When a drain gets blocked, the problem looks simple at first: water stops draining. But not every blockage has the same cause, so the right cleaning method differs too.
Sometimes the problem is hair, grease or other debris built up in an indoor pipe. In other cases the build-up is in the outdoor sewer line, and the whole pipe needs to be flushed.
That is why it matters not only to clear the blockage, but also to understand where and why it formed.
How cleaning with a drain snake works
A special electric drain snake (cable machine) is fed into the pipe and breaks up the blockage with a rotating head. It works well when hair, greasy deposits, paper or other material has built up inside the pipe and is stopping the water flow.
This method is often used for indoor drain and sewer cleaning in apartments, houses, offices and commercial spaces.
The condition of the pipe matters too. With old or damaged pipework the method has to be chosen carefully, so that the cleaning itself does not cause further damage.
How high-pressure water jetting works
High-pressure water jetting is mainly used on outdoor sewer lines. Its advantage is that the water does not just open a single blockage — it also washes away the deposits built up along the pipe walls.
This is especially important where large amounts of grease, sand, mud and other dirt accumulate over time.
Outdoor sewer cleaning with high-pressure water jetting is commonly used for private houses, apartment-block yards, restaurants, hotels and other high-load properties.
Which method is better?
There is no universal answer — each method has its own purpose.
If the problem is in a specific indoor pipe and a physical obstruction needs to be broken up, a drain snake is usually the more targeted option. If a long section of the outdoor network is dirty and there are heavy deposits on the pipe walls, water jetting is often more effective.
The goal should not be to let water through temporarily. The aim is to restore the pipe’s full capacity and reduce the risk of the blockage coming back.
Why does the drain keep blocking?
If the problem returns soon after cleaning, the cause may no longer be just accumulated waste.
The pipe may have a damaged section, an incorrect slope, a sagging part or another defect that makes debris collect in the same spot again and again.
In that case repeated cleaning only gives a temporary result. A better way to find the cause is a sewer camera inspection, which lets the specialist see the actual condition inside the pipe.
Why chemical drain cleaners are not always enough
A store-bought drain cleaner can reduce minor build-up, but with a serious blockage the result is usually temporary.
If the pipe walls are heavily coated or the pipe is significantly narrowed, chemicals alone cannot clean it fully.
Be especially careful with older systems: frequent use of strong chemicals can further affect the condition of pipes and joints.
When you need professional drain cleaning
If water no longer drains at all, several fixtures are blocked at the same time, water backs up, the yard manhole fills up, or the problem keeps coming back, it is important to choose the right method in time.
Sometimes a drain snake is needed, sometimes water jetting, and sometimes a camera inspection first. The right method does not just ease the problem for a while — it deals with its real cause. If you are in Tbilisi or Batumi, contact Chalicha and describe the problem.
