If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have plungers and chemical drain cleaners on hand to clear minor clogs. However, there are many situations where those products won’t offer an appropriate solution. In some instances, they can even do more harm than good. That’s when it’s time to call in a professional plumber to clean your drains. Our plumbers have a range of tools at their disposal to make short work of any clogged drain. Here are some signs to watch for that indicate when it’s time to abandon DIY drain-cleaning solutions.

Multiple Slow Drains

When you notice one of your home’s drains running slowly, you may want to reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Before you do, however, check whether that drain is the only one affected. You may find that multiple drains in your home have similar problems. If so, you can pour as many bottles of drain cleaner into your drain as you wish, and it won’t help.

Multiple slow drains indicate an obstruction deep in your plumbing system. More often than not, it results from a clogged or otherwise damaged sewer line. Conventional drain-cleaning products won’t solve that problem. They will, however, damage your drainpipes over time due to the caustic substances they contain.

To solve your problem, you’ll need a camera inspection to find the exact location of the clog causing the issue. After seeing the composition of the clog up close, our plumber will be able to recommend the right solution. Certain types of clogs call for conventional motorized augers. For example, localized clogs composed of semi-solid matter call for an auger. Hydro-jetting is a better idea in other cases, such as when you’re dealing with grease clogs. Hydro-jetting also offers an excellent solution for scale buildup — if that’s what’s slowing down your drains. Either way, we’ll resolve your clogged drain in Colorado completely without damaging your plumbing.

A Recurring Clog in One Drain

One problem homeowners often run into with clogs is a drain that keeps clogging repeatedly. Each time they use a plunger or chemical drain cleaner to get things moving again, the problem recurs. Most often, it happens because of a buildup along the walls of the drainpipe. That can create the perfect uneven surface to encourage subsequent clog formation. While a plunger or chemical drain cleaner may partially resolve the issue, neither will alleviate its cause.

Professional drain cleaning methods, like hydro-jetting, scour the inside of your pipes. That removes all the buildup and residue that can contribute to future clogs. In fact, hydro-jetting makes the perfect preventive treatment for your home’s drains. If you schedule preemptive drain cleaning in Loveland each year, you can prevent clogs from forming in the first place.

Slow Flushing Toilets

Another sign of serious drain issues in your home is slow flushing toilets. They’re also beyond the capabilities of the average DIY enthusiast. So, if you’ve tried a plunger and it isn’t solving the problem, it’s time to call in a professional. It’s important to remember that you can’t use a normal drain snake on a toilet. If you do, you could scratch the porcelain inside the bowl, with no way to repair it. You can’t use conventional chemical drain cleaners in a toilet, either. They can do permanent harm to your toilet. You should also consider that your slow toilet may be due to a clog elsewhere in your plumbing. Our plumbers can find the precise cause of your issue and resolve it safely and quickly.

Persistent Drain Odors

Under normal circumstances, your drains should never have an odor. If they do, it’s a clear indication that there’s a serious problem. Smelly drains almost always indicate the presence of decaying biological matter. It can come from food scraps that went down your kitchen sink drain and became trapped elsewhere. Or it can come from excessive grease buildup. In the worst-case scenario, a smelly drain may indicate that an animal has died inside your drainage system. In any of those cases, you won’t be able to resolve the issue on your own. And it can point to a problem that poses a serious health risk to your home’s occupants. Our plumbers can locate the source of the smell and remove it immediately.

Sudden Appearance of Fruit Flies

Often, unusual smells coming from your drain will occur along with a sudden appearance of fruit flies. Sometimes, you’ll notice the pests long before you notice the smell. It’s another indication that something’s decaying inside your drainage system. Fruit flies will congregate around drain openings because they’re attracted to decaying matter. If it happens in your kitchen, you may need your kitchen sink’s P-trap cleaned out. If it happens elsewhere, it’s a good indicator of a clog somewhere deeper in your drain lines. Before the problem worsens into a backed-up drain or drains, you should call us for help. Our plumber will identify what’s luring the flies and clean it out immediately.

Gurgling Sounds

If you ever hear gurgling sounds coming from a drain, it indicates gases trapped in your drainpipes. Sometimes, the symptom will be your first indication of a clog beginning to form. It may appear long before you notice slow drains or any other obvious symptoms. It can happen if the clog traps air within it, creating a break point in the water flow. The sound comes as the water passing through the drain pushes through the air pocket.

Gurgling sounds can also indicate a blockage of your home’s drain vent. If you’re unfamiliar with drain vents, you’re not alone. Homeowners often don’t realize their home has one. If you look up at your home’s roofline, you may notice a small pipe protruding from it. That pipe is your drain vent. Its job is to provide a place for sewer gases to escape through rather than have them come back up through your drains. If anything obstructs your home’s drain vent, gases will build up in your pipes. It will soon result in that gurgling sound. A blocked drain vent is a serious problem that demands the urgent attention of one of our plumbers.

Your Local Drain Cleaning Experts

Since 2007, Mountain Valley Plumbing has been the go-to plumber that Loveland, CO, homeowners trust with their drains. Our team of highly trained plumbers has over 15 years of local experience, and it shows. We offer comprehensive drain-cleaning options and plumbing repair services to suit any need. They include motorized drain snaking, hydro-jetting, and eco-friendly enzymatic drain treatments. We also provide camera inspections so there’s no guesswork about the best way to solve your drain problems. You can even call on us for emergency drain cleaning services. Our plumbers will arrive quickly and prioritize sparing your home from unnecessary damage caused by your drain issue. Check out our reviews section to see what your neighbors think about us. And when your drains need professional cleaning in Loveland, call Mountain Valley Plumbing immediately!