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What Are the Most Common Drain Clog Issues in Keller?
There are several reasons for drain problems, and most of them have something to do with clogs. If you are experiencing issues with your drains, it is likely due to one of these common issues we see in Keller.
Slow Draining Showers and Sinks
One of the most common issues we see resulting in drain cleaning in Keller is water not draining fast enough. The problem and reason for slow draining is inside the plumbing. Sometimes it is due to a narrowing of the pipes, and other times, it is due to a full blockage. Here are the most common reasons you have slow drains.
- Biofilm Build Up: If you have biofilm built up in your pipes, you need drain cleaning. This is a thick and sometimes goo-like layer of bacteria. The germs that you wash off your body, hands, and pets can grow inside your drains. If this happens, it can narrow the pipes and start to smell. Biofilm sometimes has a pink color to it.
- Hard Water Buildup: The city water is considered hard, which means that there are excess minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. These minerals create a residue on the inside of the lines, thickening over time. When pipes become too narrow, they will need to be cleaned or replaced. Regular drain cleaning in Keller can prevent this buildup from getting out of hand.
- Oil, Fat, and Grease Buildup: Some people think that because cooking oil and grease are liquid when hot, they will go down the drain like other liquids. This is not true. Fats, oil, and grease should never go down the drain. As cold water hits the oil, it hardens it, causing partial and complete blockages.
- Hair and Soap Build Up: You lose a lot of hair in the shower. Over time, this hair and soap residue grows inside your pipes and drains. Sometimes, this clog is close to the drain, and you can pull it out; other times, you will need drain cleaning in Keller.
There are some things you can do to prevent slow drains. You can buy a good drain catcher to grab your hair before going down the drain. Make sure you throw your cooking grease and oil in the trash. If hard water is your biggest problem, consider getting a reverse osmosis system.
Foul Smells from Drains
If your drains are giving off a foul smell, you could use a drain cleaning in Keller. This problem isn’t just embarrassing; it could make some people sick. The smell may be coming from the main sewer drain, which means it might be gas. You can try pouring water down the drain for a minute or two. If the smell is gone, the problem was likely due to lack of use. If the odor stays, you’ll need it checked out.
Overflowing Toilets
Nothing can ruin your weekend like a clogged or overflowing toilet. If the blockage is minor, you can try using a plunger. This will usually work, but if it continues to happen, it may be due to built-up limescale inside the toilet catching the debris you are flushing. It could also be that you are flushing things down the toilet that should not be flushed. The EPA recommends that you only flush toilet paper. Here are some things that we regularly see causing clogged toilets.
- Feminine products
- Condoms
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Paper towels
- Wipes of any kind
- Dead fish
- Kitty litter
- Cigarettes
Toilet paper was designed to break down in your plumbing system. Everything else should go in the trash. If you have any small children or a toddler, you should baby-proof the toilet. We often find toys and clothes after snaking toilets and drain cleaning in Keller.
Foreign Debris
It’s not uncommon for us to find foreign debris in pipes during drain cleaning. This could be anything from stray cotton swabs to diamond rings. Yes, real diamonds. Sometimes it can be blamed on kids. Other times, it is plain bad luck. If you think you may have lost anything important down the drain, turn off the faucet and give us a call. We can pull valuable items out the same way we pull out the gross stuff.
How Much Does Drain Cleaning Usually Cost in Keller?
The average cost for drain cleaning in Keller is between $85 and $745. However, this is just an estimate based on past jobs. It does not include more complicated blockages that need complete pipe replacement, which can be several thousand dollars. If you need an accurate quote based on your drain problems, we can help. Here are some cost factors that may increase your bill.
Simple Clog and Cleaning
If you need drain cleaning in Keller due to a simple clog, it won’t break the bank. You can expect to pay in the range of $85 to $420. This price will reflect the cost of coming out to inspect and clean the drain. By simple clog, we are talking about a blockage near the drain’s surface and is easy to remove. This will make cleaning the drain fast, saving you money.
Some examples of simple drain cleaning are removing hair and soap buildup, quickly snaking the toilet, pulling out the problem, and flushing a kitchen sink to remove a foul smell.
Deep Clog and Cleaning
Sometimes the problem isn’t simple. If you need drain cleaning in Keller and the issue is further down the line, it will increase the price. On average, you can expect to pay $95 to $745 for snaking hard blockages or hydro jetting.
For example, if your shower fills up with water instead of draining, there could be a blockage in the main sewer line. This could happen if a tree’s roots penetrate your pipe, looking for water. It doesn’t take long for a thirsty tree to grow a giant tangle of roots, effectively blocking the flow of wastewater. If this is your problem, we can try hydro jetting the mainline.
This is a good choice and usually opens it up again. However, if the pipe is too damaged or it’s collapsed, you will likely need to replace that section. We’re not going to lie, this is very costly, and many homeowners don’t have an extra $5,000+ laying around. However, this is the only line that removes your home’s wastewater and sewer, so it will need to be dealt with.
Labor and Equipment
Another cost factor for drain cleaning in Keller is labor and equipment. This cost will be determined based on what the initial inspection turns up. If the job is complicated, it will cost more.
If you need emergency drain cleaning because your only toilet won’t flush, it will cost more. Unfortunately, most plumbing problems seem to occur during the evening, weekends, and holidays. We swear this is not planned. It happens to be the times that people are home, using the plumbing. Emergency services will always cost more than scheduled plumbing jobs.
The equipment needed to do the job will also determine the price you pay. For example, if a backhoe is required to dig up your front yard, the cost will increase. On the other hand, if all you need is 15 minutes of hydro jetting, you will pay way less.
Does the City of Keller Provide Any Assistance for Clogged Drains?
If you need drain cleaning in Keller because of clogged drains, the city will not help. According to city ordinances, homeowners are responsible for any plumbing problems on their side of the property, this includes drains inside and outside the house. Unfortunately, that means that if your main sewer line collapses due to age or invading roots, you will need to cover the costs.
If the clog is further than your property line on the city’s side, they will come out and fix it. They are responsible for any damage or blockages between the property and the street.
Do Certain Water Contaminants in Keller Cause Drain Clogs?
As we mentioned earlier, Keller has hard water. The water hardness can be as high as 160 parts per million or ppm in some areas of the city. This means there are excess minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium, floating around. These dissolved solids attach to the inside of the pipes, causing limescale buildup.
Over time, the residue thickens and narrows the line. This can cause water pressure problems, and if a chunk of the deposit breaks loose, it can damage and clog the pipe. Regular drain cleaning can reduce the amount of mineral buildup, reducing the chance of damage later.
Who Is the Water Utility Company in Keller?
If you have any problem with your water quality or think there is a clog on the city’s side, you will need to contact Keller Water and Sewer. They are the utility company run by the city that handles your public water. If you contact them about a problem, they may apply a service charge to your monthly bill. However, if they come out to inspect the problem and find that it is their responsibility, they will not charge you for the inspection.
If they decide that the clog or drain problem is not on their end, we can help. We have seen every kind of plumbing problem, and we have experience with drain cleaning in Keller.
