Plumbing problems and their drain cleaning mistakes are common household issues, says Action Properties, and one of the most common plumbing problems is a clogged or slow moving drain. Blockage of the drain is caused by solids and semi-solid materials in the wastewater flowing through your drain pipes. Home drains are not designed to take any other solids except human waste, toilet paper and small food particles.
They can range anywhere from FOGs (fats, oils and grease) to diapers, soap scum, human or pet hair, small toys, coffee grinds, wipes, eggshells, starchy foods, sanitary products, and more. All of these cause problems in the drains; the issue may be a small clog that is easily removed or as severe as a backed-up sewer line.
Whatever the cause of the drain or sewer issue in your home, you will find a way to solve it.
Nevertheless, the way you do it matters. Your fix will either solve the problem or push it into the future when it might be more expensive. To avoid this, you should be aware of these errors homeowners make when cleaning the drains in their home.
Typical mistakes homeowners make when cleaning their drains and sewers
Utilization of harsh chemical drain cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners offer an easy way to open clogged drains, but they are a temporary solution that might create long-term problems. Drain cleaners contain harsh corrosives that liquefy the clog in a pipe. They burn a hole through the clog but leave most of it still intact. The clog eventually comes back and with greater intensity. Chemical drain cleaners also damage pipes because their corrosives do not differentiate between the plumbing and the clog in them.
Poking the clog with homemade tools
Homeowners are typically encouraged to remove blockages in their home drains using homemade tools like a clothes hanger bent into an auger. These tools can be helpful if the item clogging the drain is visible, and you can observe what your homemade tool is accomplishing. Homemade augers or drain snakes, as well as other homemade tools, can damage your drain by poking holes in pipes or dislodging pipe connections. If you stick something like wood down your drain, it will break off and create additional problems.
Incorrect use of augers
Augers and drain snakes work well for removing clogs if they are close to the end of a drain. But to get their benefits, you must use them appropriately and be using the right size of auger or snake. There is a right and wrong way to utilize augers and snakes. Avoid forceful and jerky movements, such as prodding and yanking. Turn the tool slowly and evenly inside the drain. Additionally, an auger or snake that is too small can get stuck inside the drain, whereas if it is too large, it can cause leaks in the plumbing. Solving problems temporarily
Solving problems temporarily
What you have achieved might be only a reprieve. That is what DIY drain-cleaning techniques like using chemical cleansers and store-bought drain snakes do. They don’t pull out the clog from your pipes; they bore a hole in the clog where water can pass. The material that is causing the clog is still in the pipes and will continue to hamper the flow of water through your pipes. That makes the drains easier to clog and leak. Using a plunger the wrong way
Using a plunger in the wrong way
Firstly, there are two types of drain plungers; sink plungers (which have a bell shape) and toilet plungers (which come with a flange). Using the right plunger for the right drain will determine the tool’s effectiveness. Another issue when using a plunger is knowing how to use it properly. Plungers work only when there is a tight seal between the plunger and the drain that is being cleaned. The seal creates the suction that enables the plunger to pull out the material blocking the drain. The inappropriate use of the plunger can push the obstruction into the drain.
Failing or delaying to call a plumber
You should know which drain issues in your home that can be solved by you and which ones require the attention of a plumber. Unless you are a professional plumber, your home’s drains will eventually need the attention of a professional. Timing is critical when hiring a plumber. You can call the expert when issues are minimal and easy to fix or wait until your drain problems become major issues that cost a ton of money to solve if you need professional hydro jetting service.
Always keep in mind that the ultimate goal of using DIY solutions for plumbing issues is to save time and money. Remember that you lose time and money when your DIY solutions cause even worse plumbing problems.
