Done approaches drain cleaning as a diagnostic process first, not just a clearing job. Before any equipment goes into a drain, our technicians assess the symptoms — which drain, what type of clog, how long it’s been slow, whether other fixtures are affected — to determine whether this is an isolated blockage or a sign of something happening deeper in the system. That assessment shapes the method, and the method shapes the outcome.
Diagnosis Before Tools
A slow kitchen drain and a main sewer line backup call for completely different responses. Done’s technicians ask the right questions and, when the situation warrants it, use a sewer camera inspection before or after cleaning to see exactly what’s happening inside the pipe. This is especially important for recurring clogs — if a drain is backing up again three months after being cleared, the cause wasn’t fully addressed the first time. Camera inspection removes the guesswork.
Colorado’s hard water means mineral scale accumulation inside pipes is common across the Denver metro. A drain that appears to have a grease or debris clog may also have significant calcium buildup narrowing the pipe — something that won’t be obvious without looking inside. Knowing that changes the cleaning approach.
The Methods Done Uses
Done uses two primary drain cleaning methods, chosen based on what the drain needs:
- Cable cleaning (drain snake or rooter): A motorized cable is fed into the drain and rotated to break up and retrieve solid blockages — hair, food debris, root masses, and accumulated gunk. Effective for clearing an active clog quickly. Best for isolated, localized obstructions.
- Hydro jetting: High-pressure water (typically 3,000–4,000 PSI) is directed through a specialized nozzle that scours the interior walls of the pipe in all directions simultaneously. Unlike a cable, hydro jetting doesn’t just punch a hole through the clog — it cleans the pipe wall, removing grease, mineral scale, and fine root tendrils. Best for recurring clogs, grease-packed lines, and preparation before pipe lining.
Honest Recommendations, Not Upsells
Not every drain needs hydro jetting. A straightforward hair clog in a shower drain is a cable job — it doesn’t need high-pressure equipment. Done’s technicians recommend the method that fits the actual problem, not the most expensive option available. When a camera inspection reveals that a pipe’s condition warrants a more involved repair — root intrusion that’s going to come back without lining, a cracked section that’s allowing soil to wash in — we explain what we found, show you the footage, and let you make an informed decision.
How Colorado Conditions Inform Our Approach
Done’s Front Range crews are familiar with the drain and sewer conditions specific to this region: hard water scale from the Denver metro’s mineral-heavy tap water, expansive clay soils that shift sewer pipes seasonally, root intrusion from the cottonwoods and elms common in established neighborhoods, and the aging clay tile or Orangeburg lines found in pre-1970s homes in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, and the surrounding communities. This regional knowledge means our technicians recognize patterns that a less experienced crew might miss.
Emergency and Scheduled Service
Done offers both scheduled drain cleaning for routine maintenance and emergency response when a drain can’t wait. Whether you’re proactively cleaning a kitchen line before a known buildup becomes a problem or dealing with sewage backing up through a basement floor drain right now, the process starts with the same commitment: figure out what’s actually happening, use the right method to fix it, and leave you with a clear picture of your drain system’s condition.
To schedule drain cleaning or a sewer camera inspection, visit our drain cleaning page. For high-pressure cleaning, learn more about our hydro jetting service. If you need same-day help, our emergency drain cleaning team is available across the Denver metro and Front Range.
