumption low.
4. Comply with local, state, and federal inspection and reporting laws, codes, and regulations.

ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing stays up to date in all of these areas, and has found that maintenance plans are especially important for restaurants, hotels, and healthcare and senior care facilities. The following is just four of the many specific examples where professional plumbing maintenance can help your business.

Grease Trap Cleaning

Any facility involved in food preparation will have (or should have!) a grease trap to intercept fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and keep them from reaching the sewer. Those traps need regular cleaning by someone like ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing with the training and experience to spot any problems that need correcting. Otherwise you’ll face drain backups, and possibly even fines for code violation. In nearly all cases a FOG report needs to be made at each cleaning and filed with the EPA.

Toilets and Urinals

The tankless flush valves used in commercial toilets and urinals have numerous moving parts that need periodic adjustment and replacement. Otherwise the fixture will flush for too short or long a period, won’t flush at all, or will flush continuously wasting huge amounts of water. Even waterless urinals need periodic replacement of a liquid additive or cartridge. Even if you’re comfortable having your own staff perform this task, a periodic professional inspection will make sure that this is being done and done properly.

Plumbing Leaks

Water leaks at fixtures are pretty easy to spot, but leaks within walls or under the floor can do very significant damage before they’re spotted. A slab leak can undermine your building’s foundation and cause structural damage before you even know it exists. Hidden leaks can go on for months without anyone realizing it. It’s important to have regular pressure and other leak tests to avoid this. If there is a leak, up to date professionals such as ASAP can locate the leak and make repairs without tearing hole after hole in your walls or floor trying to find it.

Water Heaters and Boilers

Water heaters need regular backflushing to reduce the build up of scale, which results in less hot water being available and higher energy bills. Boilers require more advanced cleaning at regular intervals, and performance usually suffers even more from neglect. Closed-water boiler systems also have some dozen key items that need scheduled inspection, adjustment, and servicing.

Regular Plumbing Maintenance – Conclusions

The various reasons for scheduled plumbing maintenance all boil down to one word: dollars. That is, the cost of lost productivity or sales, fines and penalties, increased water and associated sewage fees, and the costs of damage resulting from unknown or neglected problems. Plus one more we haven’t mentioned — replacement costs. With proper maintenance plumbing, fixtures, and equipment will last significantly longer. All of this can get pretty complicated, and shouldn’t be done piecemeal.

The master plumbers at ASAP Drain Guys & Plumbing include experienced experts in the many specific details and characteristics of plumbing for the many different types of commercial and industrial buildings. We’ll work with you to create a custom inspection and maintenance plan that will save you significant money in the long run. And leave you with a file folder’s worth of things you won’t have to deal with or worry about anymore.