Our Approach to Drain Cleaning
Slow or clogged drains are more than an inconvenience — they can lead to backups and water damage. Aces Highlands clears drains quickly and effectively without damaging your pipes.
We handle all types of drain clogs including kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and floor drains. Whether the clog is caused by grease buildup, hair, soap scum, or foreign objects, we have the tools and experience to clear it.
For stubborn or recurring clogs, we can perform a main line clearing to address deeper blockages in your home drainage system. We use professional-grade equipment that effectively removes buildup without damaging your pipes. If a clog has caused a leak, our leak repair service can address any water damage.
Preventive drain maintenance can save you from emergency calls and costly cleanups. If you are experiencing slow drains throughout your home, it may be time for a thorough drain cleaning to get your system flowing freely again. While we are at your home, we can also inspect your water heater for optimal performance.
Why You Should Skip the Chemical Drain Cleaner
Liquid drain cleaners are the most common cause of the damage we see on drain calls. The caustic chemicals generate heat that can soften PVC, corrode older metal piping, and eat rubber gaskets — and when they fail to clear the clog, they leave a trap full of caustic liquid that the next person (often our technician) has to work through. They also rarely remove the actual blockage; they burn a narrow channel through it, so the clog returns in weeks.
Mechanical cleaning — drain augers and professional-grade equipment matched to the pipe size — physically removes the blockage and scours the buildup on the pipe walls. That is why a professional cleaning lasts, while a bottle of chemicals buys you a few weeks. If you have already used a chemical product, tell us when you call so our technician can handle the line safely.
What Does a Recurring Clog Mean?
A clog that keeps coming back in the same fixture usually means the blockage was never fully removed — or that there is a deeper problem: a bellied or improperly pitched pipe, invading tree roots in the main line, or a partial collapse in older clay or cast-iron piping. If multiple drains in the house slow down at once, or the lowest drain in the home backs up when you run water elsewhere, the issue is almost certainly your main sewer line, not an individual fixture.
We diagnose the actual cause instead of repeatedly clearing the symptom. As a local company with no franchise sales targets, we have no incentive to sell you a main-line excavation you do not need — most recurring clogs are resolved with a thorough mechanical cleaning and an honest explanation of what we found.
Local & Independent — Not a Franchise
Aces Highlands is a locally owned Portland, Maine company — not a national franchise. Our technicians are not commissioned salespeople and nobody here is required to upsell you anything. We do the work you called us for, do it right, and earn the next call. That is the whole business model.
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Drain Cleaning FAQs
Is Drano safe to use on a clogged drain?
We recommend against it. Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes and gaskets, rarely remove the full blockage, and create a safety hazard for anyone who works on the drain afterward. A mechanical cleaning removes the clog completely and is safer for your plumbing.
Why does my drain keep clogging in the same spot?
A recurring clog usually means the original blockage was only partially cleared, or there is an underlying issue like pipe scale, improper pitch, or root intrusion. A thorough professional cleaning — and identifying the root cause — breaks the cycle.
How do I know if my main sewer line is clogged?
Warning signs include multiple drains slowing at once, gurgling toilets, sewage odors, and water backing up at the lowest drain in the house when you run water elsewhere. A main-line clog needs prompt professional attention before it becomes a sewage backup.
How much does professional drain cleaning cost?
Nationally, clearing a simple fixture drain typically runs in the $100-$300 range, while main sewer lines cost more depending on access and severity. We quote the price before we start the work, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
How can I keep my drains from clogging?
Keep grease, coffee grounds, and fibrous food out of kitchen drains; use hair catchers in showers; flush nothing but toilet paper; and run hot water after each sink use. An occasional preventive cleaning keeps older or heavily used lines flowing freely.
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Aces Highlands provides drain cleaning across Greater Portland and Southern Maine. Find your community below.
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