Fast Plumbing Answers: Drains With Standing Water

You’re staring at a sink full of water that just won't go down, or perhaps your shower has turned into a shallow pool. Standing water in your drains leads to unsanitary conditions, unpleasant odors, and long-term water damage.

You need to know: "How do you unclog a drain with standing water?"

Don't worry — we'll answer all your questions in 2 minutes or less.

We’re Mother, a Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing company that provides dependable, hassle-free modern plumbing for homeowners who value quality. We'll clear your standing water with fast, same-day DFW drain cleaning service.

The Fast Answer: How Do You Unclog a Drain With Standing Water?

To unclog a drain with standing water, you need to access the clog from the most effective point. This is usually your sewer line cleanout — it’s either located inside or outside your home.

Here are the most common areas to find your cleanout pipe:

• Indoors: Garage, basement, or utilities area
• Outdoors, above ground: Several inches above ground level near the property line or your foundation — look for a capped pipe‍
• Outdoors, ground level: Flush with the ground, covered by a small box or lid

Once you locate and access your cleanout, you’ll need specialized equipment.

This involves inserting specialized equipment like a sewer machine or a board camera into an active clean-out on the outside of your home, or by pulling the toilet or going down a shower drain. The goal is to clear the blockage and restore natural water flow.

Why Most Homeowners Can't Clear Standing Water in Drains

Most homeowners simply don’t have the proper tools to clear a pesky blockage from their sewer line. Dillon Ashton, our journeyman plumber, has cleared standing water from hundreds of drains in the DFW area.

“The first key is having the right equipment,” Dillon says. “You also need the proper know-how — unfortunately, a lot of homeowners attempt it themselves.”

“I don’t blame them for trying, but it’s an art to get it done the right way.”

Without the proper equipment and understanding of your home's plumbing system, you might only partially clear the blockage. This leads to a never-ending cycle of clogged drains, and eventual long-term pipe damage.

2 Reasons Why You Have Standing Water In Your Drains

Standing water in your drains indicates an obstruction that prevents water from flowing freely through your pipes. It's a clear sign that something is blocking the natural drainage path.

9 out of 10 times you notice standing water, it’s caused by one of these 2 culprits.

Foreign objects and debris buildup

Trouble spots (where you’ll notice standing water): Bathroom sinks, shower drains, kitchen sinks.

How it happened: Hair, soap scum, grease, food particles, and even small objects can accumulate over time. They narrow the pipe's diameter and create a complete blockage.

Main sewer line damage

Trouble spots (where you’ll notice standing water): Multiple fixtures showing standing water (e.g., toilet, shower, and sink all backing up).

How it happened: A blockage in your main sewer line can cause standing water in various drains throughout your home. This can be due to a tree root intrusion, pipe collapse, or significant accumulation of debris from shifting clay soil.

What to Expect When Your Plumber Arrives

When you call a professional plumber for standing water in your drains, expect a 3-step approach to identify the root cause and provide a lasting solution.

Locating the Problem

Where will they look? Plumbers typically start by assessing the affected drains. If it's a single fixture, they'll focus on that specific drain. If multiple fixtures are involved, they'll suspect a main line issue and look for exterior clean-outs.

How will they look? Dillon says finding the right access point to promote drain flow is crucial. “Finding an active clean-out on the outside of the home, possibly pulling the toilet or going down a shower drain — that’s usually where we insert our sewer machine and board camera to get the system to drain properly."

Technology used? Professional plumbers utilize tools like powerful drain snakes or sewer machines to break through blockages. They also use specialized sewer camera inspection technology to visually identify the exact nature and location of the clog after the initial clearing.

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Offering the Best Possible Solution

Once the blockage is located and identified, your plumber will recommend the most effective solution:

Drain snaking: For smaller, localized clogs, a drain snake can effectively clear hair, grease, and other common obstructions.

Hydro jetting: For more stubborn clogs, especially those caused by grease buildup or sludge, hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the inside of your pipes clean.

Sewer line repair/replacement: If the camera inspection reveals tree root intrusion, cracks, or collapsed pipes, more extensive sewer line repair or replacement may be necessary to resolve the issue permanently.

Want a second opinion on your plumber’s advice? If their bid just doesn’t seem right, call Mother — we’re happy to provide an expert second opinion.

Fixing the Problem So It Doesn't Return

After clearing the immediate blockage, your plumber should offer solutions to prevent future standing water. This often involves a video camera inspection of the cleared line to ensure the pipe is fully clear and to identify any underlying issues that could lead to recurring problems.

Standing Water in Your Drains? Here's What to Do

Standing water in your home's drains seems alarming. But if you call a plumber focused on long-term solutions, it’s an easy problem to fix.

In the meantime, here’s what to do when you discover standing water:

Never pour chemical drain cleaners (Drano) down your pipes

While chemical drain cleaners like Drano might seem like a quick fix, they only partially dissolve blockages large enough to cause the issue. Plus, they’ll damage and corrode your pipes over time and harm the local environment.

If you already used Drano, tell your plumber. They may suffer burns when accessing your pipes to fix the issue. 

No more short-term fixes: call a plumber

If you’re experiencing clogged drains more than twice per year, stop putting a Band-Aid on the problem — you need a plumber.

Professional plumbers have the specialized tools, expertise, and diagnostic capabilities to accurately identify the problem and provide a reliable solution.

A plumber can efficiently clear the blockage and, more importantly, determine why it's happening in the first place.

Live in Dallas-Fort Worth? Call Mother

For Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners, Mother Modern Plumbing is your go-to expert for clearing standing water and resolving drain issues. Our top-rated sewer line camera inspections ensure we pinpoint the problem with precision, leading to effective and lasting solutions.

And did we mention they’re complimentary as part of our $299 drain cleaning service package?

Fast, Expert Dallas-Fort Worth Drain Cleaning Service

Standing water in your drains is a clear indicator of a blockage that requires professional attention. It’s tempting to try DIY methods, but the most effective and long-lasting solutions involve proper equipment and expert knowledge to identify and clear the obstruction.

 A professional plumber utilizes tools like sewer machines and camera inspections to accurately diagnose the problem and provide the best course of action, whether it's a simple drain clearing or a more involved sewer line repair.

Mother Modern Plumbing is your trusted partner for fast, effective sewer line repair and drain cleaning in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. We offer $299 drain cleaning service with a complimentary video camera inspection, ensuring your drains are clear and flowing freely.

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