A drain that will not clear can be an emergency
A slow sink is an annoyance. A drain that backs up into a tub, a toilet that gurgles when the washer runs, or water rising in a floor drain is different, because it usually means the main line is blocked and every fixture in the house shares the problem. Stop running water, keep children and pets away from standing water, and call.
Our 24/7 line takes drain emergencies at any hour. Tell us which fixtures are affected, since one clogged sink points to a local blockage while several backed-up fixtures point to the main line. That detail decides the tools the plumber brings.
What is usually behind a clogged drain in Roy homes
Most clogs are not mysterious. They are a handful of repeat causes, and knowing which one you have changes the fix.
Grease and soap film.
Kitchen lines narrow over years as grease cools on pipe walls. A cable alone can punch a hole through it, while hydro jetting scours the wall clean.
Hair and soap in bathrooms.
Tub and shower drains clog at the trap and the first few feet of pipe. These are usually the quickest clogs to clear.
Roots in older lines.
Clay and cast iron lines laid in the mid century can have joints that let fine roots in. Roots return unless the line is cleaned properly or repaired.
Flushed wipes and paper products.
Wipes sold as flushable do not break down like toilet paper and build up at bends, then catch everything else.
Which cause you have decides whether a quick clear is enough or the line needs a camera look first.
How we clear a drain and confirm it is actually clear
Clearing water for an hour is not the same as fixing the line. Our process is built to tell the difference.
- 1
Find the scope of the problem.
The plumber checks which fixtures drain and which do not, then locates the nearest cleanout to reach the blockage directly.
- 2
Choose the right tool.
A hand auger works for a sink trap. A motorized cable handles longer runs. Stubborn grease or scale calls for a jetter.
- 3
Run water and test.
After clearing, the plumber runs water through the line and watches the flow. A line that drains fast but still gurgles may have another issue.
- 4
Recommend a camera when it makes sense.
If a clog returns or the line is old, a sewer camera inspection shows what a cable cannot.
Backed-up drain right now?
Stop using water and call. A plumber can start the diagnosis today.
Cabling or jetting: which fits your drain
Both methods are useful. The question is what is inside the pipe.
Cable (auger) clearing
- Fast for a single blockage like a wad of hair or paper.
- Works well on sinks, tubs and short branch lines.
- Leaves a clear core, but pipe wall film can remain.
- Usually the first step on a routine clog.
Hydro jetting
- Uses high-pressure water to scour the pipe wall.
- Better for grease, scale and root hairs in main lines.
- Not suited to every pipe, so a camera look comes first on old lines.
- Described in detail on our hydro jetting page.
If you are unsure which applies, the plumber will explain the choice before using it.
What decides the price of a drain job
Drain work is priced after the plumber knows where the clog is and what it takes to reach it. These are the factors that move the price.
Insurance may cover water damage from a sewer backup only if you carry the right endorsement. Ask your insurer, and keep photos.
Why Roy drains clog the way they do
Roy has a lot of housing from the 1950s through the 1980s, and the drain lines under those yards were laid with materials that age differently. Older clay and cast iron lines tend to roughen inside and collect roots at joints, while newer PVC lines stay smooth but can sag in settling soil and hold water at the low spot.
The city's own water plan notes that Roy's soil is corrosive to metal, which is one reason new city mains are mostly PVC. Private lines on your side of the property are a separate story, and older metal pipe in the ground deserves attention if you see repeat backups. A camera look settles the question quickly.
Habits that keep drains clear between visits
None of these needs tools, and together they remove most repeat calls.
- Let kitchen grease cool in a can and put it in the trash instead of the sink.
- Use a hair catcher in tub and shower drains.
- Flush only toilet paper, since wipes of any label clog lines.
- Run hot water for a minute after washing greasy dishes.
- Know where your cleanout is so a plumber can reach the main line quickly.
Avoid chemical drain openers. They can damage pipes and make the next cable job hazardous for the plumber.
What to do before the plumber arrives
These steps keep a backup from spreading while help is on the way.
- Stop running water in sinks, showers, dishwashers and washers.
- Keep children and pets away from standing water.
- Do not use plug-in electrical equipment near wet floors.
- Do not pour chemical cleaners into a backed-up drain.
- Move belongings off the floor and photograph the area for your records.
If water is rising toward outlets or the electrical panel, stay out of the area and call 911 if there is any risk.
Where we clear drains
We clear drains across Roy and take calls from Riverdale, Clearfield and the rest of our dispatch area. Each town page explains the local housing and water, which shapes the clogs we see there.
Questions about drain cleaning
It is when several fixtures back up at once, sewage appears in a tub or floor drain, or water will not leave a toilet. Stop using water and call the 24/7 line. A single slow sink can usually wait for a same-day visit when available.
We recommend against it. The chemicals can damage older pipes, and if the clog does not clear, the standing chemical water is a hazard for the plumber and for you.
The plumber runs water through the line after clearing it and watches the flow. If the clog returns quickly or the line is old, a camera inspection shows the cause.
Yes. Main line blockages are the most common emergency drain call. See sewer line cleaning and sewer line repair for what comes next when a line is damaged.