It’s that dreaded statement no one wants to hear: the drain is clogged again. There are a variety of ways to unclog the drain yourself quickly. However, if the clog won’t budge, or you don’t know what is causing the clog, then it’s time to call the professionals.
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DIY Drain Snake Options
Drain snakes are tools used to unclog minor drains. They can either come as a plastic snake or hefty metal coils connected to a power tool. Each one can handle a different kind of clog.
Plastic Drain Snakes
For hair accumulation and shallow drain clogs, plastic drain snakes work best. These are often called hand snakes and are great when you want to avoid scratching porcelain. These snakes are great in an emergency. They’re small and light compared to a power drain snake, making them easy to use. Because they are made of plastic, these drain snakes usually only cost a few dollars. Plus, they can be found at most hardware stores. The downside of this drain snake is that it can only clear clogs about three feet deep due to its size.
Powered Drain Snakes
For clogs that are further up the drain and more extreme, the flexible metal drain snakes attached to a power tool work the best. You can set it to go forward or in reverse to get rid of the clog that is blocking your drain. While these tools work efficiently, they do have a higher price tag—they can run anywhere from $250 to $1,000. But if you are looking for the most efficient option when it comes to drain cleaning, powered drain snakes are the way to go. However, if you don’t know how to use a powered drain snake, you run the risk of damaging your pipes. If you’re unsure how to use this tool or are concerned about damaging your pipes, just give us a call. Our professionals will take care of it.
Other DIY Options
There are alternatives to using drain snakes. Chemical cleaners and plungers are more common and easier to handle.
Chemical Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners can come in the form of foam, gel, or liquid. They all essentially act the same way. The chemicals will break down the hair, dirt, or any other blockage that stands in the way of your drain doing its job. Chemicals are aggressive at destroying the clogs—sometimes they can be too aggressive. If you have older pipes, these chemicals can eat away at your pipes and cause a bigger problem than you already have. Drain cleaning chemicals can be hazardous to the environment. When the chemicals leave your sewer system, they will contaminate the surrounding waters which causes damage to wildlife. If you have children or pets, drain cleaning materials must always be kept up and away to ensure they are out of reach as they can be hazardous if consumed.
Plungers
Plungers are the tried-and-true tool for getting rid of clogs. While majority of plungers are used for toilets, there are specific ones made for sinks and drains. Plungers are great in a jam, but they only work on very minor clogs.
Calling the professionals
There are several reasons why you might want to call the professionals instead of DIYing the project.
-unable to fix the clog
-unable to locate the clog
-Not wanting to damage your plumbing pipes
Our experienced technicians have the tools, skills, and experience to unclog any drain without destroying any of your plumbing system. If at any point you do not feel comfortable attempting to unclog your drain on your own, give us a call and we are happy to help.
To have a technician come out to unclog your drain, schedule an appointment online or give us a call at 812-339-9114.
