Unclogging your own drain and saving the cost of a plumber may seem like a great idea. However, if you are not careful, your DIY drain cleaning attempts will do more harm than good. Hiring a professional plumber with proven experience is the only way to avoid drain cleaning mishaps. If you do decide to try and clean your drain yourself, here are some things to avoid:
- Augers: Drain augers, which are commonly used while ‘snaking’ a drain to clear a clog, are dangerous if you don’t know exactly what you are doing. A drain auger can easily damage your pipes, and it simply will not work well on large piping.
- A Hose: If you think your own garden hose can be a substitute for professional hydro-jetting services, you are wrong. Flushing your drains with water from a garden hose could create more hassle and damage.
- Coat Hangers: Bending a coat hanger and digging it down your drain is the perfect solution to removing a ball of hair or other clog, right? Wrong! Not only is this ineffective in most cases, but your hanger could potentially get stuck in your drain and cause a more costly problem.
- Chemical Drain Cleaners: Many chemical drain cleaners are not made to handle solid obstruction. They will also create mess and become a safety hazard if not careful.
- Disassembling Pipes: This should be an obvious one, but only a professional should attempt to disassemble your pipes to find an obstruction.
Saving money on cleaning your drains may sound honorable; yet when more damage is done and the plumbing bill has doubled or tripled, you may be regretting your decision. A reliable plumbing service can clean and inspect your pipes on a yearly basis to ensure a clogged drain doesn’t get you in over your head.