Clogged Drains Fort Worth, TX

We can't say for sure what caused the blockage in your pipe without examining it, but it is probably the result of debris being improperly disposed of down the drain. Your wastewater lines are only really meant to handle water, while your toilet can flush water, human waste, and toilet paper. Anything else is a clog waiting to happen.

Small children tend to be fascinated by drains and flushing toilets, so they will often force items into your sewer lines out of curiosity—but before you blame the kids, remember that adults are also guilty of washing stuff into pipes that don’t belong. Typically, unsuspecting homeowners will rinse liquid fat, oil, and grease (FOG) down their sinks and toilets, where it quickly solidifies and clings to the walls of the pipe. Then, anything that follows it down the drain gets caught up in the FOG and partially or completely blocks off the flow of water, hence clogged drains. Fort Worth plumbers are likely to identify many items and substances during their discovery, including:

• Food scraps
• Hair
• Soap scum
• Paper towels, other paper products
• Feminine hygiene products
• Personal items: jewelry, small toys
• Trash: bottle caps, razor blades
• Plastic wrappers
• Q-tips
• Cigarette buds

Another culprit to blame is hard water deposits, which have led to multiple plumbing issues throughout Fort Worth. Hard water means that there are dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the water that comes out of your faucet. It's safe to drink, but it causes big problems for your plumbing system. Texas, in general, has some of the hardest water in the country, and Fort Worth is no exception. Over time, the minerals build up inside your pipes and form hard, calcified masses that just get bigger the more you use your fixtures until there may only be a pinhole left for the water to move through. Flushing your hot water heater and considering a water softener installation could reduce the risks of clogged drains. Fort Worth’s licensed plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing can answer any questions you may have. We’ll go above and beyond to meet your expectations, so you’ll get peace of mind knowing that experts have provided you with dependable services to restore your home’s pipework.

Not sure if you need to call a Fort Worth plumber or can handle your clog by yourself? Here are a few DIY steps to try before you call Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

1. Make sure you are using the correct plungers. A cup-shaped plunger is for flat drains in sinks, showers, and bathtubs, while a toilet plunger is ball- or bell-shaped with a flange on the bottom. 
2. Partially fill the sink or tub with water. If you are plunging one side of a double sink, block the other drain with a rag. If it's a bathroom sink, block the overflow hole.
3. Place the cup of the plunger over the drain, then push the plunger down and pull it back up (go slowly at first to avoid splashing).
4. Plunge, plunge, plunge. It can take quite a bit of effort to loosen a clog, so keep at it.
5. If you don't get any results and the water doesn't begin to drain, the situation is probably beyond the scope of a plunger. Give our experienced plumber a call, and we'll make sure your pipes and drains are clean as a whistle.

Pro Tip: A drain auger is another option that you may try since it has a flexible cable that reaches beyond the p-trap. While it may be able to break through a tough clog, we recommend using it with care, as you can easily cause damage to your pipe walls. Fort Worth plumbers will likely use a professional mechanical auger to dislodge the blockage.

Fort Worth homeowners may think of the saying that goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best way to prevent Fort Worth clogged drains is regular maintenance, which can include annual HydroScrub® jetting to clear debris out of your sewer lines before it has a chance to accumulate and cause trouble.

You've probably heard of that old trick of using baking soda and white vinegar to clear out a drain. Unfortunately, it's not as effective as some people try to make it sound. It's true that baking soda and vinegar will cause an explosive reaction in a closed environment like a capped bottle, but your pipe isn't closed, so the gas will just escape without having much impact, and you'll have added more substances to your clog. And before you ask, cola is just as ineffective. Harsh chemical drain cleaners can make a difference, but they can also corrode the inside of your pipes and cause serious damage if they are used too often. When in doubt, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

Fort Worth homeowners who have tried plunging and given it some good elbow grease, but that clog just won't clear out — or they did manage to get the drain unclogged, but it happened again soon after — then that needs professional attention. Our Fort Worth plumbers have the right tools and technology to find out exactly what's happening and eliminate the drain issue with a long-lasting solution.