Frequently Asked Questions
About Drain Cleaning in North Vancouver

Your drains remain in operation all day long. You use them for tasks such as showering, washing dishes and using the washing machine. Over time, grime, muck and countless other types of waste can build up in your drains. Regularly cleaning them has countless benefits such as:

• Optimizes the functioning of your drains

• Extend the life of your drains

• Eliminates foul odours

• Saves money on repairs and replacement

Failing to clean your drains, on the other hand, will lead to a bunch of issues such as repeated clogging and drain damage. If you'd like to schedule a drain cleaning appointment with us, get in touch.

As a general rule, you should get your sewer lines cleaned once every 18-22 months. Doing so is a preventative measure that guards your drains against damage. It is also a good idea to schedule an inspection and cleaning if your drain is clogging.

In some cases, it might not be easy to tell whether your drain requires cleaning. Some common signs that point towards the need for a drain clean are:

• There are odd noises in your pipes.

• There is raw sewage in your yard.

• There is leakage in areas of your home, such as your basement.

• There is a foul odour on your property.

• Your drains are unusually slow.

The easiest way to avoid clogging your drains is to NEVER rinse fat or cooking oil down the kitchen sink. Fats will solidify as they cool, trapping loose particles and allowing them to build up until you have a blockage. To prevent clogs in drains in the bathroom, fit all tub and shower drains with a strainer in order to catch hair, soap chips and other material, and clean the strainer regularly.

Commercial drain cleaners are alright for a minor clog, but we recommend that they never be used on a drain that is completely closed. These products contain caustic ingredients that will sit in your pipes at the location of the clog and slowly eat away at the interior. This can cause severe damage. Call a plumbing professional to safely clear a stopped-up drain.

It’s surprising how much money a small leak from your toilet tank into the bowl can cost over time. If you suspect a leak, simply put a few drops of food colouring into the toilet tank and check the bowl after ten minutes or so. If the colour is present in your bowl, you’ve got a leak.

It is sometimes possible to insert an Allen wrench at the bottom of your disposer and clear a jam by cranking it. If this attempt fails, the disposer should not be used. Operating a jammed garbage disposal can damage the motor, or even affect your home electrical system. P Murray Contractors Ltd. is usually able to clear a jammed disposer, but if we can’t it will probably need to be replaced.

A number of things can lower the water pressure in your home, including a malfunctioning or partially-closed shut-off valve, a crimp or blockage in the waterline, or a buildup of deposits in older galvanized pipes. If your neighbours are not experiencing the same pressure loss, the problem is probably located between the water meter and your home. A call to P Murray Contractors Ltd. will identify the problem and our technician will explain your options and provide you with a free estimate of repair costs.

The first indication that you have a broken water line might be an alarmingly high water bill, but you should also watch for standing water in your yard and listen for the sound of running water when no faucets or appliances are using water. If you suspect you have a broken water line, don’t delay. Call P Murray Contractors Ltd. at 604-988-0671 for a free inspection and estimate of costs.

Roots from trees and shrubs will enter even the smallest opening in a sewer pipe and develop hair-like masses of root systems at each point of entry. These masses trap toilet tissue, grease, and other detritus from your drains that will continue to build up until the pipe is completely blocked. And because roots continue growing if they are not treated, they will expand until they break the pipe, which will then need to be repaired or replaced. P Murray Contractors Ltd. can usually clear roots from a sewer line by snaking the line to create an opening and then adding chemicals that will kill any roots that remain.