General Plumbing Blog: Archive for the ‘Drain and Sewer’ Category

How Professionals Unclog Drains—And Keep the Clog From Coming Back!

Monday, July 8th, 2024
Water flowing smoothly down a stainless steel sink drain after professional drain cleaning service.

Clogs are a routine annoyance in home plumbing, and people often use “routine” methods to try to unclog them. Sometimes a plunger or simple drain auger can clear a stopped up drain, but just as often these methods leave behind part of clogging material, making it easier for the clog to come back. Chemical drain cleaners are actually unhelpful—they may clear a way through a clog, but most of it will remain. Worse, the acidic nature of the store-bought chemicals can severely damage the pipe and lead to corrosion. Instead, we recommend avoiding store-bought drain cleaners and choosing a safer, more effective solution like professional drain cleaning. With professional service, you can be confident the job will be completed efficiently and to the highest standards. Licensed and insured technicians are available around the clock to handle drain unclogging and thorough cleaning, ensuring your plumbing system is restored to optimal condition.

How Pros Unclog Drains & Stop Repeat Clogs

Professionals use a strategic, long-lasting approach:

  • Camera inspection to locate clogs and assess for deeper issues like roots or pipe damage.
  • Mechanical augers or snakes to dislodge tough blockages deep in the system.
  • Hydro-jetting with high-pressure water to clear grease, debris, and scale buildup.
  • Eco-friendly enzyme treatments to break down organic matter and maintain clean pipes.
  • Final camera inspection and water test to confirm full restoration of flow.
  • Preventive maintenance plans to catch buildup early and avoid future clogs.

If you want to know how to unclog a drain in Boynton Beach and keep it away, the best place to go is professional plumbers who offer drain and sewer cleaning services using advanced methods. Professionals take specific action steps such as inspecting the drain, diagnosing the issue, and using the right tools to clear the blockage. Before starting work, they develop a detailed plan based on their assessment to ensure the most effective solution. Appointments are scheduled promptly, and we send out skilled technicians quickly to address your issues. The owner is sometimes involved in reviewing or overseeing the work to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. General Plumbing and Air Conditioning has been providing exceptional service since 1981, building a reputation for reliability and expertise. Learn more about our drain and sewer cleaning services and how we keep your plumbing system clear and flowing properly with non-invasive, lasting techniques. To help you understand why calling our pros is the quickest way to clean drain and few clogs in the future, we’re going to go into how licensed professionals handle drain unclogging. 

Continue Reading

What’s Clogging My Drain?

Monday, May 13th, 2024
drain-and-spoon

Clogged or slow drains are a major headache that most of us face at one time or another. Sometimes, the clogs are simple to get through using a plunger. Other clogs are much more obstinate—if you want them cleared away without causing any harm to the rest of your plumbing, and keep them from coming back, you’ll need the assistance of licensed, professional plumbers who know how to prevent future clogs.

What commonly clogs household drains?

Household drains often clog due to a buildup of everyday materials like hair, soap scum, grease, food scraps, and mineral deposits. These substances accumulate over time, narrowing pipe flow and eventually causing slow or blocked drainage that requires professional cleaning to fully clear.

We offer expert drain cleaning in Boynton Beach to handle your clogged and slow drain woes. But let’s delve a bit more into what might be causing that clogged drain and why you’ll often need our assistance. 

Continue Reading

Drain Cleaning Methods the Professionals Use

Monday, April 1st, 2024
High-pressure water jet cleaning a sewer drain during repair work.

Although a clogged drain isn’t necessarily the worst residential plumbing trouble you might run into, it’s one of the most common and irritating. Water that won’t drain out of the kitchen sink when you’re trying to clean up after a meal, or a shower that leaves you standing in ankle-deep water when it’s over are troubles you want resolved quickly. Homeowners often forget the vital importance of having an effectively operating drainage system, which can lead to neglect and recurring issues. If you are a homeowner, it’s important to recognize your responsibility in maintaining your plumbing, and seeking professional help can save you time and hassle. For prompt drain cleaning services, schedule cleaning before the holiday rush. We are a responsible partner in maintaining your plumbing system, ensuring reliable and expert service every step of the way. For prompt drain cleaning services, contact us today to schedule an inspection or service we are happy to accommodate your schedule and specific needs for maximum convenience.

How do professionals repair a damaged sewer drain?

Professional sewer drain repair typically follows these steps:

  • Inspect with camera to pinpoint damage (e.g., roots, cracks, offsets) before digging.
  • Choose appropriate repair method:
    • Trenchless lining (CIPP or pull‑in‑place): inserts a resin liner to seal small cracks or root intrusion.
    • Pipe bursting: replaces severely damaged pipe by fracturing the old line while pulling in a new pipe.
    • Spot repair/excavation: dig to damaged section and replace the affected pipe with proper fittings.
  • Clean the pipe using hydro-jetting or augers to remove debris and prepare for lining or bursting.
  • Test and inspect post-repair with camera and/or water testing to ensure pipe integrity and correct pitch.

You can attempt to unclog a drain on your own using some simple remedies, such as a plunger (quite handy) or a simple drain snake. But when the simple methods fail, it’s time to call for professional plumbers. Clogged drains are commonly caused by hair, grease, food scraps, or soap scum, which can accumulate over time and create stubborn blockages. All types of drain issues are covered by our comprehensive services, ensuring you have reliable support whenever you need it. If you’ve got a clogged drain in West Palm Beach you can’t eliminate, turn to our professional drain and sewer cleaning services for long-term solutions that actually last. Our team consists of licensed professionals who are trained to handle both cleaning and repair services, so you can trust us to restore your plumbing system. We help you deal with stubborn clogs and maintain the integrity of your plumbing.

What methods do we use for drain cleaning? We’ll go through them, but first we want to talk about a tool we don’t use… The cost of drain cleaning can vary depending on factors like access points, the severity of the clog, and the techniques required, but we always strive to provide value and flexible payment options. Understanding the importance of regular drain cleaning can help prevent costly repairs and protect your home’s plumbing health and safety. Additionally, the trap in each drain line plays a crucial role in preventing harmful sewer gases from entering your home, making proper maintenance even more essential. The process of sewer line repair typically involves inspection, cleaning, and installation, ensuring a thorough and effective resolution to plumbing issues.

Continue Reading

We Recommend Regular Drain Cleaning—Here’s Why

Monday, February 5th, 2024
drain-cleaning

When you’ve got a clogged drain or toilet, what do you do? The best first step is to reach for a plunger, which can help get rid of minor clogs. You may also attempt to use a simple drain auger. If those basic tactics don’t work, you’ll need to call for drain cleaning in West Palm Beach, FL with our team. (Don’t use chemical drain cleaners! They can harm your drains and harm you.)

But a clogged or slow drain isn’t the only reason to call us for drain cleaning. We recommend you make drain cleaning a regular part of preventive maintenance in your house and schedule it yearly. If you only think of drain cleaning as a way to fix a problem like a clog, you might find this surprising. Regular drain cleaning, however, has some excellent benefits. Our professional drain cleaning methods ensure your drains stay clear of build-up and reduce the chances of future clogs.

Continue Reading

Don’t Use Store-Bought Drain Cleaners to Unclog Your Drains!

Monday, October 2nd, 2023
Illustration of a clean pipe with arrows and bubbles showing successful drain cleaning and clogged drain service.

We know that clogged drains are one of the biggest nuisances you can encounter with your plumbing. They’re frustrating, and sometimes you just want to get rid of them as fast as possible. You already tried using a sink or toilet plunger, and when that didn’t work, you next reached for a trusty bottle of liquid drain cleaner…

Is it safe to use store-bought drain cleaners for clogs?

No, store-bought drain cleaners can do more harm than good. They may only partially clear the blockage, while the harsh chemicals can corrode pipes, release toxic fumes, and pose health risks. Professional drain cleaning offers a safer, more effective and long-lasting solution.

We’ll stop you right there: no matter what promises these so-called “drain cleaners” may make, no matter how many of them are on the shelves at the store, they should never go down any of the drains in your home. No professional plumber recommends using them. If you have an obstinate drain clog that a plunger won’t clear,  the best next step is to call us for professional drain cleaning in Lake Worth, FL.

Our plumbers use the best tools and the latest in technology to clean drains and sewer lines. With extensive experience and service coverage throughout Florida, we are equipped to handle drain and sewer issues in cities across the state. In some cases, professionals may need to create or improve access points to your plumbing system, making it easier to perform thorough drain cleaning or repairs with minimal disruption and cost.

What’s so bad about store-bought drain cleaners? We’ll explain below.

Continue Reading