How we clear your drains
We start by running a snake or hydro jetter through the line to break up the clog. If it’s a kitchen sink, it’s often grease buildup; in showers, it’s hair. For stubborn clogs, we use a camera to spot cracks, offsets, or roots. In older Charleston homes with clay pipes, we avoid aggressive snaking—those pipes can crack. If the cleanout’s buried, we’ll dig it up carefully. Once the line’s clear, we flush it to check for slow spots.
Charleston’s drain issues
Our old live oaks send roots into sewer lines, especially in historic districts. If your house is on a slab, a slow drain might mean roots under the foundation. Salt air can corrode older metal pipes, and high groundwater here means backups happen faster. We see a lot of cast iron pipes downtown that are rusting from the inside out. If your drain gurgles or smells, it’s often a venting issue—common in Charleston’s tight-packed roof lines.
When to call us out
Call if multiple drains slow down at once—that’s usually a main line clog. If your toilet bubbles when the sink drains, or sewage backs into the tub, don’t wait. For a single slow sink, try a plunger first. When we arrive, we’ll check the cleanout first (if accessible), then run water to see where it’s backing up. If you’ve had plumbers out before for the same clog, ask us to camera the line this time.
Questions about drain cleaning
Why does my drain keep clogging?
If it’s the same drain, there’s likely buildup the snake isn’t fully clearing—like grease coating the pipe walls. In older homes, pipes can bellied (sagged) or have roots poking through joints. Downtown, we often find cast iron pipes flaking rust inside that catches debris. Ask us to camera the line next time—we’ll show you where the problem starts so we can fix it for good.
Can tree roots really break pipes?
Yes, especially here. Live oak roots seek moisture and can squeeze into hairline cracks in clay or old cast iron pipes. Over years, they grow and widen gaps, blocking the line. If you have big trees near your sewer line, we recommend a camera check every few years. Small roots can often be jetted out, but thick ones may need cutting—we’ll show you before we start.
What’s that smell from my shower drain?
Usually it’s stagnant water trapped in the P-trap because the drain’s slow. But if the smell comes and goes, or you hear gurgling, your vent stack might be blocked—common in Charleston’s older roofs where vents get packed with leaves or bird nests. We’ll check the roof vent first; if that’s clear, we’ll camera the drain line for breaks letting sewer gas through.