At Allstar Plumbing, many of the calls that we receive from clients are in regards to a drainage problem in the bathroom shower or toilet. These high-use areas not only handle most of the waste water generated in your home, but they also capture debris that plugs the small pipes.
Signs of a clogged drain include:
- Water backing up out of a sink drain
- Water pooling around shower drains
- Water draining slowly
- Toilet water that bubbles when running the sink
- Gurgling sounds coming from drains
- Pools of water forming on the floor by the bathtub
- A smell of rotting food coming from the kitchen sink
Soap scum and hair are the biggest contributors to clogged shower and sink drains. Soap residue sticks to the sides of the pipes, capturing dirt and forming hair “nests”, making the drain opening narrower over time. There are ways to help prevent, or at least prolong, these issues from occurring. For example, a strainer in the shower drain will help to keep most materials from getting into the pipes. Cleaning the pop-up stoppers in the sink on a regular basis to remove the hair that gets wrapped around it is another helpful hint. Also, make sure to never flush paper towels or wipes as these materials do not dissolve in the same way as toilet paper.
Before calling a plumber, try these drain-clearing methods:
- Turn on the faucet and fill the sink halfway with water
- If you have a double kitchen sink, plug one of the drains with a rag; if it’s a bath sink, plug the overflow hole
- Work the plunger up and down several times, then pull it off, repeating a few times
For toilet clogs, make sure to use a flange plunger for better results. It’s also recommended to not use chemical drain cleaners, as they can be extremely harsh and cause corrosion to your pipes.
When you can’t avoid or fix the problem yourself, call Allstar Plumbing. You can expect a quick response, the best value for your dollar, and years of experience from our plumbers in San Jose. With our fast 24-hour service, free estimates, and a warranty that backs our work, you can rest assured that Allstar Plumbing can care of all your bathroom plumbing issues, and more.
