Drain Clogs in Kansas City

What causes slow and clogged drains

Bathroom sinks clog from hair, soap and toothpaste building up in the pop-up stopper and the trap. Tubs and showers collect hair in the first few feet of drain. Kitchen sinks clog from grease, coffee grounds and food scraps, even with a disposal. Most of these clogs are close to the fixture, which is why they can be cleared without cutting into anything.

• Water draining slowly or standing in the sink or tub
• Gurgling when the drain empties
• Bad smells from the drain
• A pop-up stopper that won't open or close
• Water backing up in more than one fixture at once

When the clog is in the main line

If more than one fixture is backing up at the same time, or water comes up in a floor drain or the lowest tub in the house, the clog is probably in the main sewer line rather than at the fixture. That takes sewer equipment and a different approach than a sink clog. Text us what you're seeing and we'll tell you honestly what it needs.

How we clear a clog

We start at the fixture. We pull and clean the pop-up stopper or hair catcher, then take apart and clean the trap. If the clog is further down, we run a drain snake through the line rather than pouring chemicals, which can damage older pipes and splash back on whoever works on the drain next. Afterward we run water to confirm it drains fully, check the trap connections for leaks, and can install a hair catcher so the problem doesn't come right back.

Keeping drains clear

Hair catchers in showers and tubs prevent most bathroom clogs. In the kitchen, wipe greasy pans into the trash before washing them, and keep coffee grounds and rice out of the disposal. Running hot water after each use helps keep buildup moving.