Drain cleaning: the short answer
One slow sink or tub is usually a local clog a plumber can clear with a drain snake. Several drains backing up at once, gurgling toilets or water rising in a basement floor drain point to the main line, which is more urgent. Skip harsh chemical drain openers, which can damage older pipes and make the job riskier for whoever clears it next. Call (207) 555-0163 to speak with a local plumber in the Portland area.
Which drain is giving you trouble?
- Kitchen sink: usually grease, food scraps and coffee grounds.
- Bathroom sink, tub or shower: usually hair and soap.
- Toilet: too much paper, or things that shouldn't be flushed. See toilet repair.
- Laundry standpipe: lint, or a drain too small for the washer's flow.
- Basement floor drain: often the first place a main line backup shows.
For other problems, see our overview of plumbing services in Portland.
One drain or all of them?
| What you notice | Likely cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| One fixture drains slowly | A clog in that fixture's trap or branch line | Book a visit |
| Toilet gurgles when the sink drains | A partial blockage downstream or a venting problem | Soon |
| Several fixtures back up at once | A main line blockage | Same day |
| Sewage in a floor drain or tub | Main line blocked or damaged | Call now |
If it's the main line, read sewer line repair.
How urgent is it?
Stop using water if more than one drain is backing up.
Every flush or shower adds to the backup. Hold off on laundry, dishes and showers until a plumber has cleared the line. Sewage on the floor is a health hazard, so keep kids and pets away.
How plumbers clear drains
- Plunger or hand auger for simple sink, tub and toilet clogs.
- Drum machine with a cable that cuts through grease, hair and roots in longer runs.
- Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour grease and buildup off the pipe walls.
- Camera inspection shows what caused the clog: grease, roots, a sag or a broken section.
Older drain lines in Portland homes
With so many homes built before 1940, plenty of Portland drain lines are original or close to it. Older homes may have cast iron or clay drain pipes, which can rust, crack or let roots in at the joints, and decades of patches can leave odd slopes and fittings. If the same drain keeps clogging, a camera inspection is usually worth it before paying for another cleaning. See plumbing in older Portland homes.
What not to put down the drain
- grease, fat and cooking oil, which harden in cold pipes
- coffee grounds and large amounts of food scraps
- wipes of any kind, including ones labeled flushable
- paper towels, cotton swabs and feminine products
What happens during a drain cleaning visit
Questions and a look
Which drains are slow, for how long, and whether anything has been tried already.
Access
Through the fixture, its trap or a cleanout on the line.
Clear the line
With the right cable size or jetter for the pipe.
Test and advise
Run water to confirm it drains, and recommend a camera inspection if the clog keeps coming back.
What affects the cost
- Which line: a sink branch costs less than a main line.
- Access: an accessible cleanout makes it quicker; pulling a toilet adds time.
- Method: hydro jetting and camera inspections cost more than a simple snake.
- Timing: after-hours calls usually cost more.
See the plumbing cost guide.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Will you run a camera if this clog has come back before?
- Where is the cleanout, and will you use it?
- Do you recommend jetting, and why?
- Is there a warranty if the drain clogs again soon?
What to have ready when you call
- which drains are slow or backed up, and whether it's one or several
- whether anything has been poured or pushed down the drain already
- whether you know where the cleanout is
- how old the home is