If you’re washing dishes in the sink, or enjoying a hot shower, and you notice that the water is starting to pool around the drain – you’ve got a clogged drain on your hands. You know that you need to avoid putting oil, hair, or bacon grease down the drain, but accidents happen. It’s best to repair this issue as soon as possible. If you don’t, you could run into several problems, like:
- Broken pipes. If your drain is clogged, but water keeps piling on top of it, you could end up with a leaking or broken pipe.
- Unpleasant odors. There’s no missing the smell of a clogged drain. As water and waste sit in your pipes, the smell rises up and into your home. If you smell something funky in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged drain could be to blame.
- A water line backup. If you have backed-up sewage in your home, your household members could be exposed to bacteria and viruses.
Given these risks, you want to find the right company to take care of this draining issue. Keep the following tips in mind when searching for a drain cleaning company:
What Tools Do They Use?
One of the most common plumbing emergencies is a clogged drain. You’ll know you have one if your water starts draining slowly, or you hear strange sounds coming from your pipes.
But with a clogged drain, it’s almost impossible to see the cause of your problem from the outside of the pipe. To get a closer look, the plumber will first need to clean the pipe. Next, they’ll send a long cable with a camera inside the drain. With video inspection technology, technicians can get a closer look at the issue to identify any blockage or pipe damage. Without these tools, how can they determine what kind of clog they’re dealing with?
A plumber can’t unclog your drain if they lack the proper tools. Be sure to inquire about the type of equipment that they use to solve drain problems.
How Many Years of Experience Do They Have?
When it comes to clogged drains, there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. You’d be surprised at all the unusual issues plumbers find when they peer into a drain.
A new drain cleaning technician might lack the expertise that’s required for this type of work. They may misdiagnose the issue or even make things worse.
But an experienced plumber has seen it all. They’ll know exactly what they’re doing during the cleaning—it won’t be guesswork. A business that’s been around for years will have plumbers with the necessary training, credentials, and proper licenses to get the job done right.
Read Their Online Reviews
If you ask any plumbing company about the quality of their service, they’ll tell you it’s top-notch. But what are their customers saying?
A great way to find out is by reading online reviews. Look up a few of the drain inspection companies that you have in mind, and see what people are saying on Google, Yelp, or plumbing directories.
You can find out information that you wouldn’t have known otherwise, like:
- Do they include hidden fees in the final bill?
- How are their customer service skills?
- Was the issue fixed properly?
When you’re shopping for a plumbing company, you might look for multiple bids on your job. But even if one business offers a lower price, the savings won’t be worth it if they can’t actually solve your problem. By checking online reviews, you can find a company that knows what they’re doing.
Do They Provide Emergency Service?
A plumbing problem rarely happens at a convenient time. If your incident occurs outside of business hours and the company doesn’t offer emergency service, you might be stuck waiting until the next day.
A prompt repair can minimize any water damage to your home. Look for a plumbing company that offers 24/7 service so that you’ll be covered in case of an emergency.
Not all drain cleaning companies are created equally. When unclogging a drain, some might end up doing more harm than good. If you put the research in and shop around, you can find one that delivers on its promises.