When drainage problems strike in your home, what is the best drain cleaning solution to fix them? Should you reach for a DIY solution, or are you better off getting a professional plumber to look at the issues in your plumbing? This brief guide as noted by Estate Home Management will answer those questions.
DIY drain cleaning solutions: what are they and when should you use them?
DIY drain cleaning solutions are based on items that are already in your home, or you can easily get from a store shelf. They can be used by anyone; you don’t need special training or licensing to use them in your home. DIY drain cleaning solutions include methods like:
Baking soda and vinegar/dish soap and hot water/hot water
This method deploys a range of common items in the home as tools for cleaning a blocked drain. The main challenge with all of them is their limited effectiveness; they only work for blockages that are not located deep inside the drainage pipes. These methods are best used to clear sink, shower, and bathtub drains as soon as they happen and as a stop-gap measure before contacting a plumber in Oak Park, IL.
Plungers
These are the oldest and also one of the best DIY drain cleaning methods. A plunger uses suction force to dislodge clogs from your drainage system. They are cheap, easy to use, and safe. As long as the clog is not consolidated inside the pipes and it is near the drain opening, this is a great method for clearing a blocked drain.
Handheld drain snakes or augers
These are the most effective DIY tools for clogs that are farther down your drain. Manual versions can go as far as 25 feet into the drainage pipes. But motorized versions may be able to go as far as 50 feet into the drain pipes. Knowing how to use these tools is an essential skill for all homeowners. However, they are not equipped to deal with major clogs, such as those that happen deep inside your sewer line.
Chemical drain cleaners
These are the absolutely worst DIY drain cleaning methods on this list. Chemical drain cleaners don’t just harm your pipes; they also don’t remove the clogs inside your drains. They only exacerbate the problems over time. Unless they are enzymatic or eco-friendly, never use a chemical drain cleaner in your home.
Professional drain cleaning methods: what they are, and when to use them
These are methods used by professional plumbers to tackle the drainage issues in homes. The most commonly used methods include:
Sewer rodding
This drain cleaning method uses a flexible rod and a stainless steel cutting-head to clear blockages inside your drains. The line is connected to a powerful motor that spins it while inside the pipes, amplifying its ability to cut through and dislodge every kind of clog. Sewer rodding will remove the toughest clogs, even if they are located deep inside your drainage pipes and sewer system.
Hydro jetting
The primary agent used in this method is high-pressure water. To clear a clogged drain, a high-pressure water hose with a stainless-steel nozzle is inserted into the pipes. The other end of the hose is connected to a jetter, which is used to send water at very high pressures into the clogged line. This stream of water is powerful enough to blast through any clog inside the line.
Sewer camera inspection
This is not a drain cleaning method but a diagnostic tool for ensuring the effectiveness of professional drain cleaning. A sewer camera inspection is done to determine the type of clog inside your drainage system, its location, and the best cleaning method for solving the problem. Sewer camera inspections are also used as a strategy for preventing clogs and blockages.
When should you use professional drain cleaning methods?
Professional drain cleaning methods are best used in the following scenarios:
- Chronic clogs: If, after trying to clear a clog using DIY methods, the problem doesn’t go away, use one of the professional drain cleaning methods listed here.
- Clogs that are deep inside the drain: If the clog is deep inside your drainage system, a professional drain cleaning method is the better option.
- Preventive drain cleaning: Professional drain cleaning methods can be used as a preventive strategy to stop clogs and blockages from happening inside your drainage pipes and sewer system.
- Tree roots, sludge, and scale: If your drainpipes are blocked with tree roots, sludge, or scale, DIY drain cleaning methods will not remove them. Only a professional drain-cleaning method will.
To conclude, when should you use a DIY drain cleaning method versus professional drain cleaning methods? DIY drain cleaning solutions such as handheld drain snakes and augers are the right choice if you are dealing with a clog near the opening of your drain.
Professional drain cleaning methods, on the other hand, are the perfect choice for blockages that are deep inside the drainpipes and sewer line. Professional drain cleaning methods are also the preferred choice when minimizing the risk of clogs happening in your drainage system.
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Are you in need of professional drain cleaning in Oak Park, IL? We can help! Call us today at 708-801-6530.
