Drain Cleaning Service in Pasadena

For years, our locally owned and operated business has been a trusted name in the community, providing reliable and trustworthy drain cleaning services. With nearly a century of experience, we have maintained an impeccable reputation. You can have complete peace of mind in our work, as our company is fully licensed, insured, and bonded. Our team is made up of experienced, diligent, and principled individuals eager to surpass our customers' expectations. Whether you're in need of commercial, emergency, or residential drain cleaning, we are eager to assist you. Don't hesitate to reach out to us today and allow us to add you to our growing list of loyal and satisfied customers!

All Star Plumbing responded quickly to unclog my drain. Great Service, fair Price.
Bernice B. Avatar
Bernice B.
10/06/2011

Drain Cleaning Tips and Facts

What is hydro jetting?

A special hose is utilized during hydro jetting to drive high-pressure water through a plumbing system. When you choose this non-invasive procedure, our initial step involves inspecting the lines using a camera to detect any damage that could impede the use of hydro jetting for clearing the clog. If no damage is found, we’ll continue with your hydro jetting service by inserting the hose and connecting it to a professional water tank. We must carefully identify an optimal location to insert the hose before we begin this process.

Leveraging our exceptionally sturdy hose, the force of gravity, and high water pressure, we initiate the process of flushing debris from the system by directing a flow of 20 gallons per minute through a combination of forward-facing and numerous backward-facing jets that propel the nozzle along, effectively clearing obstructions. Hydro jetting goes beyond mere clog removal - it thoroughly eliminates tree roots, grease, mineral scale, and a wide range of debris types that could potentially cause future problems. When faced with a deep-seated clog, your trustworthy plumbing company will likely recommend this approach.

What are the different types of hydro jetting heads?

Plumbers use many different hydro jetting head types, and each one serves its own unique purpose. Your drain cleaning contractor will methodically select which heads to use for your hydro jetting service, depending on the severity and nature of the debris and/or clogs we locate during our inspection.

Warthog Heads: These are the embodiment of bringing out the heavy artillery. They spin at high speeds to eliminate the toughest and most stubborn clogs. Nevertheless, the unmatched power of this head can lead to plumbing damage if not used correctly. When you reach out to us for drain cleaning service, we’ll give you full peace of mind that your hydro jetting service will be administered with precision and care.

Grease Heads: These are specifically intended for removing grease. They feature a rotating nozzle that sprays water perpendicularly to the head, effectively removing stubborn, adhered grease as it moves through the pipeline. Since their cleaning action is limited to the pipe walls and does not address clogs before or after the head, it is a common practice to use another cleaning head in sequence to achieve the best results.

The Leader: This is a versatile nozzle employed by our experts to address challenging and hard-to-reach areas such as P-traps, pipe bends, corners, or vertical drops. As it navigates through these intricate spaces and moves along the pipes, the line follows the movement of the head.

Penetrator Heads: These adopt an aggressive strategy, combining a highly powerful forward jet with rear-facing jets. The forward jet works to power through soft plugs and pierce a hole in them. When the head is pushed out of the pipe, the blockage follows. These heads are highly effective for clearing blockages in both directions.

Ice Heads: These attack ice dams by forcefully breaking through the ice. The pointed heads are an efficient technique to melt and clear ice by utilizing forward and backward-facing jets, a sharp tip, and hot water.

How can homeowners prevent clogged drains?

Don’t use harsh chemicals.

Chemical drain cleaners are recognized for their high acidity. While they may seem effective at times, what remains hidden is the potential corrosion they can leave in your plumbing system. Consistent use of harsh drain cleaners can, in fact, lead to blockages by promoting the accumulation of corrosion. If you're facing a clogged drain, it's time to contact us for professional drain cleaning. Consider more natural options when selecting household cleaners. Cleaning chemicals can cause significant damage to plumbing and can also be harmful to your health. Baking soda and vinegar are both extremely powerful and versatile cleaning solutions, making them an excellent choice for cleaning your home. There are also numerous effective and safe cleaning products on the market, so consider giving those a shot.

Use a mesh drain strainer.

Mesh strainers provide an uncomplicated and budget-friendly solution to preventing food and other debris from entering your drain. Setting them up is quick, and regular emptying will help maintain the cleanliness of your drain and pipes.

Harness the power of simple, affordable kitchen staples - vinegar and baking soda.

Thanks to its odor-absorbing, cleaning, and freshening properties, baking soda is a smart choice for cleaning kitchen sinks and drains. Make a habit of routinely sprinkling baking soda down the drain and rinsing with hot water. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is an organic solvent that naturally cleans, deodorizes, and clears buildup of food particles in your household plumbing. On a weekly basis, pour one cup of vinegar into the drain, allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with hot water. You can affordably and easily keep your drains clean using this simple method. Combine two cups of vinegar with one cup of baking soda, then pour this potent mixture into the drain, where the dynamic ingredients will work to clean and freshen. After approximately 15 minutes of fizzing action, thoroughly rinse the drain with hot water.

Know how to properly use your garbage disposal.

Garbage disposals are not the same as garbage cans, despite their possibly misleading name. Garbage disposals are easily clogged, resulting in costly and messy issues. Garbage disposals are convenient, but certain items should never go near them. Don't throw any of the following foods, substances, and products down the garbage disposal:

  • Eggshells
  • Bones
  • Paper Products
  • Meat
  • Chemicals
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Paint
  • Rice
  • Fibrous Vegetable or Fruit Peels
  • Pasta

Turn on your cold water faucet while using the garbage disposal and for about one minute afterward. This allows food particles to fully flush through the pipes, helps you avoid odors, and helps with the grinding process.

Keep grease far from your sink.

Grease and frying oils are plumbing's worst enemies. Grease and oil can harden, adhere to other substances, and ultimately form large, difficult clogs. Rather than throwing these substances down the drain, collect them in a glass jar or can and place them in your garbage can.

Don’t put food scraps down your kitchen drain.

Being mindful of what goes down your drains is a vital step toward preventing clogs. Make it a practice to scrape food crumbs into your garbage can before rinsing dishes.

Rinse kitchen drains regularly with hot water.

Adopt the practice of running hot water each time you finish using your kitchen sink, which will prevent clogs by pushing soap, tiny bits of food, and other substances down the drain. If you experience clogs frequently, it’s also a good idea to pour very hot water down your drain every week to keep buildup to a minimum.

Common Causes of Drain Clogs

Drain clogs can vary in severity, potentially leading to complex repairs, corrosion, backups, and other frustrating issues. Some common sources of drain clogs include:

  • Cotton Swabs: These never disintegrate, causing fixture backups and extreme clogs.
  • Dental Floss, Hair, and Stringy Materials: These can tangle, clump together, and form blockages.
  • Toys: Foreign objects flushed by little ones can quickly clog or damage pipes.
  • Vegetable and Fruit Peels or Rinds: These can cause disposal blades to get stuck and lead to substantial damage.
  • Kitty Litter: Even "flushable" types can wreak havoc on plumbing, causing obstructions and additional health concerns.
  • Starches (Rice, Pasta, etc.) or Fibrous Foods: These can expand, become sticky, and trap other particles, causing a pipe clog.
  • Feminine Products: These are not designed to degrade when flushed, leading to extensive clogs.
  • Fats, Oil, and Grease: These cool down, solidify inside plumbing, and cause tough, severe plugs.
  • Cosmetic Towelettes and Wipes: Even "flushable" wipes can accumulate and create blockages.
  • Eggshells: When they make their way into drains, garbage disposals, or pipes, they produce minute waste that clings to sludge and forms stubborn clogs.

Types of Drain Clogs

Hard Plugs

Debris or an object that blocks the pipe causes a hard clog. Examples include tree roots, mineral buildup, or foreign objects flushed, leading to serious damage. Professional assistance, like hydro jetting, is required to remove hard plugs and restore proper plumbing function.

Soft Plugs

A soft plug develops gradually, often caused by substances like grease, tissue paper, or baby wipes. Hydro jetting is the most efficient method for clearing a soft clog, as it thoroughly removes accumulated material obstructing the pipeline.

Signs of a Clogged Drain

If you notice the following signs, you may need help from a drain cleaning service:

  • Pests in pipes
  • Overflowing or clogged toilet(s)
  • Water rising from drains after toilet is flushed
  • Odors of mustiness or sewage
  • Rising water bills (due to inefficiency)
  • Sewage in your sewer cleanout
  • Air bubbles or gurgling noises
  • Standing water
  • Slow draining sink(s)
  • Clogs that don’t easily clear with a plunger
  • Water backing up in plumbing fixtures (sink, tub, etc.)