Your Quick Fix for Residential Clogged Drains in Denton, TX

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Denton Is Tough on Clogged Drains

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Denton, we understand how frustrating it can be for homeowners in Denton, TX to deal with a clogged drain deep in a pipe. No one wants to shower in a pool of soapy water or wash dishes in a sink that won't drain. Fortunately, our service professionals are here to answer the call in these situations with a fast response to clogged drains throughout your home. We offer upfront pricing with no surprise charges and thorough work to ensure your issue is cleared out on the first visit. Contact us for help today.

Mr. Rooter plumber working on a clogged drain under a sink

The Telltale Signs of a Clogged Drain

Most of the time, a drain will begin to show early signs of sludge, soap scum, or food building up in one of your drains before it fully clogs. These aren’t as concerning as sewer line backups because they usually only affect one drain. Still, they are a nuisance and should be dealt with immediately. Depending on the severity of the blockage, a single drain with buildup will cause:

  • Pools of water to form around a clogged shower drain
  • Water that backs up out of a sink drain
  • Slow drainage after using the faucet
  • A toilet that won’t flush
  • Foul smells coming out of the kitchen sink drain from stuck food

How to Clear a Clogged Drain With a Plunger

A homeowner with a plunger can often handle a routine clog in a single drain. When a bathtub drain is clogged, it might require using a snake, but most sink drains in your home can be cleared with this plunger method.

  • Remove the sink stopper from the drain hole
  • Plug the sink overflow hole with a wet rag
  • If you have a double sink, plunk one sink’s drain with a wet rag
  • Place the rubber cup of the plunger over the open drain hole
  • Turn on the faucet and allow water to fill the sink almost to the top of the rubber plunger cup
  • Quickly lift one side of the plunger to allow air and water to enter the drain, and immediately cover the drain hole again
  • With slight pressure, keep a tight seal around the base of the sink with the rubber cup and plunge up and down about a dozen times, completely lifting off the plunger on the final plunge
  • Repeat this until the clog is cleared
  • Flush the drain with hot water for a minute or two

Our Drain Clog Services

Our residential plumbing services include everything you need to keep your pipes flowing freely. Whether you have a clog that’s too large to budge or just too deep down the drain for a plunger to be effective, you can rely on us to handle the situation. Our services include:

  • Drain cleaning
  • Hydrojetting
  • Repairing AC drain lines that are clogged
  • Fixing clogged dishwasher drains
  • And more!

Steps to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains

Whether you’re tired of dealing with recurring clogged drains or you’ve never dealt with one and want to keep it that way, there are a few preventative measures every homeowner can take to minimize their occurrence. Clogs may not be avoidable altogether because of the debris and particles that get washed down the sink, but keep these tips in mind at home:

  • Garbage Disposal - If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, remember that not all items can go in it. Keep things like eggshells, coffee grounds, bones, oatmeal, and large amounts of rice and pasta out of it and put them in the trash instead.
  • Grease - Avoid excess amounts of oils and fats down the drain, as they will cling to the walls of your pipes and harden as they cool. Eventually, more will stick and narrow the path of the lines until it's ultimately blocked.
  • Clean Drains Regularly – Regular cleaning of drains is recommended. Avoid store-bought drain cleaners filled with chemicals. Use a home remedy of baking soda and white vinegar to break down buildup and kill foul odors in the drains.

Professional Residential Drain Clearing Services

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Denton is your source for reliable assistance for any clogged drain at home in Denton, TX. We're proud to offer an array of home plumbing services to provide peace of mind that you have a trusted resource to call whenever you need. Contact us to request an estimate today.

What Are the Most Common Residential Clogged Drains?

The most common clogged drains in homes are the kitchen drain, dishwasher drain, shower or bathtub drain, washing machine drain, and AC drain line. The most common causes are:

AC Drain Line Clogged

Your air conditioner drain line can get clogged by mold, mildew, algae, lime, and mineral deposits.

Clogged Dishwasher Drain

The dishwasher drain can get clogged with food particles and soap scum.

Clogged Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink drain is usually clogged with food particles, grease, oil, fat, dirt, and soap scum.

Clogged Shower Drain

A shower drain or bathtub drain gets clogged with hair, soap scum, and dirt or debris.

How Do You Clear a Clogged Drain Yourself?

Your method for clearing a clogged drain will depend on what the drain is clogged with, where the clog is located, how serious it is, and what type of drain is clogged. Here are some tips for how to clear a clogged drain yourself:

Clogged Shower Drain or Bathtub Drain

Clogged bathtubs and shower drains are often clogged with hair. You can try to plunge a bathtub or shower drain, but that rarely works to pull up hair and soap scum deep within the pipe. If plunging doesn’t work, put a drain snake through the shower or tub’s overflow opening and feed it into the drain system to break apart the clog or pull it back up through the hole.

Clogged Sink Drain

You might be able to use a plunger to clear a clogged sink drain. Cover the overflow hole with a rag or towel to increase the pressure as you plunge. If plunging doesn’t work, use a wire drain snake. Remove the pop-up stopper from the sink and advance the wire into the drain while turning the handle. This will break apart the clog and push it through the pipe. Run water through the pipe when done to make sure the clog gets completely flushed out.

Clogged Toilet

For a clogged toilet, you should start by using a toilet plunger. Place the plunger over the drain and slowly push it down to create a seal. Then, pull the plunger back up again quickly. Repeat this process until the clog comes back up through the drain, then break up the clog and flush the toilet. If a plunger doesn’t work, you can use a closet or toilet auger. This special tool is designed to go around the curves in the toilet’s drain. The auger can break apart the clog or pull it back up through the drain.

Can I Prevent a Clogged Drain?

Yes, you can prevent some types of drain clogs and reduce the risk of other types of clogged drains. Follow these tips from our team of professionals for preventing clogged drains:

  • Schedule annual plumbing inspections to catch issues early
  • Install a lint trap or lint catcher on your washing machine hose or the sink it drains into
  • Use an enzymatic or bacterial drain cleaner monthly
  • Don’t pour grease, oil, fat, cement, plaster, grout, joint compound, or paint down your drain
  • Install a hair catcher in your bathtub and shower drains
  • Clean out the pop-up stopper in your bathroom sink drain regularly
  • Do not let large pieces of food go down the drain
  • Flush your drains every month
  • Schedule annual drain cleaning services from our professionals
  • Don’t flush trash down your toilets
  • Call our team as soon as you notice signs of a slow drain

What Methods Do You Use to Clear Clogged Drains?

The method we use to clear your clogged drain will depend on the clog's location, cause, and extent. Our drain cleaning methods include:

Enzymatic Drain Cleaner

We can use our enzymatic drain cleaner to break apart clogs and kill dangerous bacteria safely. This drain cleaner keeps working and even prevents future clogs from forming, and it is safe for your pipes and the environment.

Rooter Work

We have a powerful mechanical drain rooter that can extend hundreds of feet into your drain. This machine breaks apart even the toughest, clogged drains deep in pipes. It can clear away dirt, debris, tree roots, scum, and other nasty buildups, pushing them down through the pipe to run clear again.

Hydro Jetting Services

HydroScrub® drain jetting is a superior method for clearing clogs. We use highly pressurized water to blast apart clogs caused by hair, soap scum, trash, grease, and other debris. This method can remove decades of buildup lining your pipes and flush them into the city’s sewer system.

When Should I Call a Professional to Fix Clogged Drains?

You should contact our team of professionals if you have a clogged drain, you can’t clear using a plunger, auger, or drain snake. Watch out for these signs of a clogged drain and call us right away to reduce the risk of damage caused by an overflow or backup:

  • Slow drains or standing water around drains
  • Backed up plumbing appliances
  • Drains that smell musty or moldy
  • Rodents or pests in your pipes
  • High water bills with no explanation
  • Multiple clogged drains or a clogged toilet and clogged sinks
  • Gurgling sounds or air bubbles coming from the drain
  • Toilets that overflow frequently
  • Flooding or puddles of water near plumbing fixtures
  • Water coming from a cleanout
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