Drain Cleaning in Annapolis, MD
Guardian Plumbing Services, Inc. is a full-service plumber in Maryland. We provide drain cleaning in Annapolis, MD, all of Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing contractor with over 30 years of experience cleaning sewers and clogged drains.
Services for Residential and Commercial Drain Cleaning in Annapolis, MD
Clean pipes are one of the most important parts of proper plumbing. Over time, things can begin to build up, causing many issues, including slow water flow. If your pipes are draining slowly or not at all, we can help you get your plumbing back to normal with our drain cleaning equipment.
We have drain cleaning machines that can clear up the toughest clogs quickly. Our video inspection equipment allows us to get a clear view of the problem and its location, allowing us to offer a faster, more cost-effective service.
Avoiding a clogged drain is nearly impossible. No matter how hard you try, things end up where they shouldn’t be. Call us for those accidental moments of a toilet clog mishap, nasty hair clogs in the shower drain, and smelly food waste clogging the kitchen sink.
While it may be tempting to DIY, if a stubborn clog in your drain is present, it is best to let a licensed and insured plumber handle it. A professional drain cleaning will get the job done right.
Causes of Clogged Drains
There are several reasons why drains get clogged, and it often depends on the location of the drain.
- Kitchen Sinks Kitchen sinks are prone to clogs due to the types of materials that are washed down the drain. Food scraps, grease, and oils can stick to the pipes and build up over time, leading to a blockage. Coffee grounds, eggshells, and starchy foods like pasta and rice can also contribute to clogs.
- Bathroom Drains In the bathroom, hair is the main culprit for clogged drains. When hair combines with soap scum, it can form a thick mass that blocks water from flowing properly. Toothpaste, shaving cream, and other personal care products can add to the problem.
- Toilets Toilets often become clogged when non-flushable items are thrown in. Items like baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and too much toilet paper can block the pipes, causing the toilet to back up. Even “flushable” wipes can cause clogs because they don’t break down as easily as toilet paper.
- Outdoor Drains Outdoor drains, such as gutters and storm drains, can become clogged with leaves, dirt, and other debris. This can lead to flooding during heavy rains and create more serious problems if not addressed quickly.
Signs of a Clogged Drain
Clogged drains often show clear warning signs before they become completely blocked. Catching these signs early can prevent more severe plumbing issues later.
- Slow Draining Water: If water takes longer than usual to drain from your sink, tub, or shower, this is a classic sign of a clog forming.
- Gurgling Noises: Hearing strange gurgling sounds from your drains when water is running can mean there’s a blockage.
- Unpleasant Odors: Foul smells from your drains are another common sign of a clog. This happens when trapped debris begins to decompose, sending an unpleasant odor back up the drain.
- Water Backing Up: If water starts to back up into the sink, shower, or tub, the drain is completely blocked and needs immediate attention.
Preventing Clogged Drains
Preventing clogs in the first place is always easier than dealing with them later. Following a few simple tips can reduce the risk of clogs in your home.
- Use Drain Covers: Place mesh drain covers or screens over your drains to catch hair, food particles, and other debris. This will help keep solid materials from going down the drain and forming a clog.
- Dispose of Grease Properly: Never pour cooking grease or oil down the kitchen sink. Instead, let it cool, throw it in the trash, or put it in a container to dispose of it properly.
- Watch What You Flush: Only flush toilet paper and human waste. Avoid flushing wipes, feminine hygiene products, and other non-flushable items.
- Regular Maintenance: Run hot water down your drains regularly, especially after washing greasy dishes. You can also use baking soda and vinegar monthly to help keep pipes clean.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
While many clogged drains can be fixed with DIY methods, some situations require a professional plumber’s help. Here are a few signs it’s time to bring in an expert:
- Frequent Clogs: If you constantly encounter clogs, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, such as tree roots invading your pipes or a damaged sewer line. A plumber can assess the situation and fix it for good.
- Water Damage: If you notice water leaking from your pipes or stains on your walls or ceilings, this could indicate a serious clog that needs professional attention.
- Sewage Backup: If sewage is backing up into your sinks, toilets, or showers, this is an emergency. Call a plumber right away to avoid further damage to your home.
Comparable Plumbing Services in Annapolis, MD
In addition to our drain cleaning service, we offer hydro-jet service to remove buildup from inside the pipes. Our drain cleaning service is available as a stand-alone service or with our Homeowner Protection Plan.
This bi-annual inspection and service allows us to thoroughly check your system to check for lurking problems.
Hydro-Jet Service: This is the process of using a flow of high-pressure water to clean the inside surface of a pipe, clearing away anything that may build up over time and cause a clog. While hydrojetting is great for clearing backups and clogged lines, it is more useful to use hydrojetting as a preventive measure to avoid those costly backups.
Homeowner Protection Plan: The best way to avoid plumbing issues is to prevent them. We offer this protection plan to save you time and money from a hidden disaster. Our protection plan provides a complete, once-a-year inspection to look for hidden problems and reduce the need for emergency plumbing repairs.
Listen to what our customers have to say
“It seems that if something is going to go wrong, it will happen at the least opportune time. And so it goes for churches as well. Parkwood United Methodist Church has had several of those surprise plumbing problems that could have potentially required us to close our doors until they were repaired. However, with the quick response and professional work of Guardian Plumbing, we have never had to do that! Each time we have had an emergency, they have been able to make the necessary repairs so that we could open our doors and worship God, with thanksgiving.”
—Parkwood United Methodist Church
24-Hour Rapid Plumbing Response Guarantee
It is random when a major clogged drain can disrupt your life. It could force a business to shut its doors or leave a homeowner with smelly, unusable pipes. This is why we offer a 24-hour rapid response.
We are available to fix the problem 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. When you call Guardian Plumbing Services, Inc. for drain cleaning in Annapolis, MD, no matter what time of day or night, a live person will answer the phone. We will take your information and dispatch a plumber as soon as possible.
Clogged Drains FAQs
How do I know if my sink is clogged?
There are several signs that your sink has a clog. The most obvious sign is that it will not drain at all or is very slow to drain. Bad odors coming from the drain might also indicate that something is stuck in there. Additionally, if your drain is making strange noises, you need to call us so we can unclog it.
Why does my bathroom drain keep getting clogged?
It is not uncommon for bathtub or shower drains to get clogged often. Dirt, skin residue, and hair will bind to soap scum and will combine to create gunk. Then, it binds to the walls of the pipes without trouble. Sooner or later, water will be unable to pass through the pipes. The showertub or bathtub will begin to back up. If this is a common problem, we can fix it!
How do I prevent my bathtub from clogging?
Keeping your drains clear of debris can be tricky, but you can do a few things to prevent it. In your shower, we suggest buying a cover for the drain (often called a hair catcher) that will collect large debris like clumps of hair. After each use, you should clean it out to prevent it from going down the drain. This may not stop all of it, but it will surely stop most of it.
How do I prevent my kitchen sink from clogging?
Keeping your kitchen sink from clogging can be tricky. It is the most common cause of major backups in homes. There are a few basic things you should do to prevent it. If you have a garbage disposal, you must use it correctly. We highly suggest following the directions from the disposal manufacturers. Not disposing of certain items will save you much time and money with a clogged kitchen sink. Also, you should never dump grease down the sink or use harsh cleaners. Use a mesh or metal drain strainer to catch all debris while washing dishes.