Plumbing · Whitecourt, AB

Drain Cleaning & Clogged Drains in Whitecourt, AB

Slow sinks, gurgling drains, a tub that won’t empty or a smell you can’t get rid of. Here’s what those signs usually mean, what’s safe to try first, and when it’s time to call.

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Warning signs

Signs your drain needs attention

A slow drain rarely fixes itself. It usually gets worse until it stops completely.

Water drains slowly
A sink or tub that takes minutes to empty usually has buildup partway down the pipe: hair, soap scum or grease.
Gurgling sounds
Gurgling from a drain or toilet when water runs somewhere else can mean air is being pulled past a partial blockage, or a venting problem.
Smells that keep coming back
Food, grease and hair that sit in a pipe start to smell. If it returns after you clean the drain cover, the buildup is further down.
More than one drain is slow
If the floor drain, tub and toilet are all slow at once, the problem is likely in the main line, not one fixture.
Water comes up somewhere else
Water rising in the tub when you flush, or at the floor drain when the washer empties, points to a blockage below both.
Clogs keep returning
Plunging works for a day or two, then it’s slow again. That usually means the clog was moved, not removed.

When to call

Call a professional, or check it yourself?

Call a professional when…

More than one drain is slow or backing up at the same time
Dirty water is coming up through a floor drain
The clog comes back within days of clearing it
Plunging and cleaning the drain cover made no difference
Water is leaking from a drain pipe or joint

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Safe to check yourself

Pull the stopper or hair catcher and clean out what’s caught there
Use a cup plunger on sinks and tubs (cover the overflow hole first)
Use a flange plunger on toilets
Run hot water down the kitchen sink after washing up to keep grease moving

Don’t mix chemical drain cleaners, and tell the plumber if you’ve used one. They can damage some pipes and splash on whoever opens the drain next.

What to expect

How it usually gets fixed

Every job is different. This is the usual order of things.

Find where it’s blocked. Which drains are affected says a lot. One slow sink is usually a local clog; several fixtures at once points to the main line.
Clear the blockage. Usually by cleaning out the trap or running a drain auger (snake) through the line to break up and pull out the buildup.
Look at the cause. Grease, hair, wipes, roots or a damaged section of pipe each need a different fix.
Test the drain. Run water through the line to make sure it drains at full speed.
Prevent the next one. Knowing what caused it is the best way to keep it from coming back.

Repair or replace

Clear the clog, or repair the pipe?

Cleaning usually solves it when…

The clog is in one fixture or its trap
It’s ordinary buildup like hair, soap or grease
The drain runs normally once it’s cleared

A pipe repair may be needed when…

The same line keeps clogging even after it’s cleaned
There’s a leak, crack or sag in the drain pipe
Water shows up in the wrong place whenever the drain runs

Why call DCJ

A local Whitecourt business

Locally owned and operated Based in Whitecourt, Alberta.
Close by Serving Whitecourt and the Barrhead area.
Real work to show See photos from DCJ jobs in the recent work gallery.

FAQ

Drain Cleaning & Clogged Drains: common questions

Why does my drain keep clogging?

Usually because the buildup was pushed further down rather than removed, or because something keeps going down that shouldn’t: grease in the kitchen sink, hair in the shower, wipes in the toilet. A drain that clogs again and again can also have a sag or damaged section that catches debris. If it keeps happening, it’s worth having the line checked.

Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?

They can work on minor clogs, but they’re harsh on some pipe materials and dangerous if they splash. If one hasn’t worked, don’t add more or mix products, and tell the plumber what’s in the drain before they open it.

What shouldn’t go down the drain?

Grease and cooking oil, coffee grounds, “flushable” wipes, paper towels, dental floss and hair are the usual culprits. In the toilet, only toilet paper.

Why does my basement floor drain back up?

A floor drain that backs up when the washer empties or a toilet flushes usually points to a blockage in the main line below the floor. Stop running water in the house and call before it gets worse.

How much does drain cleaning cost?

It depends on where the blockage is and what’s causing it. Call 780-779-1481 and describe what’s happening to talk through what’s involved.

Related services

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Need help with drain cleaning in Whitecourt?

Call DCJ to talk it through, or send a quote request online.