Reasons Why DIY Drain Cleaning May Not Take Care of the Issue

Stopped-up drains are a common residential plumbing headache, prompting many to try DIY work for a quick patch. Although cleaning out the drains on your own seems like a budget-friendly and convenient choice, it often fails to solve the root cause of the clog and can even cause more damage later on. Learn about the techniques, disadvantages and advantages of other drain clearing techniques to understand why Expert plumbing service is a better option.

Reasons Some Homeowners Avoid DIY Drain Cleaning

Despite the accessibility and fewer costs of do-it-yourself methods, they may not be the best approach for a few reasons:

• Inconsistent Solutions: Do-it-yourself techniques usually give only a temporary solution. They might unblock enough of the blockage to restore flow briefly, but the root cause is still there, leading to recurring issues and annoyance.
• Possibility of further damage: Haphazardly using plungers and plumbing snakes may actually cause damage by gouging the plumbing’s interior walls. An uninsured novice can easily make matters worse, leading to extra expenses and headaches.
• Ineffectiveness: DIY solutions could remove small clogs, but they don’t resolve more severe examples like root intrusion or a collapsed sewer line. If you don’t have the proper tools, it’s challenging to properly identify the root cause, let alone fix it.
• Damaging the plumbing: Over-the-counter chemical drain cleaners can damage your home’s plumbing. These products often contain harsh chemicals that can weaken your plumbing lines over time, more so if they’re in an older home or made of materials like cast iron or galvanized iron. Additionally, chemical cleaners can be hazardous to your health, leading to skin irritation or toxic fumes, not to mention the negative environmental impact from having to dump them down the sink.

Common Do-It-Yourself Drain Cleaning Techniques

It’s perfectly reasonable to try DIY methods to remove clogs from clogged drains before calling in the pros. Here are some common approaches, giving varied results:

• Plunger: A sink plunger is useful for a few simple clogs in sinks and toilets. Making sure the sink or tub has a bit of water gives a secure fit over the drain. Then, using strong pressure should dislodge the obstruction, as long as it’s not too far from the incoming pressure.
• Hot Water: Running heated (but not boiling) water through the line can melt a little of the fatty buildups or clear out dried soap. But, this method is better at avoiding stoppages than resolving current clogs.
• Drain Cleaning Chemicals: Most homeowners actually try this method first, but it’s the least successful and most likely to cause damage.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar: This well-known do-it-yourself unclogging technique entails placing one-half cup of bicarbonate of soda followed by one-half cup of vinegar down the drain. Once the mixture stops bubbling, the last step is to flush the entire line with warm but not too hot water.
• Hand-Crank Plumbing Snake or Auger: This option manually clears or removes blockages. It’s the do-it-yourself approach most able to clear out the clogged drain. Still, if the clog is too far into the plumbing for the snake to be able to to reach, it won’t work.

The Perks of Professional Drain Cleaning

If an attempt at DIY to fix a clogged drain doesn’t work, opt for professional drain cleaning services. Here’s how you’ll benefit when you decide this is the best option:

• Preventive maintenance: Scheduled maintenance like pipe cleaning is the ideal approach for ensuring clog-free pipes for as long as possible. Consider this preventive measure to reduce the risk of plumbing emergencies and big repair bills later on.
• Long-lasting solutions: Professional drain cleaning provides a more complete resolution, fixing the main issue of the obstruction so you can move past drain issues for good.
• Safe, Expert work: Licensed Experts have the knowledge and experience to address tough blockages safely and effectively. They use the best techniques and tools to stop further damage to your plumbing system.

Local Expert Drain Cleaning Best Practices

Licensed Experts utilize various high-tech tools to provide comprehensive and long-term resolutions to your plumbing concerns:

• Heavy-duty plumbing auger: When standard tools fail to clear the clog out, Experts turn to the more serious equipment. Electric-powered snakes have longer cables designed to extend into your drainage system, cutting apart anything in their path.
• Digital camera inspections: Experts usually start their inspections with a sewer camera inspection. This includes inserting a tiny camera into the plumbing system to correctly find the precise source of the blockage, guaranteeing targeted and effective repairs.
• Hydro jetting: The most high-tech drain cleaning technique employs high-pressure water to blast away blockages and scrub the interior of your plumbing, removing all debris and gunk. Even intrusive tree roots are vulnerable to this high-power technique.

Schedule Expert Drain Cleaning

Although do-it-yourself drain cleaning techniques are a quick fix for small clogs, deeper or more significant issues demand professional services. For secure, efficient and longer-lasting solutions, rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We deliver dependable drain cleaning services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Should you not be entirely satisfied with our work, we’ll fix it. Contact us today to ensure your drains are in Expert hands.