Drain Cleaning, Snaking, Hydro Jetting, and Camera Inspection Services
Full Nelson clears clogged drains and restores proper flow using professional-grade equipment. Our licensed plumbers diagnose the cause of the blockage, select the right cleaning method for the pipe material and clog type, and verify flow after the work is done.
Kitchen Drain Cleaning
Kitchen drains handle grease, food particles, soap, and organic waste every day. Over time, fats and oils coat the interior walls of the pipe and harden, narrowing the opening and trapping solid debris. The result is water that pools in the sink or drains noticeably slower than it should.
Common causes of kitchen drain clogs include:
- Grease and cooking oil buildup
- Food scraps that pass through the disposal
- Soap residue combining with grease to form blockages
- Starch and coffee grounds that expand and stick to pipe walls
Full Nelson uses motorized drain augers to break through kitchen clogs and restore full drainage. For lines with heavy grease accumulation, hydro jetting scours the interior pipe walls with high-pressure water, removing buildup that snaking alone leaves behind.
Bathroom Drain Cleaning
Bathroom sinks, showers, and tub drains clog differently than kitchen drains. Hair is the primary culprit, combining with soap scum and toothpaste residue to form dense blockages in the P-trap and beyond. Shower drains are especially prone to buildup because hair wraps around the drain crossbars and creates a net that catches everything else passing through.
Common causes of bathroom drain clogs include:
- Hair accumulation in the trap and drainpipe
- Soap scum and mineral deposit buildup
- Small objects (caps, razors, jewelry) that fall into the drain
- Biofilm buildup on pipe walls that slows water flow
Our plumbers clear bathroom drains using cable machines sized appropriately for the pipe diameter. Smaller secondary lines require different tooling than a 3-inch or 4-inch main stack, and using the wrong size cable risks damaging the pipe or failing to clear the blockage.
Floor Drain Cleaning
Floor drains in basements, laundry rooms, and garages serve as the last line of defense against water damage. These drains connect to the main sewer line and can back up when the main line is partially blocked. Sediment, lint from washing machines, and debris that washes in from the garage all contribute to floor drain clogs.
A floor drain that backs up during heavy rain or when multiple fixtures are in use may indicate a problem further downstream in the main sewer line rather than at the floor drain itself. Full Nelson diagnoses whether the issue is local to the floor drain or a symptom of a main line problem before starting any work.
Main Sewer Line Cleaning
Every drain in your home connects to a single main sewer line that carries waste to the municipal system. When this line clogs or partially blocks, it affects multiple fixtures at once. Toilets may gurgle when the washing machine drains. Water may back up through the lowest floor drain in the house. Sewage odors may come from drains that are otherwise flowing.
Signs of a main sewer line clog include:
- Multiple drains backing up at the same time
- Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains
- Water backing up in floor drains when using other fixtures
- Sewage odors coming from drains
- Wet spots or unusually green patches in the yard near the sewer line
Full Nelson clears main line blockages using heavy-duty cable machines and hydro jetting equipment. For recurring main line problems, we recommend a sewer camera inspection to identify the root cause, which may include tree root infiltration, pipe offset, bellied pipe, or line collapse.
Drain Cleaning Methods
Not every clog calls for the same approach. The right method depends on the pipe material, diameter, location of the blockage, and what is causing it.
-
Snaking and Cable Machines
A motorized drain auger, also called a snake or rooter, feeds a flexible steel cable into the drainpipe. The rotating cable cuts through or breaks apart the clog, allowing water to flow again. Snaking works well for most residential clogs caused by hair, soap, paper products, or soft organic buildup.
Cable machines come in different sizes. A small hand-fed snake handles sink and tub drains. Larger drum machines with 3/4-inch or 7/8-inch cables tackle main line blockages. Matching the right cable size and cutting head to the pipe is important. An undersized cable will not clear the blockage. An oversized cable can crack older clay or cast iron pipes.
-
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure water nozzle inserted into the drain line. Water pressure typically ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 PSI depending on the pipe size and condition. The nozzle has forward-facing jets that break apart the clog and rear-facing jets that scour the pipe walls as the hose is pulled back.
Hydro jetting is the more thorough option. Where snaking punches through a clog and clears a path, jetting removes the buildup from the entire pipe wall. This is particularly effective for grease-clogged kitchen lines, pipes with mineral scale, and main sewer lines with recurring root infiltration.
Full Nelson always inspects the pipe condition before hydro jetting. High-pressure water can damage pipes that are already cracked, corroded, or structurally compromised. A video camera inspection confirms the pipe can handle the pressure safely.
-
Video Camera Inspection
A waterproof camera attached to a flexible rod is fed into the drain line, transmitting real-time footage to a monitor. This allows the plumber to see exactly what is causing the problem, where the blockage is located, and what condition the pipe is in.
Camera inspection is especially useful for:
- Recurring clogs that keep coming back after cleaning
- Main sewer line problems where the cause is not obvious
- Pre-purchase home inspections to check the condition of underground sewer lines
- Verifying that a cleaning was successful and the line is fully clear
Full Nelson shows you the camera footage and explains what we find before recommending any repairs.
Common Signs You Need Drain Cleaning
Drains rarely fail without warning. Most clogs develop gradually and show signs well before a full backup occurs.
- Water drains slowly from sinks, tubs, or showers
- Gurgling or bubbling sounds when water drains
- Unpleasant odors coming from drains
- Water backs up in one fixture when another is used
- Fruit flies or drain flies gathering near sinks
- Standing water in the shower during use
- Toilet water level rises higher than normal when flushed
Addressing slow drains early prevents full blockages, water damage, and the more expensive repairs that come with sewage backups.
Why Full Nelson
- Family, Women, and Veteran owned since 2003
- Licensed, insured plumbers
- Up-front pricing before work begins
- 24/7 emergency drain service
- Snaking, hydro jetting, and video camera inspection capabilities
- Total Home Care Club members receive natural enzyme drain treatments and flow checks during annual visits