Drain Cleaning in Chattanooga, TN

Clearing Chattanooga’s Clogged Drains

Drain clogs can be quite the nuisance. You may be tempted to tackle the clog yourself, but sometimes that’s not enough to fully eradicate the clog. At Pioneer Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electrical, we perform expert drain cleaning in Chattanooga, TN, to free you of stubborn blockages in your pipes. Our licensed plumbers use the latest techniques and tools in the industry to clear your drains fully, so you can rest easy. Reach out to us by phone or by filling out the online form on this website. You can schedule an appointment or ask us any questions you may have.

Signs You Need Drain Cleaning

As a homeowner, you may be unclear about the signs that let you know you should hire a professional plumber to tackle your clogged drain. Below we’ve listed out the symptoms your plumbing system may experience if you have a stubborn clog that requires professional attention:

• Drains Clog Frequently: If you’re trying to clear your drains but they continue to clog, you likely need a plumber to come in with special techniques like hydro jetting or expert drain snaking to resolve the issue.
• Pests Congregate Near Drain: Pests like flies or other insects gathering near your sinks and drains can mean there’s food or other waste inside clogging it up. The best solution is to call a professional.
• Basins Drain Slowly: When your basins for your sinks, showers, or tubs begin to empty much more slowly than usual, that can indicate a severe clog that needs assistance.
• Drains Make Strange Sounds: Hearing bubbling or gurgling during draining can indicate a particularly nasty blockage that’s best left to an expert.
• Drains Emit Bad Smell: Waste buildup inside your drain can begin to smell as it decays. Calling a professional will ensure the entire drain is cleared so the smell will disappear.
• Toilet Has Problems Flushing: Clogs in your pipes can have an effect on your toilet, causing it to overflow, not refill properly, or make weird noises.

Popular Drain Clearing Methods

There are three main ways drains can be cleared, however some work better than others. We’ve detailed which we use and recommend and which we do not.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is the most effective method we offer for drain cleaning in Chattanooga, TN. The way it works is we send highly pressurized water (up to 35,000 psi) through your drains and pipes. At this level of pressure, the blockage is entirely blasted through and removed, leaving behind a fully clear drain. No chemicals are involved, so it’s considered better for the environment than chemical drain cleaners that then enter the water supply. The only downside is that not all pipes are able to handle the pressure of hydro jetting. In those cases, we’ll recommend drain snaking.

Hydro jetting in Chattanooga is our go-to for grease-coated kitchen lines & root buildup. It works well especially for those drains that keep clogging even after snaking a few weeks prior. Instead of just punching a hole through the clog, hydro jetting actually blasts the whole width of the pipe, cleaning it out. We run a camera inspection first on those older clay/cast iron lines to make sure they can stand up to the pressure of the water.

Drain Snaking

In the cases we determine hydro jetting is not an option, our team will expertly wield a drain snake (long, flexible tool) with an auger (corkscrew-like tool) at the end. We’ll feed it into your drain into your pipes until the clog is reached. Once it hits resistance in the form of a clog, we’ll rotate the tool, which will break up the blockage. The auger will be used to grab the broken-up clog and pull it out of the drain, freeing you from the clog.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

While chemical drain cleaners are popular amongst homeowners because they can easily be bought at your local home improvement store, there are some downsides that make them a method we don’t widely recommend. Pouring too many chemicals down your drain can eventually damage your pipes, requiring costly repairs. Additionally, chemical drain cleaners are a more temporary fix, since they don’t always get rid of your full clog. This means your blockage may return more quickly. We recommend contacting a professional plumber like those at Pioneer for our more effective drain clearing services in Chattanooga.

What’s a Drain Camera Inspection?

During a drain camera inspection, our plumbers will send a waterproof camera down into your drain to visually inspect your pipes and pinpoint the exact location of your blockage. It’s usually the first step in our drain cleaning process. Seeing the pipes directly will alert us to any special circumstances including leaks or pipe damage that will also need to be addressed.

Who’s Responsible for a Clogged Sewer Line in Chattanooga?

For most Chattanoogans, the homeowner’s responsibility is with their sewer lateral. That’s the pipe that runs from your house to the street. When inside the city limits, the City of Chattanooga maintains the main. In a lot of the rest of Hamilton County, the main’s maintained by Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA), which also runs a private service lateral program for homeowner lines in its service area. In short, for the most part, a clog between your house and the main’s usually your responsibility.

If the camera shows any roots, cracks, or even collapsed sections, we’ll walk you through the next steps, including rooter service, sewer line repair, and trenchless sewer line repair.

Schedule Drain Cleaning

When you need drain cleaning in Chattanooga, TN, reach out to our team at Pioneer. Our plumbing specialists will clear your drains completely. We’ll assess the condition of your pipes and determine whether your pipes can handle hydro jetting or if drain snaking is the better choice. To get in touch with us, give us a call or provide us with your information in our online contact form.

Drain Cleaning FAQs for Chattanooga Homeowners

How often should I have my drains cleaned?

Most homes really only need drain cleaning when there’s a problem. If you’re in an older home with those older clay/cast iron pipes, you might want to schedule a yearly drain cleaning to keep those roots in check, especially if you’ve been battling them over the years. All after inspections and what we subsequently find, that is.

How long does drain cleaning take?

If you have a single clogged sink or tub, that’ll take about an hour. But if you’re looking at a main line clog, root removal, and hydro jetting, you can expect one to three hours. Of course, that all depends on the length of the line and how much buildup there is.

Why do my drains back up after a heavy rain?

This is pretty common; storm water can easily find its way into your cracked sewer lines and overload a line that’s already blocked somewhat. Noticing your drains gurgling every time it rains hard? A quality camera inspection from the Pioneer crew can help shed a light on what’s going on below.

Do I need a camera inspection before drain cleaning?

Not every time. We do recommend one for repeat clogs, main line backups, older homes, and before we do any hydro jetting. It’s great because it takes all the guesswork out and can help us tailor our drain cleaning plan to the condition of your pipes.