Drain Services: Clearing or Cleaning?

A clogged drain can happen in the home or commercial properties like restaurants. It happens often and for many reasons. Read more here about the items that can cause a clogged drain.

A clogged drain shows up in multiple ways (smelly drain, water beneath the toilet), but the primary sign is water draining slowly in the sink, bathtub or shower. How do you fix a clogged drain? How do you know if you need a cleaning or CLEARING? What’s the difference between the two? Let us explain.

Drain clearing involves the removal of clogs that are obstructing water flow. These clogs may include hair, soap scum, food particles and other debris. Drain clearing, also known as drain unclogging, is an easy fix to this problem. You either take on this task as a do-it-yourself project or call a plumber to just get the water down.

Plumbers who offer this service usually “poke a hole” in the blockage instead of cleaning it. The problem doesn’t go away, but it gets the job done temporarily, so other options such as drain cleaning, drain repair, or hydro jetting can be discussed.

Drain cleaning involves a more thorough cleaning of your entire drainage system. This includes removing built-up residue and debris from the walls of your pipes, as well as flushing out any remaining clog-causing materials.

If you have had a drain cleaning and the clogged drain persists, hydro jetting is the next step in getting rid of those stubborn clogs and preventing more from occurring. Hydro jetting involves using high-pressure water streams to dislodge and remove any blockages or debris from the inside of the drain or pipe. works by creating a high-pressure water stream that is directed through a special nozzle into the drain or pipe. The pressure of the water can range from 3,000 to 8,000 pounds per square inch (psi), which is strong enough to break down and remove any clogs or buildup. Hydro jetting is environmentally friendly, reaches farther into the plumbing system to promote a through clean, and prevents future clogs.

L.D. Smith Plumbing’s hydro jetting service includes the latest equipment to remove debris as stubborn as tree roots up to two inches thick. Watch the video below to learn more about our services.