24-HOUR ANSWERING SERVICE
NO OVERTIME CHARGES - EVER
LICENSE #401802
SERVING SACRAMENTO SINCE 1981
24/7 Emergency Service Available

Drain Cleaning Services

Clogged, slow, or backing up. We clear drains properly—and find out why it happened.

All Drains—Kitchen to Main
Camera Inspection Available
No Overtime Charges
Licensed Since '81 (#401802)

Drain Problems?

Slow drains are annoying. Backed-up drains are emergencies. Either way, pouring chemicals down there isn't fixing anything.

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Every drain in your house eventually has a problem. Hair in the bathroom, grease in the kitchen, roots in the main line. Pouring Drano down there might buy you a week—it's not fixing the actual issue.What we see:Bathroom drains: Hair, soap scum, toothpaste buildup. Usually straightforward to clear, but some P-traps and fixture drains have problems that keep causing clogs.Kitchen drains: Grease is the big one. Builds up in the line, catches food particles, eventually stops everything. Garbage disposal abuse makes it worse.Main sewer line: Tree roots are the usual suspect in Sacramento. Older clay and cast iron pipes crack, roots find the cracks, and you get backups. Can also be bellied pipe (low spots where waste collects) or straight-up pipe failure.Floor drains and basement: Don't get used much, then don't drain when you need them. Traps dry out, debris accumulates, problems hide.Why we're different:We don't just poke a hole through the clog and leave. We clear the line properly and tell you what caused the problem. If there's a bigger issue—roots, damaged pipe, improper slope—we'll find it.Camera inspection lets us see exactly what's happening in the line. Not every job needs it, but when it does, it saves you from guessing.

Spot the Warning Signs

Click the signs you're experiencing

Water Draining Slowly
Gurgling Sounds
Multiple Drains Backing Up
Sewage Smell

Select the warning signs you're experiencing

Call To Confirm The Warning Signs

Our 4-Step Solution Process

Transparent, effective, guaranteed results

1

Assessment

We figure out which drain, what's causing it, and the best way to clear it.

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Different clogs need different approaches.Single fixture (one sink, one tub): Usually a clog close to the drain. P-trap issue, hair/debris in the line right there.Multiple fixtures: Problem is further down—branch line or main. When the toilet backs up into the tub, that's a main line issue.Whole house: Main sewer line is blocked. Nothing's going anywhere until we clear it.We ask questions, check symptoms, and figure out where to start. Then we tell you what we're dealing with and what it'll take to clear it.

2

Clearing

Professional equipment to clear the line properly—not just poke through.

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We use real equipment:Drain cables (snakes): For most clogs. Cuts through buildup, pulls out debris, actually clears the line.Hydro jetting: High-pressure water that scours the inside of the pipe. For serious buildup, grease lines, or when snaking alone isn't cutting it. Not every job needs it, but some do.Closet augers: Specifically for toilets. Gets past the trap without scratching the porcelain.We clear it properly. That means running the cable or jet through the whole affected section, not just punching a hole. When we're done, the drain should flow like new—not just trickle.

3

Camera Inspection

See inside the pipe. Find out what's really going on.

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Sometimes you need to see what's happening in the line.When we use cameras:- Recurring clogs (something's causing them)- Main line problems (roots? damage? bellied pipe?)- Before buying a house (what's the sewer line condition?)- After clearing (did we get everything?)The camera shows us exactly what's in there. Roots, cracks, bellies, buildup, collapsed sections. You'll see the video—we don't just tell you it's bad.If there's a problem beyond just a clog, the camera finds it. Then we can talk about real solutions, not just repeated clearing.

4

Prevention

We tell you what caused it and how to keep it from happening again.

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Clearing the drain solves today's problem. Understanding why it clogged prevents next month's problem.We'll tell you:- What we found (grease buildup, hair, roots, whatever)- What probably caused it (habits, pipe condition, design issues)- What you can do to prevent it (strainers, disposal use, maintenance)If it's a bigger issue—root intrusion, damaged pipe, improper slope—we'll explain your options. Sometimes the right answer is periodic clearing. Sometimes it's repair or replacement.No scare tactics. Just straight information so you can make good decisions.

Why Choose JR Putman Plumbing, Heating and Air

Actually Cleared

We clear the line properly—not just poke through and hope.

Find the Cause

Camera inspection when needed. Know what's really going on.

No Overtime

Sewer backup at midnight? Same rate as noon.

All Drains

Sinks, tubs, toilets, main lines—we clear them all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to unclog a drain?
For minor clogs, a plunger or drain snake often works. Skip the chemical drain cleaners—they damage pipes and rarely solve the real problem. If snaking doesn't work or clogs keep coming back, you need professional cleaning to find and fix the underlying issue.
How often should drains be cleaned?
As needed for most drains. If you have recurring clogs in the same drain, something is wrong—tree roots, pipe damage, or buildup that needs professional attention. Kitchen drains benefit from occasional maintenance if you have grease buildup.
Why do my drains keep clogging?
Recurring clogs usually mean a bigger problem: tree roots in the sewer line, pipe damage, improper slope, or buildup that simple snaking can't reach. We use camera inspection to find the real cause instead of guessing.
What causes sewer smell in my house?
Most common cause: dry P-traps. Run water in unused drains. Other causes: cracked or damaged drain lines, blocked vents, or sewer line issues. If running water in all drains doesn't fix it, call us.
Are chemical drain cleaners bad for pipes?
Yes. They contain harsh chemicals that eat away at pipes—especially older metal pipes. They often don't fully clear clogs either, just open a small channel that clogs again. Mechanical cleaning is safer and more effective.
How do you clean main sewer lines?
With a professional sewer machine—a powerful motorized snake that can cut through roots and clear significant blockages. For tough jobs, we use hydro-jetting, which scours the pipe walls clean with high-pressure water.

Drain Problems?

Let's clear it properly and find out what's causing it.