You usually pick a drain company on a bad day, with water standing in the tub and your phone already in your hand. That is a poor moment to start researching anybody, so it helps to know ahead of time what a good answer sounds like. Our crew at ASAP Plumbing handles drain and sewer work across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. These are the questions we would ask before booking a drain cleaning company in Gulfport, whether that is us or someone else.
What to look for in a Gulfport drain cleaning company
A good drain cleaning company in Gulfport should find the cause of the clog instead of just moving it. That means putting a camera in the line, explaining what the footage shows and handling the repair when the pipe itself has failed. Ask who answers after midnight, and get the price before any work starts.
All of that comes out in one phone call, so run these five questions past whoever you are considering.
Do you put a camera in the line? Listen for a yes, and a clear account of what the camera found in your line.
What happens if the pipe turns out to be broken? Listen for one crew that does the repair, rather than a referral somewhere else.
Who answers a call at 2 a.m.? Listen for a person on the phone at that hour, not a callback at nine.
When do I get a price? Listen for a price you approve before any work starts, plus an explanation of what could change it.
What do your recent reviews describe? Listen for the same details repeating across months, especially arrival time and whether the fix held.
One more thing helps before you dial. Notice whether a single fixture is slow or whether every drain in the house has gone sluggish. One points to a branch line, and the other points to the main. Tell us which one it is when you call and we will know what to bring.
Sewer camera inspection comes first
Snaking a line moves the blockage out of the way, which is useful and sometimes all a drain needs. It does not tell anyone what put the blockage there or whether the pipe underneath is still in one piece. A sewer camera inspection answers both of those questions because we feed a waterproof camera down the line and read the video on the spot.
Grease buildup, a root mass and a cracked section of pipe all look different on that screen, and each one calls for different work. A company that clears the line without ever looking inside it can leave you with a working drain but no explanation for what caused the clog.
This is also the part people skip when they are comparing prices over the phone. A quote for clearing without an inspection may be lower because it includes fewer services, so ask what each price covers before comparing them.
One crew for the clearing and the repair
Buildup is a common reason water backs up, though tree roots and damaged pipes can cause problems too. When the camera finds a break, a company that only clears lines has to hand you off. You start the search over with the drain still out of service, which means a second company to schedule and a second look at the same pipe.
We handle sewer installation, sewer repair and sewer replacement ourselves, so the diagnosis and the work stay with one crew. We also offer trenchless sewer inspection and trenchless sewer repair for lines that need more than a clearing. Trenchless sewer repair can fix a damaged line without tearing up the yard. Ask whoever you call about trenchless work on that first call, since it is easier to sort out before a crew arrives.
If a drain has backed up more than once this year, call us at (228) 865-2727 and ask us to bring the camera before you commit to drain repairs.
After-hours coverage and what to ask before the crew leaves
An emergency line that rings to voicemail sounds exactly like one that rings to a person, right up until you try it. You do not want to find that out at 2 a.m., so call the number and hear who picks up while the drain is still working. We keep emergency plumbing crews on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That after-hours coverage runs across Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and D’Iberville.
No matter who you hire or what time they arrive, the visit should end with three answers. Ask what caused the clog, whether the pipe is sound and what to watch for over the next few months. Our post on keeping Gulfport drains clear covers the habits worth building once the line is running again.
Say so when you call if you have already poured a chemical cleaner down the line. The harsh chemicals in these products can weaken pipes, especially in older Gulfport homes, and repeated use can accelerate corrosion. Whoever comes out needs to know what went down the drain.
Call us about a drain that keeps backing up
Call ASAP Plumbing at (228) 865-2727 for drain cleaning, a camera inspection or a free repair estimate. We work out of 9465 Creosote Rd, Building 100, Unit J, Gulfport, MS 39503. The same crew handles water heaters, leak detection and gas line work when the trouble turns out to be somewhere else in the house.