← Drainage ServicesBLOCKED • BACKING UP • NOT DRAINING
Clogged Drain Services in British Columbia
When water stops draining or starts backing up, the blockage needs to be located and cleared. Proflow provides clogged drain service for homes and businesses across British Columbia.
MORE THAN ONE DRAIN?
Multiple affected fixtures can point to a problem farther
down the drainage system.
START WITH WHAT THE WATER IS DOING
One clogged drain or a bigger drainage problem?
Where the symptoms appear can help narrow down where the restriction may be located.
01One Fixture
A single affected sink, shower or other fixture may indicate a restriction close to that fixture or within its branch drain.
02Recurring Clog
If the same drain repeatedly blocks, material may remain inside the line or another condition may be contributing.
03Several Fixtures
Multiple drains slowing or backing up can indicate a restriction farther into the property’s drainage system.
INSIDE THE PIPE
What actually causes a drain to clog?
A clogged drain occurs when material or an obstruction restricts the path wastewater normally follows through the drainage piping. The cause can vary depending on which drain is affected.
GREASE
Fats and oils can coat kitchen drainage piping and collect other material.
HAIR
Hair can collect with soap residue inside bathroom drains and shower drains.
DEBRIS
Food particles and other material can accumulate and restrict flow.
OBSTRUCTION
Foreign material or a deeper restriction can prevent wastewater from moving normally.
READING THE SYMPTOMS
A clogged drain doesn’t always start with standing water.
01
Slow Drainage
Water taking longer to disappear can be an early sign that the available opening inside the drain is becoming restricted.
02
Standing Water
Water remaining in a sink, shower or other fixture can indicate that flow through the drain is severely restricted.
03
Water Backing Up
Wastewater appearing where it should not can indicate that it cannot move normally through part of the drainage system.
04
Gurgling
Unusual drain sounds can occur when air and water movement through the drainage system is being disrupted.
05
Recurring Blockages
A drain that repeatedly clogs may need more than another temporary opening through the obstruction.
CLEARING VS CLEANING
Getting through the clog may only be part of the job.
A blockage and the buildup contributing to it are related, but they are not always exactly the same problem.
Clearing a clogged drain focuses on restoring an opening so water can move again. Depending on the condition of the line, more thorough drain cleaning may be appropriate when significant buildup or recurring restrictions are present.
Learn about professional drain cleaning →HOW WE APPROACH IT
Find the restriction. Restore the flow.
01
Identify the Symptoms
Determine which fixture or drains are affected and whether the problem is isolated or widespread.
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02
Assess the Restriction
Consider where the blockage is likely occurring and the appropriate way to access the affected drainage line.
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03
Clear the Drain
Use an appropriate method for the type and location of restriction rather than treating every clog the same way.
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04
Test the Flow
Check drainage after service and determine whether recurring symptoms justify further investigation.
WHEN IT MAY BE DEEPER
What if several drains are clogged at once?
If a single sink is affected, the restriction may be relatively close to that fixture. When several fixtures begin draining poorly or backing up around the same time, the restriction may be located in drainage piping shared by those fixtures.
In recurring or unclear situations, a drain camera inspection may be useful to understand what is happening deeper inside the system.
FIXTURE
Sink / Shower / Tub
BRANCH
Shared Drain Line
MAIN
Main Drain System
COMMON CLOG LOCATIONS
Blocked drains can develop throughout a property.
01
Kitchen Drains
Grease, food residue and other material can contribute to restrictions in kitchen drainage piping.
02Bathroom Drains
Hair, soap residue and everyday material can gradually restrict bathroom sink drains.
03Shower & Tub Drains
Hair and product residue commonly collect around and inside shower and bathtub drainage.
04Floor Drains
Debris and other material can affect floor drains in basements, utility spaces and other areas.
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DON’T JUST WATCH IT GET WORSE
Repeatedly clogged drains deserve attention.
A drain that repeatedly blocks after being reopened may have continuing buildup or another condition that has not been resolved.
Likewise, widespread drainage symptoms can indicate that the issue is not limited to the fixture where the problem first appeared.
CLOGGED DRAIN FAQ
Questions about blocked drains
What causes a clogged drain?
The cause depends on the drain. Hair, soap residue, grease, food particles, debris and other material can accumulate or become lodged inside drainage piping and restrict water flow.
Why is my drain backing up?
Water can back up when a restriction prevents wastewater from moving normally through the drainage line. The location of the restriction may be close to the affected fixture or farther into the drainage system.
Why does my drain keep clogging?
A recurring clog can indicate that material remains inside the line or that another drainage condition is contributing to the restriction. Repeated problems may justify further assessment.
What does it mean if several drains are clogged?
When multiple fixtures are affected at the same time, the restriction may be located in drainage piping shared by those fixtures rather than at one individual drain opening.
Is drain cleaning different from clearing a clog?
Clearing a clog focuses on restoring an opening through a blockage. Drain cleaning may address accumulated material restricting the line more broadly. The appropriate service depends on the condition of the drain.
Can a clogged drain require a camera inspection?
Not every clogged drain requires one. A drain camera inspection may be useful when problems repeatedly return, affect multiple fixtures or the location or cause of the restriction is unclear.
PROFLOW DRAINAGE
Drain not moving?
Tell us what’s happening. Proflow can assess the drainage problem and determine the appropriate service to restore flow.
