Clogged drains · main-line stoppages · open 24/7
Drain cleaning in Louisville
A slow sink, a backed-up tub, or every drain in the house at once? Parker Plumbing clears clogged drains in Louisville homes and businesses, from one sink to the main line. Call (502) 239-1163, day or night.
Sewage backing up into the house?
Stay out of the flooded area. Do not touch switches, electrical outlets or appliances near the water. Stop using sinks, toilets and appliances that drain. Keep people and pets away, then call us, day or night.
One slow drain, or the main line?
Which drains are slow is a good clue to where the clog is. Louisville MSD, the sewer district, gives this guide:
- One drain is slow. The clog is likely between that sink, tub or toilet and the main drain.
- Some drains are slow, but not all. The clog is likely in the plumbing inside your home.
- No drain works. The clog may be in the main drain. Or it may be in the line from the house to the public sewer.
Neighbors backing up too? The public sewer may be blocked. Call Louisville MSD at (502) 540-6000, 24 hours a day.
Drains we clear
Kitchen sinks
Grease and food scraps that build up in the pipe and slow the sink.
Bathroom sinks and tubs
Hair and soap in tub and sink drains.
Toilets
A toilet that clogs, backs up or drains slowly.
Floor and laundry drains
Basement floor drains and laundry drains that back up or will not drain.
Main-line stoppages
A blocked main line can back up several drains at once. It is one of the most common emergency calls we get.
Clogs that keep coming back
After we clear the line, a camera inspection can show why it keeps clogging. See sewer camera inspection.
Restaurants and businesses
Kitchen and floor drains for restaurants and shops. See restaurant plumbing.
24-hour service
Backed up at night or on a holiday? Call any time. See 24-hour emergency plumbing.
When a clog keeps coming back
Clearing a drain opens it for now. If the same drain clogs again, something in the line is catching waste.
MSD lists the usual causes of a blocked sewer line from the house. They include grease build-up, a solid object flushed down and a caved-in pipe. A dip in the line can let solids settle. Roots can get in at joints and cracks.
A camera can show which one it is, and where. Sometimes the line has to be cleared first so the camera can get through. If the camera finds a damaged pipe, we explain the sewer line repair options.
How a sewer camera inspection worksKnow where your cleanout is
A cleanout is a capped pipe that gives a plumber a straight way into the drain line. MSD says many homes have a ground-level two-way cleanout outside, which makes blockages easier to remove.
Kentucky's plumbing code requires at least one cleanout on the main building drain (815 KAR 20:090, section 3). It sits inside the house or outside within 2 feet of the foundation.
If you know where yours is, tell us when you call. Leave the cap on, and keep the spot clear of mulch and plants.
Be careful with chemical drain cleaners
Many drain cleaners contain lye, also called sodium hydroxide. MedlinePlus calls it a very strong chemical. Avoid pouring a cleaner into a fully blocked drain. It stays in the pipe, where it can splash on anyone who opens the drain.
- Do not add a second product, plunge or take off the trap after you pour. Each one can splash the cleaner back at you.
- If cleaner gets on skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Then get medical help right away, MedlinePlus says.
- If someone swallows it or you have questions, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. It answers 24 hours a day.
- Keep cleaners in their original containers, out of children's reach.
If you already poured some in, tell us when you call so we can work safely.
Keep your drains clear
These tips come from Louisville MSD. They help prevent clogs.
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Flush only the 3 P's
Pee, poo and toilet paper. MSD says never flush "flushable" wipes. They do not break down and can cause sewer backups.
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Put grease in a can
Never pour grease down a sink. MSD says to pour it into an empty can, freeze it, and throw the can away once the grease is solid.
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Keep grease out of the disposal
MSD says a garbage disposal or grease-cutting soap does not keep grease out of the pipes. Wipe pans with a paper towel, and catch scraps in a sink strainer.
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Put the rest in the trash
Wipes, diapers, floss, feminine products and paper towels go in the trash.
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Refill a dry drain
A drain you rarely use can smell like sewage when the water in its trap dries up. MSD suggests pouring about three gallons of water down it.
How a drain call goes
Most drain calls follow these steps.
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You call
Tell us which drains are slow, how long it has been going on, and if anything was poured in.
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You get a price
We give you the price for the job before work starts. Priced by the job, not by the hour. No mileage charge.
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We clear the drain
We clear the clog and check that the water runs freely.
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We look closer if needed
If the clog comes back or points to the main line, a camera inspection shows the cause.
Common questions
Still not sure? Call and ask. You talk to the people who do the work.
Call (502) 239-1163Is professional drain cleaning worth it?
For one slow drain, a plunger may be enough. Call a plumber when several drains back up at once. Also call when the same clog keeps coming back, or when sewage comes up in a floor drain.
Do you clear main sewer line clogs?
Yes, day or night. If it keeps happening, a camera inspection can show why.
Do I need a permit to have a drain cleaned?
No. Kentucky's plumbing code says a permit is not required for cleaning out waste or sewer pipes. Repairs and new work are different. See 815 KAR 20:050.
My neighbors are backing up too. Who do I call?
The public sewer may be blocked. Call Louisville MSD at (502) 540-6000, 24 hours a day. If only your house is backing up, call us.
Can you come at night?
Yes. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call (502) 239-1163.