Four Types of Drain Cleaning Equipment That Pros Use

Our professionals at Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. use state-of-the-art drain cleaning equipment. Call (847) 268-3553 to schedule a service.

Have you ever stopped to consider how important your drains are? Drains keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly, removing waste from your home and keeping you clean and safe. That’s why clogged drains are a serious problem, no matter what’s causing them.

Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co., Elgin’s reliable drain cleaning services, is here to explain the four types of drain cleaning equipment that professionals rely on. 

1. Camera Equipment

Drain-cleaning professionals often use specialized, high-tech cameras to improve their visibility while working on clogs. These small yet extremely powerful cameras can fit into any pipe, worming their way through your home’s sewer system. They shed light on parts of your plumbing system that you didn’t even think existed!

These tools are perfect for locating specific blockages, helping the experts identify and treat them. Your plumber can work more effectively and quickly when they have a good idea as to where and what is causing your problems. Even better, these cameras don’t cost much and come in all different shapes and sizes.

2. Augers

When it comes to drain cleaning tools, augers are a professional plumber’s go-to tool. These tools use long, stretched-out metal coils to locate and dislodge drainage clogs. The plumber extends the coil down a drain until it reaches a blockage, at which point it drills into the clog.

Augers work well in any setting, whether you need to fix a bathroom or a kitchen drain. They’re compact and easy to handle, making them an effective tool in any professional’s arsenal. Most modern augers also use a motor to simplify removing or breaking up blockages even simpler.

Paired with the right camera equipment, motorized augers can deal with almost any drain issue. However, sometimes, augers can’t do the job, which is where our next tool comes in.

3. Jetters

Hydro-jetters use pressurized water to clean out pipes from the inside. They’re perfect for removing all back-ups, like soap scum, rust, sewage, FOG (fats, oils, greases), and sediment deposits. Drain-cleaning professionals often use these tools when other tools, like plumber’s snakes and augers, won’t cut it. Plumbers often prefer jetters to chemical cleaners, as water doesn’t damage pipes or cause environmental issues. 

Unfortunately, like any other tool, jetters have their limitations. They can’t fix broken or ruptured pipes and may be unable to address extremely serious blockages. 

4. Pipe Relining

While the right drain cleaning equipment can go a long way toward fixing your home’s plumbing issues, sometimes, it’s not enough. In these situations, replacing one or more of your pipes might be the best solution. Although you might think that this replacement process requires digging up your plumbing system and replacing it piece by piece, there’s another solution drain cleaning professionals commonly use: pipe relining.

Modern pipe relining technology gives experts the ability to replace your home’s drain lines, all without excavating your old pipes. Essentially, they’ll work their way into your pipe, then use a pipe resin to seal off any cracks or ruptures. This repair process gives you a brand new pipe, restoring proper water flow and removing any blockages.

Signs of Drain Blockages

Drain blockages can strike at any time and for any reason. They’re more than just annoying; they can spike your water bill, cause flooding damage, and even make you sick from sewage buildup. So if you’re concerned that you’re experiencing drain blockages, ask yourself if you notice any of the following signs:

• High toilet water levels
• Foul drain odors
• Gurgling noises
• Sewage or water buildup
• Bad quality drains

Can I Fix Clogged Drains On My Own?

While some of these issues are symptoms of more severe problems, you can fix drain blockages on your own without having to call for professional help. Get yourself a pair of waterproof gloves that protect your hands from muck and filth, and you can just reach down into some drains and fix them yourself! A plunger or similar device often gets the job done for toilet problems.

Other common household tools you can use to address drain issues include coat hangers, chemicals like Drano or vinegar-based solutions, and a commercial plumber’s snake. Surprisingly, there are plenty of affordable drain-cleaning machines on the market for consumers, although they often fall short when dealing with particularly nasty blockages.

Professional drain cleaners use high-tech drain cleaning equipment for blockages located deep inside plumbing systems, as well as those resulting from tree root issues or corroded pipes. In some cases, systemic pipe failure resulting from poor installation or an overloaded network causes blockages that you simply can’t fix on your own. It’s these types of situations that call for expert help using expert tools.

Why Hire a Professional Plumber?

Although you can fix many plumbing problems on your own, sometimes, it’s best to call the experts. They can use their skills and specialized tools to identify and fix your plumbing issues much more quickly than you’d be able to otherwise, saving you precious time. Even better, professional plumbing services aren’t nearly as expensive as many people assume and can help you save money on water bills and potential repair costs in the long run.

With professional plumbers, you also get peace of mind. Unlike DIY cleaning jobs, which only temporarily resolve minor issues, a thorough, expert plumbing job uses professional-grade drain-cleaning equipment to protect your pipes for the long haul. Moreover, there’s nothing quality advice from professional plumbers, especially regarding caring for your septic system.

Quality Drain Cleaning Services

At Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co., we provide expert drain cleaning services in Elgin, IL. We only use the best drain cleaning equipment and can fix a bathtub drain plug or any other plumbing issue. Even better, we offer 24/7 emergency plumbing assistance, so you can count on us to be there whenever you need us.

Call the Advantage Plumbing & Sewer Co. team at (847) 268-3553 to schedule an appointment or get a free quote today!