Slow Drains & Blockages

You are standing in an inch of water during your morning shower. The kitchen sink takes five minutes to empty after doing dishes. These are not small annoyances—they are early warnings that a full blockage is building inside your drain lines.

Putman & Son's Plumbing handles drain cleaning every day across Rochester Hills, Troy, Auburn Hills, and the surrounding Metro Detroit area. We use professional-grade cable machines and inspection cameras—not the chemical drain cleaners that eat away at your pipes from the inside.

When to Call a Pro vs. DIY

A single clogged drain in one fixture can usually be cleared with a plunger. That is a safe, free first step. But reach for the phone instead of the plunger when you see any of these signs:

• Multiple fixtures draining slowly at the same time
• Water backing up in one fixture when you use another (e.g., flushing the toilet makes the tub gurgle)
• Sewage smell from any drain opening
• Water pooling around your basement floor drain
• A plunger or hand snake does not fix it within a few minutes

Chemical drain cleaners are tempting, but they generate heat that can warp PVC pipes and accelerate corrosion in older cast iron. A professional cable machine is safer and more effective.

What to Expect

What Causes Drain Blockages?

Understanding what clogs drains can help you prevent the next one:

• Kitchen: Grease, food scraps, and coffee grounds coat pipe walls over time.
• Bathroom: Hair combined with soap residue creates dense mats inside the drain trap.
• Laundry: Lint and detergent buildup restrict the standpipe.
• Main line: Tree roots enter through small cracks in older sewer pipe joints.

Related Residential Services

• Stubborn Buildup & Root Intrusion (Jetting)
• Hidden Leaks & Water Testing
• Drain & Sewer Overview
• Schedule a Service Call