Drain Cleaning in Riverside, CA

One drain or the whole house?

Start by noticing which fixtures are affected. A slow bathroom sink is often hair and soap at the stopper. A kitchen sink usually means grease and food solids. If the toilet gurgles when the washer drains, or water comes up in the tub when you flush, the blockage is probably in the main line, and you should stop using water until it is cleared.

Common causes in Riverside homes

• Mineral scale. RPU water averages about 12 grains per gallon of hardness, and scale can narrow older drain lines and catch debris.
• Aging pipe. The city's median home was built around 1976, and older core neighborhoods can have cast iron drains that roughen inside and snag waste.
• Tree roots. Mature landscaping can send roots into sewer lateral joints.
• Grease and wipes. Grease hardens in the line, and so-called flushable wipes do not break down.

How the clog gets cleared

1. Cable or snake. A rotating cable breaks through most fixture and branch clogs.
2. Hydro jetting. High-pressure water scours grease, scale and roots from the pipe walls, which is useful for repeat clogs.
3. Camera inspection. A camera shows whether the line is cracked, sagging or root-filled, so you know if more than cleaning is needed.

Skip harsh chemical drain openers. They seldom clear a main line clog and can harm older pipes and anyone who works on the drain afterward.

City sewer or private line?

The City of Riverside Public Works operates the wastewater collection system serving most of the city, while Western Municipal Water District handles a small portion. If neighbors also have backups, or sewage is overflowing from a street manhole, call Public Works at (951) 826-5311. A clog in your own drain lines is a job for a plumber.

What affects the price

• Which line is blocked and how far the clog is from an access point
• Whether a cleanout is accessible or a toilet must be pulled
• Cabling versus jetting, and whether a camera is used
• Time of day the work is done

Keeping drains clear

Scrape plates into the trash, use strainers in tubs and showers, and run plenty of water after using the disposal. If a line clogs again within months, ask for a camera inspection rather than repeated cabling.