How to know which drain - Speedy Drain Pros

The ABCs of drain clearing or cleaning

It can often be tricky to know the difference between having a drain cleared or a drain cleaned. Both are professional options and have proven methods yet are very different procedures. Let’s review both solutions in detail…

0 Understanding the difference between the two is critical so you can determine which method will best serve your needs

However, if you still aren’t sure which service will work best for your drain problem, our SPEEDY DRAIN PROS experienced technician will be able to analyze your specific situation and provide the best options to solve the problem.

Clearing: when to snake?

When your drain is clogged with hair, paper materials, toys or other objects, causing it to backed up, snaking is most likely the best method for clearing.

The snaking method clears your drain by threading a long cable with cutter blades affixed to the end of the cable down the drain until it reaches the stoppage. The snaking machine’s rotates the cable and the blade, cutting into and dislodges the stoppage, providing clear access and flow throughout the drain system.

An additional benefit of snaking is that it may provide awareness of a more significant issue such as tree roots in the line as well as broken or collapsed lines.

Cleaning: when to Hydro-Jet?

Hydro jetting is a process that uses a high pressure pump and hose affixed to a specialized nozzle that shoots high pressured water into the drain to thoroughly scrub and flush out years of buildup. When you need to clean your main drain (also called a sewer line), hydro jetting often proves to be the best option. If snaking drains (blocked by years of build up from tree roots, grease, minerals, etc.) hasn’t solved the problem, then a high pressure flush is most likely what your drain needs. Hydro jetting is also the best method of cutting, removing and flushing tree roots from main sewers. The snaking method can cut through roots to open sewers but will not remove the debris from the sewer. Another benefit of hydro jetting is its effects last much longer than the traditional snaking. Since hydro jetting scrubs your sewer pipes clean rather than simply unclogging a stoppage, the result of those clean pipes have a much longer lifespan than snaking.

So which one is better?

Sometimes you can tell which method is needed, yet most of the time it may be difficult to determine. An experienced SPEEDY DRAIN PROS Tech can evaluate the problem and recommend the best solution. We understand knowing if your drain needs snaking or hydro jetting can be tricky. As always, when in doubt, it is best to seek the advice and counsel of a professional.