Category Archives: clogged drains

Why You Should Never Pour Grease Down the Drain

a woman washing dishes in sink.

Your home’s drain system is the primary waste disposal system for all the liquid and semi-solid waste generated. These can include raw sewage from the toilet, dirty bathwater, and of course, used water from the kitchen sink containing tiny food particles.

With all these different types of wastewater flowing into it, the drain system needs to be tough. Homeowners should not have to constantly worry that their home’s drains will break down. Indeed, most of the time, the drain lives up to these high expectations.

But not all the time:

Lyon Property Management explains that is because certain types of waste generated in your home are completely incompatible with the home’s drain system. Even though they are liquid or semi-liquid in nature, fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are the thing that should never go into your home’s drains.

Yes, dumping grease and oil into the sink after you finish cooking bacon or sautéing vegetable is an easy way to get rid of these used-up materials. But that simple act can trigger a series of events that may damage your home and cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) will not only harm your home’s drainpipes, but they can also undermine the function of the entire municipal sewer system. The effects of pouring grease into your sink drain are not limited to your home, and the cost of fixing those issues is monumental.

a plumber working on a pipe repair

Why is grease such a big problem for drainpipes?

Why you should never pour grease down the drain

  1. Effects of grease on your main sewer line

Grease is usually runny when you pour it into the sink because it is still warm. But once it reaches room temperature inside the drainpipes, it will solidify into a hard mass that is not easily transported by the water inside the drainpipes.

The now-solid grease can stick to the sides of pipes and trap debris contained in wastewater. If there are materials like wipes, eggshells, pads, condoms or paper towels inside the drain, these will also stick to the grease, making the problem worse.

Over time, as the mixture of grease and debris grows bigger, it will slow the wastewater inside the pipes to a point where debris routinely settles around the area. Given enough time, the entire pipe channel in that location can be blocked completely.

If this happens, your home will start to experience problems with slow drains; drains will be simultaneously slow across the entire home. If the blockage in your main sewer line is not found and removed, it may eventually lead to a sewer backup inside your house. 

Cleaning up a sewer backup in the home will cost anywhere from $100-$900, depending on the severity. This does not include the cost of fixing the damage to your home. The bill for those additional repairs can easily exceed ten thousand dollars.

But all these issues can be averted if you build the simple habit of getting rid of grease properly. Used-up grease should be put into a sealed container, such as a bottle, and allowed to cool before being put inside the trash can.

a sink bowl with water running.

   2. Effects of grease on municipal sewers

If grease finds its way out of your main sewer line into the city sewer line, it can cause even bigger problems. Just as it does inside your home’s drainpipes, grease will solidify when it enters the municipal sewer system.

But this time, the problem is at a massive dimension. That single blob of grease from your home will meet up and combine with blobs of grease from other people’s homes until they form a large hard mass inside the city sewers.

These huge masses of grease break down into fatty acids that combine with the calcium inside the wastewater in the sewer lines to form a soap-like compound known as a “fatberg.” Fatbergs can grow to enormous sizes – over a ton – inside municipal sewer systems.

Once in place, fatbergs will cause sewer backups that affect all the homes in a community. If the sewer backup in your home is due to fatbergs in the city sewers, cleaning up your home’s main sewer line will not solve the problem.

Fatbergs can be cleared out of city sewers, but it takes weeks. This does not even consider the amount of damage fatbergs do to sewer pipes or the ecological impact of fat blobs finding their way into surrounding water bodies.

But solving this problem is as simple as preventing it. The way to do it is by making sure grease never finds its way into your home’s drains. You can do that by teaching everyone in your household to always dispose of used-up grease properly.

If you accidentally pour a small amount of grease into your kitchen sink, follow it with hot water and a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. This will not solve the problem, but it can help to reduce the impact of that grease on the drain system and the environment.

Drain Unclogging Service in Chicago

drain snaking service in chicago.

Drain Cleaning Chicago

Drain cleaning in Chicago is an important part of keeping your home or business’s plumbing system running smoothly. When drains become clogged, it can lead to a myriad of problems that can be difficult to resolve. From slow draining sinks to backed up toilets, clogged drains can cause inconvenience and, in some cases, health risks. When it comes to drain cleaning services in Chicago, hiring a local plumber can help ensure the job is done right and the problem is resolved quickly and efficiently.

Professional drain cleaning services in Chicago offer a variety of services that can help keep your drainage system functioning properly. From clearing out clogs to installing new fixtures and cleaning out pipes, drain cleaning companies have the experience and tools to get the job done right. A professional drain cleaning service in Chicago can also provide maintenance services such as sewer line rodding, hydro jet drain cleaning, and sewer video camera inspections to ensure your drains remain clear and in good condition.

When it comes to drain cleaning plumbers in Chicago, it’s important to choose a company that is experienced and knowledgeable about the specific needs of the area. A company that is familiar with the local plumbing codes, ordinances, and conditions can ensure the job is done correctly and safely. In addition, they should have the necessary tools and equipment to handle any job, no matter how big or small.

unclog drains in chicago.

Unclog Drains in Chicago

If your pipes are blocked, unclogging the drain is essential. Professional drain cleaning services in Chicago can provide a variety of methods to unclog your drains. From using chemical cleaners to using a snake and auger, a professional can get the job done quickly and effectively.

Chemical cleaners are often the first line of defense when it comes to unclogging drains. These cleaners are specifically designed to break down and dissolve tough clogs. For tougher clogs, a drain snake or auger may be necessary. This tool is inserted into the pipe and then used to physically break up the clog. Pressure washers and hydro-jetting are also effective methods for unclogging drains.

When it comes to unclogging drains, it is important to exercise caution. Improper use of tools and chemicals can cause further damage to your pipes and plumbing system. It is best to leave the job to a professional who can ensure the job is done correctly and safely.

drain rodding service in chicago.

Drain Maintenance in Chicago

Regular drain maintenance is essential to keeping your plumbing system running properly. Professional drain cleaning services in Chicago can provide regular maintenance services to ensure your drains remain clear and in good condition. Maintenance services such as sewer line rodding, hydro-jetting, and sewer camera inspections can help prevent clogs and other problems from occurring.

Rodding is a common maintenance method used to clean out small debris and buildup that can cause clogs. Hydro jet drain cleaning cleaning is a more powerful method of cleaning and can be used to clear out larger buildups and debris. A sewer camera inspection is a great way to inspect your sewer and drain pipes for any problems and can be used to detect clogs and other issues that may be difficult to see.

Regular maintenance of your drains can help prevent clogs and other plumbing problems from occurring. Drain cleaning services in Chicago can help ensure your system is functioning properly and can help you save money in the long run.

When it comes to drain cleaning and maintenance in Chicago, it’s important to choose a reliable and experienced company. Professional drain cleaning companies have the experience and tools to get the job done right and can help keep your plumbing system running smoothly. From unclogging drains to providing regular maintenance services, a drain cleaning company in Chicago can help ensure your drains remain clear and in good condition.

Looking for help unclogging a drain or sewer line? Call us at 773-599-9181 or contact us below!

Can You Prevent Clogging of a Drain?

a free flowing drain.

Can you prevent clogging of a drain? 

Clogged drains are a common problem in modern plumbing systems. Mostly due to aging pipes or a general lack of plumbing maintenance, every year, thousands of American households find themselves dealing with plumbing issues caused by obstructions inside their drain lines. Clogged drains make up a significant part of all insurance claims related to water damage.

What causes a home’s drains to become clogged?

Keyrenter Broward explains there are two significant reasons; natural causes beyond the homeowner’s control and artificial causes from how you use the home’s drains.

The natural causes of clogged drains are less crucial because they account for a considerably small portion of drain issues in the house. These natural causes include:

  • Normal wear and tear on aging pipes: This is a common cause of clogs in old metal or clay drain pipes. The internal diameter of the pipes often becomes narrow as a result of rust or decay. When this happens, water finds it difficult to pass through the drains, increasing the rate of buildup inside the pipes.

  • Tree roots intrusion into drain lines: Tree roots may find their way into drainpipes via fractures in the piping or through weakened connections. Once inside the pipes, the roots can grow until they form a ball that partially or completely blocks the drain.

  • Earth movements: These are small shifts in the soil beneath a home. These slight movements can dislodge or damage a pipe because the proper slope of the drain is altered, making it more predisposed to build up.

But as already stated, natural causes of drain clogs are less critical than artificial ones because they are less frequent. The majority of drain clogs result from poor maintenance and improper use of the drains. Drain systems are designed to carry very specific types of waste. If the wrong items or materials are flushed into drains, they will clog.

a woman washing her hands in a sink.

Can you prevent drain clogs?

You can prevent the majority of drain clogs since most drain clogs are artificial. The key to keeping a home’s drain free of obstructions is to understand the everyday mistakes that cause this problem and avoid them. Below is a list of things that predispose the drains to clogs and how to avoid them.

Keep FOGS out of the drain

Fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are the number one enemy of drain pipes. Once inside the drain, these materials become congeal, sticking to the sides of pipes and trapping the debris inside wastewater until the pipes are clogged or blocked completely. Pour FOGs into a sealable container and dispose of them in the trash.

Avoid forbidden items

In addition to FOGs, food waste like starchy foods (rice or mashed potatoes), eggshells and coffee grinds should never be flushed into the drain. Starchy foods, for instance, will absorb water and swell to many times their normal size inside the drains. Eggshells and coffee grinds slow the water movement by settling at the bottom of the drainpipes.

Watch what you flush

A few items people dump into their toilets include wipes, paper towels, diapers, female hygiene products, dental floss, paint, or paint thinner. All these items increase the risk of clogs inside a drain system. It has no business inside the toilet if it is not human waste or toilet paper.

Install strainers over drain openings

As unlikely as it sounds, hair and soap scum will block the shower drain. It is not possible to keep your body from shedding hair inside the shower. Soap scum is also an unavoidable product of using soap. To keep soap scum and hair out of bathroom drains, install a mesh screen or a shower drain hair catcher over the drain opening.

Avoid chemical drain cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are quick fixes that can result in bigger issues. Chemical drain cleaners can clear your drains because they contain strong corrosives. But these corrosives can weaken the drainpipes and make them more liable to leak. To prevent drain clogs, avoid chemical drain cleaners.

a man repairing a faucet

Tackle problems early

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This adage is completely true when dealing with drain systems. Most drain issues start as minor problems that produce telltale signs. These small issues become major problems when those signs are ignored. Prompt action to solve problems will prevent most drain clogs.

Finally, even after doing all of the above, it is still possible to have clogs inside the home’s drain system. That is because modern plumbing systems are extensive and complicated. Homeowners can’t keep an eye on everything going on with their home’s drain lines. But there is a simple way to get around this problem.

Annual camera inspections of your drains and sewer lines should be a central part of the plumbing maintenance program for you to prevent clogs in the system. These inspections are vital for picking up problems at the early stages and solving them quickly and cheaply instead of waiting until they escalate into considerable costs. Only a professional plumber should perform these inspections.

What Do Several Clogged Drains Indicate?

a clogged drain

A clogged drain is a common problem in the home and commercial building plumbing systems. A drain clog is when wastewater cannot move freely through the drainpipes, or the water moves very slowly. Why do drains get clogged?

There are several reasons why a drain might become clogged. It can be due to natural processes, such as when corrosion narrows old pipes, making it difficult for water to pass through. It could also be due to soil movements that change the position of underground drainpipes.

But the most common causes of clogged drains are artificial, avoidable outcomes of how the drains in a home are used. Toilet drains may clog if something other than human waste is flushed into them, warns Action Properties Management. Kitchen drains are often clogged by a variety of food waste.

In addition to clogs in any drain inside your home, clogs can also occur in different sections of the drain system outside your house. Clogs close to drain openings inside the home are less severe than clogs deep inside the system.

The first type of drain clog will only affect the plumbing fixtures attached to that drain. But when a clog happens in a location deep inside the drainage system, the effect of that blockage will often be seen in all the plumbing fixtures in your home.

Why multiple drains in your home are clogged at once

Clogs affecting multiple drains in your home simultaneously signify serious issues within the home’s drain systems. That is because although each drain opening in the house appears separate from the others, they are connected.

Home drain systems comprise a network of pipes with a central drainpipe – the main sewer line – which collects all the wastewater from the house and carries it to the city sewer. This main sewer line is linked to the various plumbing fixtures in your home via connecting drain pipes.

If one of the drainpipes that feed into the main sewer line becomes clogged, the effect is only felt in the plumbing fixture that uses the drain. But if the clog happens in the main sewer line of your home, all the smaller drainpipes that connect to it will not be able to drain effectively.

The clog in the main sewer line creates a bottleneck that keeps wastewater from the plumbing fixtures in your home from flowing through the main sewer line. Instead of flowing into the city sewers, the water collects inside the pipes and may flow backwards into the house.

In most cases, the problem first appears in floor drains inside the home and other ones close to the ground. These drains become slower such as when bathwater doesn’t drain quickly when you shower. You may also find that toilets flush very slowly.

Other signs of a clog in your main sewer line are gurgling sounds from your home’s drains every time you use them, movement in the water inside the toilet bowl when you use the kitchen sink or washing machine and foul odors from drain openings in the house.

Frequent problems with your home’s drains may also signify deeper issues with the main sewer line. If several drains in the house are slow or showing signs of blockage, you may assume that the cause of the problem is in your home’s main sewer line.

Why your main sewer line is blocked and what you can do about it

Here are common reasons why your home’s main sewer line may be clogged:

Pouring grease into the drain: 

Fats, grease and oils (FOGs) are the number one cause of drain clogs. These materials stick to pipes and walls and debris attached to them.

Flushing forbidden items into your toilets:

Putting anything other than human waste and toilet paper into your toilet can result in a sewer line clog.

Sagging sewer lines: 

This is caused by movements in the soil surrounding the sewer line. Burrowing animals, sinkholes and soil movements due to house settling can cause these.

Aged sewer pipes 

This is a common issue with clay and metal drainpipes. As these pipes age, their channels become narrower due to corrosion and sedimentation.

Tree root infiltration 

Tree roots may find their way into sewer lines through hairline cracks in the pipe. Once inside the pipe, they can grow until they eventually block it.

What should you do if you are experiencing frequent drain issues in your home and multiple drains show signs of blockage?

The first step is verifying that the problem is with your main sewer line. Have a plumber perform a sewer camera inspection to pinpoint the exact location of the blockage in the sewer line. How you remove the clog depends on the location and what is causing it.

6 Ways to Prevent Drain Clogging

Ways to Prevent Drain Clogging

Keeping the drains in your home free of materials that block them is not the most carefree way to use your home’s plumbing but it is certainly the least expensive. We like to think of clogs and blockages as an inevitable consequence of having modern plumbing in the house, says Brentwood Square Management Inc. But most clogs happen as a result of the way we use the plumbing; they are completely avoidable.

When drains are kept free of grease, food waste, soap scum, and materials that can block them, the benefits are manifold. Not only are you relieved of the stress of having to deal with plumbing emergencies at the most inopportune times, but the plumbing is also kept in an overall better condition. The final outcome is that you will spend less money on plumbing issues.

If you are looking for ways to maximize the use of your plumbing by minimizing the incidence of blocked drains, this post will help you. Below are simple steps you can implement today to make your plumbing system healthier and more efficient. Some of the tips are preventive steps you can take to avoid clogs; others are simple solutions for dealing with minor clogs.

6 ways to prevent clogged drains

Watch what you pour down the kitchen drain

As a first step, be careful of what you allow into the drains. Most drain clogs are the results of letting seemingly harmless stuff get into the drain. Some of the items or materials that should never go into the drain include:

Coffee grounds and eggshells

If your kitchen has a waste disposal unit, eggshells can damage the blades and their membrane can impede grinding. Once inside the drains, powdered eggshells will settle at the bottom of pipes and compound existing clogs. Coffee grounds will mix with oil and grease to form sludge inside your pipes.

Cooking oils, grease, and margarine

All oily materials should never go into your drains. This includes butter, mayonnaise, margarine, leftover fats, oils, and grease. If these find their way into the drain, they will mix with debris inside the pipes, line the sides of the drain, and trap solid materials moving through the pipe.

Starchy foods

Rice, pasta, potato skins, and flour should not go into the drain. These materials will swell to many times their original size when they get into the water. Secondly, because they are starchy, they will stick to the surfaces of the pipes and prevent the free flow of water through the drainpipes.

Protect your bathroom drain

As with the kitchen drain, you must be careful with what you allow into your bathroom drains. Even things as ordinary as soap or so-called flushable items can clog your bathroom drain. Here are steps you can take to keep the bathroom drain from getting clogged.

Use drain stoppers

Make sure there are drain stoppers, grates, or screens over drain openings in the sink, shower, and bathtub. These will catch hair, soap scum, and other things that can cause problems inside the drain. To retain their effectiveness stoppers, grates and screens should be cleaned frequently.

Brush your hair before shower

To reduce the risk of hair getting into the drain, brush your hair before you get into the shower. Another step to minimize the risk of hair getting into the plumbing is to bathe pets outside instead of in the bathroom. But if you must use the bathroom, cover the drain with a towel first.

What to do when clogs happen

The following steps will help you get rid of minor clogs:

Flush with hot water

If possible, run hot water through your kitchen sink after every use. This simple step will keep the oils in food waste running, instead of congealing and building up on the inside of your pipes. For bathtubs, fill them with warm water and then remove the plug to the water drain out. Do this weekly.

Clean with baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda is a great cleaning agent and an amazing deodorizer. Throwing a handful of baking soda into the drain, followed by hot water will help to clear the drain pipes. You can also do this with vinegar. Pour a cup of vinegar into the drain and leave it for 30 minutes. Afterward, pour some hot water into the drain.

Use vinegar and salt

If after you use vinegar and baking soda, you still have problems with clogging; make a mixture of one part vinegar to one part salt. Pour the mixture into the drain and let it foam inside the pipes for 30 minutes before pouring very hot water into the drain.

Call a professional plumber

These remedies may not work if the clog is located deep inside your drain. If the issue persists after you have tried the above solutions, it is time to have a local plumber look at the problem. While the plumber is at your home, you can also have them do a general check of your plumbing system to prevent future problems after they perform a drain cleaning service.

drain cleaning plumber in chicago

How Clogged Drains Affect Your Home Plumbing System

How Clogged Drains Affect Your Home Plumbing System

How Clogged Drains Affect Your Home Plumbing System – Clogged drains are not just a mild inconvenience as some people might consider. They can cause serious harm to the property, warns Whole Property Management. If you start to notice a clogged drain in your home, you need to respond urgently. But how do you identify a clogged drain? 

Signs of clogged drains

Slow-moving drains

Pipes and drains do not block altogether at once. The blockage builds up gradually over time. As the debris keeps accumulating inside the drain, it slows down the movement of wastewater. So, if you notice that your drain is slowing down, it means a clog is developing in the drain. 

However, if all your drains are slowing simultaneously, you may be dealing with a clogged sewer line. On careful observation, toilet drains are the first to slow down if the sewer line develops a clog. Water may hang on for a while before it gradually sinks as you flush the toilet following this occurrence.

Gurgling sounds 

When clogs develop in your drain, they hinder the free flow of wastewater. Pipes conduct sound, and as a result, you may notice weird noises when wastewater drains through your plumbing fixtures. People commonly describe these noises as gurgling sounds when using the drain. Sometimes, you may observe it as bubbling, trickling, or hissing sounds. Cases that affect the main sewer line may experience these weird noises for a long time after you stop using the drain.

Clogged plumbing fixtures

A clogged plumbing fixture is a late sign. In this case, there is already a severe or complete blockage of the pipe. As a result, almost no water can flow through the drainpipe. You may notice this if your tub fills up as you are trying a shower or the sink overflows as you are using it.

The consequences of having a clogged drain

a woman smelling bad sewer odors from her drain.

Remember that you pour or flush items into the drains. Such things may include waste, food, gunk, hair, etc. These items will accumulate within the pipe and lead to clogging.

Unpleasant odors

Why do you experience unpleasant odors when you have a clogged drain? Remember that you pour or flush items into the drains. Such things may include waste, food, gunk, hair, etc. These items will accumulate within the pipe and lead to clogging. 

As a result, bacteria will have a suitable environment to grow and cause decay. The decay will present itself as terrible odors emanating from your drain. In addition, these odors will not stay within the pipes alone. They will also spread to other areas of the home. Imagine perceiving an unpleasant odor throughout your property. It can be upsetting to guests and neighbors.

Pest infestations

Several types of pests may infest a property that is experiencing clogged drains. The reasons are that unpleasant odors from the drain will attract pests, and the stagnant water will provide a suitable environment for them to thrive. Mosquitos and other insects multiply by laying their eggs in stagnant water. If food particles clog the drain, they will serve as a food for the pest.

Clogged drains will attract the following insects:

  • Drain flies (moth flies)
  • Phorid flies
  • Cockroaches
  • Fruit flies

Health hazards

Clogged drains provide an unhealthy environment in the home. Remember that the pipes harbor bacteria and produce unpleasant odors. These bacteria can contaminate your drinking water and cause harmful infections. 

Symptoms of such illnesses may present as fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. Common bacteria that may spread because of clogged drains include salmonella, campylobacter, helicobacter, etc. Unpleasant odors from clogged drains can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, mood swings, and irritations to the throat, eyes, and nose.

Pest infestation during clogged drains also helps in spreading germs. After nesting inside clogged pipes, these pests may perch on your food, plates, or drinking water.

Molds also grow because of clogged drains. The effects of mold growths in your home may present as allergies or respiratory diseases.

plumbing leak

Plumbing leaks

Water will always find a way to escape. When drains clog, the wastewater will back up within the pipes. After pooling for some time, water will start leaking through the pipe joints, seals, and caulking. Depending on the size of the leakage, some homeowners may not notice it immediately.

Structural damage

Gradual leakage of plumbing fixtures into the soil and surrounding structure can affect the property. If it happens close to the foundation, the structural integrity will weaken. 

Severe drain clogs will cause wastewater to back up into your home. As a result, your home may experience flooding. Depending on the type of flooring, floods in the home may damage the floors. When this happens, the repairs are usually expensive.

The bottom line 

It is advisable to treat a clogged drain as an emergency. When you notice that you are experiencing clogged drains, turn off the water supply to your home and call a professional local plumber. Plumbers have the appropriate tools, training, and skills to locate the problem inside the drain or offer professional drain cleaning solutions.

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