A slowed or stopped flow of water isn't always the result of a simple blockage. It could be a broken or cracked pipe in your system, or even erosion of older pipes. Call a professional to make sure you get the right diagnosis and the right cure.

The “house lateral” system was conceived in the 1850s, and it’s the typical sewer system structure found in most American cities today. The house lateral is the drain line that runs from your house and connects to the sewer mainline, usually buried under the street.

The fiber optic technology used for inline drain cameras was initially discovered in the 1950s. It took nearly three decades of research and development to translate the initial discovery into useful fiberscope cameras and telecommunication lines.

When it comes to blocked drains, there are several early warning signs to look for that there are some obstructions to the water flow. This includes gurgling sounds after you flush a toilet, a slow sink or bath drain, and bad smells coming from sinks or drains.

Regular maintenance of your plumbing system is vital to keep water flowing smoothly through your drains and pipes. Having a professional drain cleaner inspect your drains and handle obstructions as they occur keeps small problems from turning into big ones.

A big worry for clogging pipes is tree roots, and not just the obvious large ones. Smaller, hair-like roots can penetrate pipes and create hair-like masses that in turn create large clogs. Fortunately, drain cleaning experts can take care of these roots.

If you are not sure if the problem with the drain is just that one fixture or if you have a whole house problem, here is a simple check: if the drain in question is the only one that is not emptying correctly, the problem is in that drain. If several drains are slow (or clogged), the problem is in the lines outside the building.

If multiple drains in your home have started to clog, this usually means that you have a clog farther down your sewer lines (as all the drains in your home connect to one main sewer line). Regular professional drain cleanings can help prevent this type of issue.

Odd sounds (glugs, or blubs) when water drains from your sinks or tubs could be caused by partial clogs in your drain lines, problems with the drain venting system, or, if you have one, problems with your septic system.

Grease and oil, washed down the drain with hot water, cools off the farther it moves from the entry point and coagulates along the line, clogging the pipes and creating significant problems that require a complete reaming and cleaning to correct.

Here's a bonus to calling a professional drain cleaner to handle a blocked drain: they will also check out the overall condition of your pipes and tell you if anything's likely to cause a problem in the future. You can then get this fixed before it becomes a major issue.

One cause of a blocked drain can be a broken pipe, which will need to be diagnosed with special equipment. If a pipe is broken, the water cannot flow freely and it may collapse, causing the drain to block.