Home Remedies for a Slow Draining Tub

AAA Drain Cleaning Slow Draining Bathtub tub

Is Your Bathtub Draining Slowly?

AAA Drain Cleaning Slow Draining Bathtub tub

A slow draining tub can be a major nuisance. Though a backed-up bathtub could be a sign of a larger plumbing problem, most blockages are quick fixes that you can resolve in no time. If your bathtub is draining slowly, try these home remedies:

  • Clear debris: When the time comes to alleviate the clog in your slow draining tub, the first step is to remove the drain cover and clear out any hair stuck in the drain. Sometimes this step is enough to clear the drain and get your tub working again.
  • Try an enzyme cleaner: Enzyme drain cleaners can be an effective way to clear clogs made of hair, mold, and other organic matter. Unlike chemical cleaners, enzyme drain cleaners only clear organic matter and do not cause damage to your plumbing system.
  • Use a plumbing snake: A plumbing snake is a long wire made of metal that is designed to “snake” through the drain and cut through any clogs. You can use this tool to remove blockages that are deeper in your drains.

Preventing Future Clogs

With so much daily use, it’s no wonder why bathtub drains become clogged. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to prevent backups in the future. Here are some ways to prevent a clogged bathtub drain:

  • Use a drain cover, and keep it clean
  • Don’t let sand, dirt, or debris down the drain
  • Schedule routine drain cleaning services
  • Know when to call an expert for help

Call AAA Drain Cleaning LLC for Professional Help

If after attempting all of the slow draining tub home remedies, your tub is still draining slowly, don’t hesitate to call the experts at AAA Drain Cleaning LLC! Do not risk damaging your pipes by trying other, harsher home remedies as that could end up costing you greatly in the future. Slow draining home remedies should be safe, easy, and cost-effective. Call us today to get your free estimate!

4 Tips To Stop Tree Roots From Penetrating Your Sewer or Main Line

tree roots plumbing by AAA Drain Cleaning Vancouver WA and Portland OR

Is your sewer system safe from tree roots?

For homes with trees either on or surrounding the property, tree root infestation on plumbing lines is a common and stressful problem. Tree roots have the tendency to penetrate plumbing lines, especially in older plumbing systems, causing significant and costly repairs. Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop tree roots from penetrating your sewer or main lines in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas. Before tree roots cause serious damage, there are measures you can take to protect your home’s sewer and main lines. A comprehensive sewer video inspection is encouraged before attempting any of the suggestions listed below. Keep reading for a general overview of four tactics that are effective in stopping sewer line root intrusion.

  • Mechanical Auger: Cracks in your sewer or main line are common occurrences, and typically are fine as long as tree roots do not grow out of control and collapse the pipe. Often times, tree roots will enter the cracks and begin to grow. Clearing your sewer and main line with a mechanical auger at the first sign of tree roots is effective in protecting the integrity of the sewer line. This is not a solution, however it is a relatively inexpensive way to prevent substantial damage to your sewer or main line. Regular mechanical auger cleanings may be necessary to prevent substantial damage to your home’s plumbing system.
  • Chemical Removal: Another effective method in addressing sewer line root intrusion is using copper sulfate crystals to kill off tree roots before they can grow and expa
  • Hydro Jetter: This method of clearing tree roots tends to cost a bit more than the first two options, however is extremely effectively and is usually followed by a chemical treatment. A hydro jetter is a machine that uses high pressured water to eliminate tree roots and other debris to clear pipes.
  • Manually removing tree roots: When you have troublesome tree roots, sometimes digging them up is the only way to effectively resolve the problem. Especially when clearing the roots can actually cause the pipes to collapse as they have grown so large they are essentially a part of the plumbing. This method is expensive and time consuming, however is guaranteed to resolve your problem once and for all.

Questions or Concerns About Roots?

If you are faced with sewer line root intrusion, you have options. Contact AAA Drain Cleaning for more information on how you can resolve your main line root problems quickly, and affordably. We look forward to serving you.

Clogged Kitchen Sink Again…Really?

clogged-kitchen-sink-aaa-drain-cleaning-gresham-or-portland-oregon

clogged-kitchen-sink-aaa-drain-cleaning-gresham-or-portland-oregonNo one wants to deal with a smelly, clogged kitchen sink drain. Kitchen drain clogs are a common and irritating part of day to day life, fortunately there are steps you can take for effective kitchen clogged sink prevention. Read on for clogged sink tips and clogged sink prevention methods for those in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas.

How to Prevent a Clogged Kitchen Sink

Your kitchen’s drain encounters food particles, grease, fat and much more on a regular basis. The regular use of your kitchen’s drain is likely to result in a clogged sink if precautions are not taken to avoid an obstruction. Below are clogged kitchen sink tips and clogged sink prevention methods to help ensure the integrity and functional usage of your kitchen drain.

  • Often times, grease is a major culprit in clogged kitchen drains. Avoid pouring grease down your drain and instead dispose of it through your garbage receptacle.
  • Refrain from disposing of coffee grounds down your kitchen sink. Toss your coffee grounds into the garbage.
  • Cease the use of chemical drain cleaners, for any of the drains in your home. These harsh chemicals are known to eat away at pipes and can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing system.
  • Utilize drain covers. Purchase a package of drain strainers and cover all of your drains. It is much easier to clean a drain cover than it is to clear a clogged drain.
  • Clean your kitchen drain weekly by pouring a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water down the drain and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
  • If your kitchen drain begins draining slowly, check the garbage disposal for a clog. Try running water and turning the garbage disposal on. If the garbage disposal emits a low humming noise, it is jammed. In this case, unplug the garbage disposal and turn the blades of the garbage disposal manually with a screwdriver.
  • If the garbage disposal does not appear to be clogged, then the clog is in the drain itself. To resolve the clog, fill your kitchen sink up ¼ full of water, put a cloth over the drain then use a plunger to slowly move the clog.
  • If the plunging technique fails, disassemble the trap under the sink and clear it out.
  • If the trap is already cleared, and your kitchen drain is still clogged, snake the drain with a plumber’s auger.

More Information about Clogged Kitchen Sinks

If none of the clogged kitchen sink drain prevention tips or clogged drain methods worked for you, it may be time to call in a professional. Small kitchen drain clogs should be easily cleared using the methods described above. Your inability to clear your kitchen drain clog could be an indication of a more severe issue that is best diagnosed by a professional.