Reasons Why DIY Drain Cleaning May Not Take Care of Your Problem

Blocked pipes are a typical household problem, causing many to attempt do-it-yourself fixes for a quick fix. Even though do-it-yourself unclogging appears to be a cost-effective and easy way to go, it usually does not solve the root cause of the clog and can even lead to additional problems in the future. Discover the techniques, drawbacks and benefits of other drain clearing techniques to understand why calling a licensed plumber is the best way to go.

Downsides of DIY Drain Cleaning

Despite the convenience and cost-effectiveness of DIY methods, they might not be the best approach for a few reasons:

• Short-Term Solutions: Do-it-yourself techniques often give only a short-term fix. They might clear just enough of the clog to allow water to drain for a while, but the underlying issue persists, leading to ongoing clogs and frustration.
• Accidentally causing further damage: Haphazardly using plungers or plumbing snakes may actually cause damage by damaging the inside of your pipes. An untrained user can unintentionally cause more harm than good, leading to extra expenses and frustration.
• Low impact: Going the DIY route could remove small clogs, but they don’t fix more significant problems like root intrusion or a collapsed sewer line. Without proper equipment, it’s more difficult to properly identify the root cause, let alone resolve it.
• Damaged pipes: Over-the-counter chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes. These products often use corrosive ingredients that damage pipes over time, more so if they’re in an older home or made of materials like iron piping or galvanized iron. Moreover, drain cleaning chemicals can be hazardous to your health, resulting in chemical irritation or toxic fumes, not to mention environmental pollution from having to dump them down the sink.

Common DIY Drain Cleaning Techniques

It’s understandable to attempt do-it-yourself methods to clear clogged drains before seeking professional service. You’re probably familiar with some common methods, offering varied results:

• Plunger: A conventional plunger is helpful for small clogs in sinks and bath drains. Adding to the fixture an inch of water creates a good seal over the drainage. Then, plunging with strong, consistent force should dislodge the obstruction, as long as it’s located close enough to the incoming pressure.
• Hot Water: Pouring heated (but not scalding) water through the line can dissolve oil-based clogs or clear out soap residue. That said, this approach is more useful at stopping blockages than unclogging a clog that’s already formed.
• Drain Cleaning Chemicals: Many people actually use a chemical cleaner first, but it’s the least successful and most prone to create more issues than they resolve.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar: This common DIY unclogging technique involves adding a ½ cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of common vinegar solution through the line. When the mix stops bubbling and hissing, the last step is to flush the drain with warm but not scalding hot water.
• Hand-Crank Plumbing Snake or Auger: This device physically breaks up or pushes them out through the pipe. It’s the do-it-yourself approach most likely to help clear the clog out. Still, if it is too far into the plumbing for the snake to get to, it won’t be effective.

Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning

If your do-it-yourself adventure to unclog a clogged drain proves fruitless, choose professional drain cleaning services. Here’s what you’ll gain when you decide this is the best option:

• Preventative maintenance: Scheduled maintenance like pipe cleaning is the ideal approach for ensuring free-flowing drains. Look into this preventive measure to cut down on the risk of unexpected clogs and costly repairs in the future.
• Long-lasting solutions: Licensed service from local plumbers provides a more comprehensive fix, addressing the root cause of the obstruction so you can get rid of clogs permanently.
• Expertise and safety: Qualified plumbers have the knowledge and experience to address tough blockages quickly and effectively. They utilize the proper equipment and tools to minimize the risk of further damage to your plumbing system.

Professional Drain Cleaning Best Practices

Professional plumbers use various modern equipment to provide thorough and long-term resolutions to your drain problems:

• Professional-grade plumbing auger: When small manual augers prove ineffective, plumbers turn to the more serious equipment. Motorized augers have extended reach and longer cables that go deep into your drainage system, smashing through the clog.
• Using a video camera: Professionals usually start their plumbing inspections with a drain camera. This includes feeding a small camera into the plumbing system to correctly identify the location and cause of the blockage, guaranteeing targeted and effective repairs.
• Hydro jetter: The most high-tech unclogging approach utilizes strong streams of pressurized water to wash out clogs and scrub the inner walls of your piping, wiping out all debris and residue. Even roots invading pipes are no match for this high-power technique.

Schedule Expert Drain Cleaning

While DIY drain cleaning methods are a temporary solution for small clogs, more serious or larger problems require Expert help. For safe, effective and permanent solutions, turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We deliver reliable drain cleaning services supported by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Should you not be entirely satisfied with our service, we’ll fix it. Contact us today to ensure your pipes are in capable hands.