What to Expect from a Professional Drain Cleaning Service

Drain problems can start small, but they rarely go away on their own. A slow drain might seem like a minor inconvenience, but over time, it can turn into a complete blockage. When that happens, you may experience standing water, bad smells, and even potential water damage.

Regular drain cleaning isn’t just about clearing a single clog—it helps maintain your entire plumbing system. Professional services use advanced techniques like hydrojetting, drain snaking, and camera inspections to remove buildup, detect hidden pipe damage, and prevent future blockages.

If you’ve never scheduled a drain cleaning service before, you might not know what to expect. Here’s a breakdown of each step in the professional drain cleaning process, so you can understand how professionals handle stubborn clogs and keep your pipes working properly.

1. Initial Inspection and Assessment

Before starting any drain cleaning procedure, a plumber inspects the affected drain to determine the type and severity of the blockage. This step is essential because different clogs require different solutions.

Signs That a Professional Inspection is Necessary

If you experience any of the following problems, it’s time for a professional drain assessment:

✔ Slow Drainage – Water takes too long to drain from sinks, tubs, or showers.
✔ Recurring Clogs – If you’re constantly dealing with backed-up drains, there’s likely an underlying issue.
✔ Unpleasant Odors – Bad smells coming from your drain may be caused by trapped food, grease, or sewer gas leaks.
✔ Gurgling Noises – Strange sounds when water drains could mean air is trapped in the pipes due to a clog.
✔ Standing Water or Backups – If water backs up into your sink or shower, there may be a major obstruction in the drain or sewer line.

Ignoring these warning signs can lead to bigger plumbing issues, such as pipe bursts or water damage.

How the Inspection is Performed

During the inspection, a plumber may use basic visual assessments or specialized tools like camera inspections to get a deeper look inside the pipes.

2. Camera Inspection for Deeper Issues

If the plumber suspects a major blockage or pipe damage, they might perform a drain camera inspection. This method provides a real-time, high-definition view inside your plumbing system, helping pinpoint the exact cause and location of the problem.

How a Drain Camera Inspection Works

1. A waterproof camera attached to a flexible rod is inserted into the drain.
2. The camera transmits live footage to a monitor, allowing the plumber to see any clogs, cracks, or misalignments.
3. The plumber determines whether the issue can be resolved with hydrojetting or snaking, or if pipe repair is needed.

What a Camera Inspection Can Reveal

✔ Clog Composition – Whether the blockage is grease, hair, soap scum, food debris, or a solid object.
✔ Tree Root Intrusion – A common issue in underground sewer lines where roots grow into pipes.
✔ Pipe Damage – Cracks, corrosion, and collapsed pipes that need repair.
✔ Sewer Line Blockages – Large obstructions affecting the entire plumbing system.

This step is especially useful for older homes with aging pipes, where recurring clogs may indicate deeper structural issues.

3. Drain Snaking for Minor Clogs

For mild to moderate blockages, plumbers often use drain snaking (also called augering). This process helps break apart and remove solid debris that is restricting water flow.

How Drain Snaking Works

1. A long, coiled metal cable with a rotating tip is inserted into the drain.
2. The plumber feeds the snake through the pipe until it reaches the clog.
3. The rotating mechanism breaks apart the blockage or hooks onto solid obstructions for removal.

When Drain Snaking is Effective

✔ Hair Clogs – Found in bathroom sinks and shower drains.
✔ Soap and Grease Buildup – Common in kitchen drains.
✔ Small Foreign Objects – Like paper towels, cotton swabs, or food scraps.

Drain snaking is a quick and cost-effective method for handling minor clogs, but it may not be strong enough to clear heavy grease buildup, solidified sludge, or tree roots.

4. Hydrojetting for Stubborn Clogs and Buildup

For severe blockages, plumbers use hydrojetting, a process that uses high-pressure water jets to remove stubborn clogs and pipe buildup.

How Hydrojetting Works

1. A specialized nozzle is inserted into the drain, connected to a machine that pumps water at extremely high pressure.
2. The high-powered water blasts away grease, soap scum, sludge, and mineral buildup inside the pipes.
3. The process also removes tree roots and other debris that could be restricting water flow.

When is Hydrojetting Recommended?

✔ Hardened Grease and Sludge – Common in kitchen sinks.
✔ Tree Roots in Pipes – Often affects underground sewer lines.
✔ Recurring Clogs – If snaking isn’t enough to keep drains clear.
✔ Buildup in Commercial Drains – Restaurants and businesses that deal with grease and food waste.

Hydrojetting is one of the most effective and long-lasting drain cleaning methods, but it should only be performed by a professional to prevent pipe damage.

5. Sewer Line Cleaning for Major Blockages

If multiple drains in your home are clogging at the same time, you may have a sewer line blockage.

Common Causes of Sewer Line Clogs

• Tree Root Growth – Roots can break into underground pipes, blocking water flow.
• Heavy Grease or Sludge Accumulation – Over time, grease hardens and narrows the pipes.
• Broken or Collapsed Sewer Pipes – Common in older homes with aging plumbing systems.

How Sewer Line Cleaning is Done

Plumbers use hydrojetting or a heavy-duty sewer auger to remove deep blockages. In severe cases, a sewer line repair or replacement may be necessary.

6. Final Testing and Preventative Maintenance

Once the drain cleaning is complete, the plumber will:
✔ Run water through the drains to ensure proper flow.
✔ Check for leaks or pipe damage.
✔ Provide maintenance recommendations to prevent future clogs.

How to Keep Drains Clear After Cleaning

• Use drain covers to catch hair, food scraps, and debris.
• Avoid pouring grease down the sink, as it hardens and causes clogs.
• Flush drains with hot water regularly to reduce buildup.
• Schedule professional drain cleaning every 1-2 years.

Taking these steps can help extend the life of your plumbing system and prevent costly repairs.

7. Final Testing and Preventative Maintenance

Once the drain cleaning is complete, the plumber will perform final tests to ensure the pipes are completely clear and functioning properly. This step is just as important as the cleaning itself, as it verifies that the issue has been fully resolved and that your drains won’t clog again anytime soon.

What Happens During Final Testing?

✔ Water Flow Check – The plumber runs water through the cleaned drain to check for proper drainage speed. If the water still drains slowly, there may be a deeper issue that needs attention.
✔ Leak Inspection – If the blockage caused pressure buildup, pipes may have weakened or developed small leaks. The plumber will inspect for any leaks that could cause further problems.
✔ Odor Detection – Any lingering bad smells from your drain may indicate trapped food debris or sewer gas leaks that require additional cleaning or pipe repairs.
✔ Additional Camera Inspection (If Necessary) – In cases where the blockage was severe, the plumber may conduct a second camera inspection to ensure no debris or pipe damage remains.

If your drains pass all these tests, the plumber will provide maintenance tips to help prevent future clogs.

8. Preventing Future Drain Clogs

Regular maintenance is the best way to keep your drains clear and prevent serious plumbing issues. Small changes in your daily habits can make a big difference in reducing buildup and avoiding costly repairs.

Best Practices for Drain Maintenance

• Be Careful What Goes Down the Drain – Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds, food scraps, and other debris down your sink. Use a drain strainer to catch food particles and hair before they enter your pipes.
• Flush Drains with Hot Water – Running hot water down your kitchen sink after washing dishes helps clear out grease and soap residue. Doing this once a week can reduce buildup inside the pipes.
• Use Baking Soda and Vinegar – A monthly flush with baking soda followed by vinegar can help break down minor blockages and keep your drains fresh. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before rinsing with hot water.
• Limit Chemical Drain Cleaners – While store-bought drain cleaners can provide a quick fix, frequent use can corrode your pipes and cause long-term damage. Stick to natural solutions or professional cleaning methods.
• Schedule Routine Drain Cleaning – Even if your drains seem fine, having a professional clean them once or twice a year can remove hidden buildup and prevent unexpected clogs.

By following these simple steps, you can maintain smooth-running drains and avoid the inconvenience of major blockages. However, if you notice slow drainage, bad odors, or frequent clogs, it may be time to call a professional drain cleaning service.

Professional Drain Cleaning Keeps Your Plumbing in Top Shape

A professional drain cleaning service does more than remove clogs—it helps maintain the health of your plumbing system. From camera inspections and drain snaking to hydrojetting and sewer line cleaning, these services ensure smooth water flow and prevent costly damage.
If you’re dealing with recurring clogs, slow drains, or sewer backups, it’s time to call an expert. Sweetwater Plumbing provides reliable drain cleaning in Ontario, CA, Riverside drain cleaning, and sewer line repair in Pomona. Whether you need emergency plumbing services or routine maintenance, a professional plumber can keep your pipes running smoothly.
Contact us to schedule your appointment.
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