Clogged drains and backed up toilets are the top reason NYC homeowners call for 24 hour emergency plumbing service. When the toilet stops working, there’s not much you can do – it’s not like you can opt out of going to the bathroom! The internet is full of advice on how to fix a toilet clog yourself, but the internet’s not always right. You can pour the better part of a bottle of dish detergent into your toilet bowl and nine times out of ten, all you’re going to get for your trouble is bubbles!
That’s because not all drain clogs are alike. As your NYC plumber, I can assure you of this from first hand experience. Kitchen drain clogs are most often caused by grease and food debris. This happens when people are washing their dishes and just send everything down the drain. Even if you have a garbage disposal, grease is tough on drain pipes: it solidifies and forms an impossible barrier that means your sink won’t drain. Very minor grease clogs can be resolved by pouring hot water down the drain, but if the clog is of a significant size, this won’t work.
When we move into the bathroom, we run into the issue of bathtub and shower clogs. These clogs are most often caused by hair accumulating in the drain pipe. Soap residue, body washes, and other hygiene items can also cling to the hair that’s gotten stuck in the drain, resulting in a very stubborn clog. Hair based clogs are very difficult to resolve: if you haven’t had any luck working with liquid drain cleaner, a call to your 24 hour emergency plumbing service is your best bet.
Finally, there are toilet clogs. Toilet clogs are most often formed by inappropriately flushed objects. Small children and poorly mannered guests put all kinds of things down the toilet, including hand towels, diapers, hygiene products, and more. If you can’t free the clog with your plunger fairly easily, the job’s going to need the attention of a professional plumber. They will snake out the line, dislodging the clog so you can use your toilet again!
