Slow and clogged drains are among the most common and frustrating plumbing problems most homeowners deal with at some point. Apart from making washing dishes and showering frustrating tasks, slow drains can attract household pests if they are left unaddressed. When your drains aren’t working correctly, you may be tempted to find quick DIY solutions like using chemical drain cleaners. While you may think you’re saving yourself money, trying to unblock drains yourself can do more harm than good. When you have slow or clogged drains, it’s advisable to call a professional plumber to remediate the problem.
Let’s walk you through some of the reasons why you should avoid DIY drain cleaning.
When you’re dealing with slow or clogged drains, you’ll need the right tools and equipment to remediate the problem. Some of the essential tools that plumbers use to unclog drains include plungers, plumbing snakes, motorized augers, hydro-jetters, video inspection equipment, wire brushes, and more. As a do-it-yourselfer, you may not have access to essential tools for drain cleaning. Furthermore, drain cleaning tools work effectively in the hands of a qualified plumber and not a do-it-yourselfer. Without the necessary knowledge on how to use plumbing tools, you may hurt yourself or cause damage to your plumbing. Besides, DIY drain cleaning will yield temporary solutions.
Using chemical drain cleaners to dissolve clogs or snaking your drains incorrectly can damage the interior of your pipes. Some chemical drain cleaners contain high concentrations of harsh chemicals that can eat away at pipes. Repeated use of chemical drain cleaners can weaken your pipes and make them prone to leaks. On the other hand, if you use a drain snake incorrectly, you can scratch your pipes’ interior. You should leave drain cleaning to professional plumbers who know what they are doing and have the right tools and equipment to get the job done.
Although most drain problems are caused by flushing the wrong items down the drains, sometimes your drains can become clogged as a result of pipe damage or tree root intrusion. For someone without the proper diagnostic tools and troubleshooting skills, it can be difficult to know exactly what’s wrong with your drain lines when a clog occurs. The only way to accurately diagnose the problem when you have clogged drains is to seek the help of an experienced plumber.
When you have a drain clog, you can use a plunger, snake, or auger to clear the clog if you know how to use these tools. Alternatively, you can pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, followed by hot water, to dissolve and clear the clog. If the clog won’t clear after trying these methods, call a plumber to help you. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we take pride in offering thorough and satisfactory drain cleaning services. Our plumbers have the expertise, experience, and proper equipment to clear even the most stubborn drain clogs.