There are a few things you should be careful of when you hire someone to clean your drains: from the plumber taping up the drain, not getting it done properly and losing money in the process. Here is some advice on how to avoid these pitfalls!
The Importance Of Drain Cleaning
Drain cleaning is one of those routine home chores that is all too frequently overlooked. Poor drain care may result in unpleasant smells, unsightly blockages, and even damage to your home’s pipes.
Proper drain cleaning can spare you from some nasty & expensive plumbing problems later on. However, all too many homeowners make a few basic mistakes that end up costing them hundreds of dollars or more later on.
Knowing what these blunders are might assist you in avoiding them when it comes to your own plumbing.
4 Drain Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid
Mistake No. 1: Using Too Many Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners often promote that they will save you money on a plumbing visit, but they are frequently the source of a costly repair. While it’s true that a bottle of drain cleaner may eat away at a blockage in your drain or toilet, it’s also crucial to consider how they do so.
To remove clogs of hair and other non-water soluble debris, these cleansers employ severe chemical reactions. The trouble is that if you use these chemicals too frequently or in the improper quantity, they might eat away at your drain pipes as well as the blockage you were wanting to remove.
This results in damaged pipes, leaks, and other issues that are much more serious than a blocked pipe.
The Better Alternative:
Rather than depending on chemical drain cleaners, use a drain snake (also known as a drain auger) to break up the blockage or prevent one from forming in the first place. A solution of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar may also work to remove a blockage while being less damaging to your drain pipes.
Mistake #2: Stuffing More Stuff Down The Drain
In rare circumstances, it may be tempting to make your own drain cleaning tool by straightening a coat hanger or utilizing a broom handle. However, if the homemade instrument is utilized incorrectly, it might create more issues than it solves.
Pushing against the clog may not break it up; instead, you may wind up pushing it further down the drain, making it much more difficult to clear. If you snag a bit of the clog with the coat hanger’s hook and pull it out, the coat hanger approach could work, but it will need the clog to be pretty near to the drain opening.
Additionally, ramming a clog free with a broom handle or other rigid improvised pole risks just damaging the pipe. Using purpose-built equipment and following their directions to remove blockages is safer and more successful than improvising a solution.
If you can’t remove a blockage with a drain snake or plunger on your own, get expert assistance before the drain floods your property.
Mistake #3: Dumping The Wrong Stuff Down The Drain
Avoiding dumping the incorrect stuff down the drain in the first place is one of the greatest methods to maintain your drain pipes in excellent operating order.
However, far too many homeowners throw away any or all of the following items without hesitation:
- Hair is a major problem for drains, from men’s hair stubble in the bathroom sink to long strands of hair that naturally come out in the shower. Hair is difficult to disintegrate or biodegrade, making it the heart of many clogs and fatbergs. Hair traps/covers for bathroom sinks and tubs are a good idea.
- Wipes that are “flushable.” So-called “flushable” wipes have been blamed for millions of dollars in sewage system damage all around the globe. The city of New York, for example, “has spent more than $18 million on wipe-related equipment issues in the previous five years,” according to the New York Times, since wet wipes “do not degrade the way standard toilet paper does.”
- Grease for cooking. The following is a frequent blockage that kills kitchen sinks. Grease and oil that is poured down the drain may attach to the walls of your pipes, reducing flow and making it easier to clog.
- Fat, cartilage, and bone from animals. Although the trash disposal may shred certain food, it’s better to avoid putting leftover ribs, bones, and flesh down the drain. Cartilage, fibrous animal tissue, and fat add to solid, difficult-to-clear blockages, while bones may harm the disposal’s blades.
- Wrappers made of plastic and paper products. Something as substantial as a plastic wrapper should never be poured down the toilet. Stretch wrap film may quickly block pipes, requiring expert help (and perhaps partial pipe disassembly) to remove. Even paper towels and other paper goods (such as the aforementioned “flushable” wipes) might clog if they stay firm in the pipe.
Mistake #4: Failure To Inspect The Drainage
Early detection is a must for preventing the worst sewer & drain problems. The problem is that kitchen & bathroom drain fixtures are often an afterthought in home maintenance. Most people don’t even think to check their drains unless there’s already a clog or particularly foul odor.
Set aside a day each month, such as the first Saturday of the month, to do a short inspection of your home’s drains. Examine each drain in the home, paying attention to how fast water drains, if there is an odor, and whether the pipes beneath sinks are discolored or rusted.
Have a comprehensive inspection done by an experienced expert once a year. A professional will have the instruments and knowledge to discover problems that you may not be able to see on your own, especially in regions where visual examination of your pipes is difficult or impossible.
A clogged or overflowing drain may be symptoms of a much larger issue related to your sewage line. You can find out more in our post 7 Symptoms Of A Broken Sewer Line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why you shouldnt use drain cleaners?
A: Drain cleaners contain chemicals that can create harmful fumes. They are often not labeled properly and the caustic nature of these products leads them to destroy surfaces when they come into contact with other substances, like laundry water and human skin.
How do you clean a clogged drain safely and effectively?
A: You need to use a plunger or something like that. You could also try using (S)OAP and boiling water, but I would recommend the latter in this case because it is more effective at unclogging drains.
The “drain cleaner tool” is a device that is used to clean clogged drains. It can be used on all types of drains, but it needs to be handled carefully in order to avoid damaging the pipes.
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