Why DIY Drain Unclogging Might Not Take Care of Your Problem

Stopped-up drains are a common household headache, causing many to make an attempt at DIY fixes for a quick patch. Even though do-it-yourself unclogging appears to be a budget-friendly and straightforward option, it often fails to solve the main source of the clog and can even lead to more damage down the line. Discover the techniques, disadvantages and perks of other drain clearing techniques to understand why Expert plumbing service is a better option.

Conventional DIY Drain Cleaning Techniques

It’s perfectly reasonable to attempt DIY once or twice to clear blocked pipes before seeking professional service. You may remember some typical techniques, offering different levels of success:

• Chemical Drain Cleaners: A lot of folks start with this approach, but it’s the least effective and most known to create more issues than they resolve.
• Hot Water: Pouring heated (but not TOO hot) water through the line can melt a little of the fatty buildups or rinse off soap scum. At the same time, this option is more useful at stopping blockages than resolving current clogs.
• Vinegar and Baking Soda: This well-known do-it-yourself drain cleaner entails placing one-half cup of sodium bicarbonate followed by half a cup of vinegar through the line. Once the mixture stops bubbling, the last step is to flush the drain with hot but not boiling hot water.
• Plunger: A sink plunger is effective for small clogs in sinks and toilets. Adding to the fixture a bit of water gives a good seal over the pipe opening. Then, using strong pressure should break up the clog, as long as it’s near enough to the drain.
• Hand-Crank Plumbing Snake or Auger: This tool manually clears or pushes them out through the pipe. It’s the DIY method most likely to clear out the clogged drain. Even so, if the clog is too far for the flexible cable to reach, it won’t do any good.

Drawbacks of DIY Drain Cleaning

Despite the ease and affordability of do-it-yourself methods, they might not be the best approach for several reasons:

• Damaging the plumbing: Commercially available drain cleaning chemicals can damage your pipes. These cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can weaken your plumbing lines over time, more so if they’re old or made of materials like iron piping or zinc-coated pipes. Additionally, chemical cleaners can be toxic, causing burns or toxic fumes, not to mention the negative environmental impact from pouring them down the drain.
• Low impact: Going the DIY route could unblock small clogs, but they won’t resolve more severe examples like root intrusion or a collapsed sewer line. Lacking proper gear, it’s challenging to pinpoint the underlying problem, let alone take care of it.
• Potential for further damage: Incorrectly using plungers and drain augers can have the opposite effect and lead to issues by damaging the plumbing’s interior walls. An inexperienced hand can quickly make matters worse, leading to additional repair costs and frustration.
• Inconsistent Fixes: Do-it-yourself techniques usually only offer a short-term fix. They can remove part of the clog to get things moving temporarily, but the main problem persists, leading to recurring issues and annoyance.

Expert Drain Cleaning Best Practices

Licensed Experts use various high-tech equipment to offer thorough and long-term results to your drain problems:

• Digital camera inspections: Plumbers often start inspections with a sewer camera inspection. This means inserting a miniature camera into the drainage lines to precisely identify the exact spot and reason of the clog, guaranteeing targeted and efficient repairs.
• Professional-grade plumbing auger: When basic plumbing snakes prove ineffective, Experts break out the heavy-duty tools. Motorized augers have extra-long cables that go deep into your sewer line, smashing through anything in their path.
• Hydro jetting: The most cutting-edge drain cleaning technique uses pressurized jets of water to wash out clogs and clear the inside of your pipes, wiping out all debris and residue. Even intrusive tree roots are vulnerable to this professional specialty.

The Perks of Professional Drain Cleaning

If a DIY attempt to clear a blocked pipe doesn’t work, opt for professional drain cleaning services. Here’s why it’s worth it when you make the call:

• Safe, Expert work: Licensed Experts have the know-how and experience to handle stubborn clogs in your home plumbing securely and efficiently. They utilize the proper equipment and tools to minimize the risk of further issues with your plumbing.
• Longer-lasting solutions: Licensed service from local plumbers offers a more complete resolution, fixing the root cause of the obstruction so you can get rid of clogs once and for all.
• Routine maintenance: Scheduled maintenance like pipe cleaning is the best way to ensure free-flowing drains. Think about this preventive measure to reduce the chance of problems and costly repairs later on.

Schedule Expert Drain Cleaning

Although self-cleaning approaches are a fast remedy for small clogs, deeper or major blockages call for Expert help. For risk-free, efficient and permanent solutions, rely on Moon Valley Plumbing. We provide trustworthy drain cleaning services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Should you not be completely happy with our work, we’ll make it right. Contact us today to guarantee your plumbing is in capable hands.