What Methods Are Used for Drain Cleaning?
Clogged drains can result in reduced water pressure, sewage backup and other hazards. Therefore, it’s critical to take care of a clog in a timely manner. Let’s take a look at some common drain cleaning techniques such as plunging, snaking and hydro jetting that can help to remove clogs in a safe, timely and affordable manner.
Plunging
A plunger can be an ideal tool to help with minor drain clogs such as a slow toilet or tub. However, it can theoretically be used on most pipes that are clogged, slow or otherwise not working as intended.
Plungers work by creating a vacuum seal around the toilet, sink or tub. When you press down on the plunger, it will hopefully create enough force to move the clog through the pipe.
The primary benefit of a plunger is that it is safe and effective for personal use in most cases. The primary downside to a plunger is that it can only move organic material, and it may not be effective against larger clogs or clogs located deeper in a drain.
Drain Snaking
Also known as an auger, a drain snake can be used to either catch and remove material or break it up inside of the pipe. For instance, let’s say that there is a mass of hair that is causing your tub to drain slowly or not all.
Instead of reaching your hand down the drain, you can put the auger line down there to grab and remove the hair. If the clog were caused by sediment or something else that has calcified while in the drain, the auger line can be rotated in an effort to break it into smaller pieces.
Auger lines range from just a few feet to dozens of feet depending on your needs. Therefore, it is often the most versatile and easy to use tool when dealing with deeper clogs or when dealing with material that you don’t want to touch yourself.
In most cases, you should be able to use an auger safely and effectively on your own. However, a professional will be happy to deal with the issue if you don’t feel comfortable using this drain backup busting tool.
Hydro Jetting
As the name suggests, hydro jetting involves using a concentrated stream of water to clear out grease, tree roots or other debris inside of a drain. This method of cleaning drains is typically reserved for clogs caused by months or years of grease, hair or other buildup that now cakes the inside of the pipe or deep sewer line problems.
It is also best for when tree roots or other larger items are blocking the drain. This is because a plunger or snake won’t be powerful enough to move or break up such a larger or sturdy object on its own. Instead, it will take the concentrated power of water being sprayed on it to do anything meaningful.
It’s important to note that hydro jetting should only be performed by a professional. A professional will have the tools needed to do the job safely, effectively and in a timely manner. If you try to do this yourself, there is a strong likelihood that you’ll damage pipes or cause other secondary issues.
Enzyme and Bio Cleaners
In some cases, getting rid of a clog or blockage can be as easy as dropping liquid cleaner down the drain. There are a number of products available that use enzymes and other natural ingredients to break down organic materials over a period of several hours or days.
The primary benefit of such a product is that minimal effort is required on your part. Typically, you just pour the product into the drain, wait a few minutes and then flush it out with water.
Of course, this only works if you’re dealing with organic material as opposed to a toy, car keys or other solid object. Furthermore, you’ll need to make sure that you can go several hours or days without flushing a toilet or running a faucet to give time for natural products to work.
Video Camera Inspection
It’s possible that you’ll use a plunger, auger or other removal techniques with little or no luck. At this point, you’ll need more powerful tools to find the source of the blockage and remove it properly.
A video camera can be placed deep into a drain line to determine exactly what the blockage is and where it’s located. After diagnosing the problem, a professional can then begin drain backup cleaningh service to remedy the issue quickly.
Methods to Avoid
The one drain cleaning method that you want to avoid whenever possible is the use of chemical products. Although it may help to remove some clogs, chemicals also have the potential to damage pipes and create hazardous fumes.
Furthermore, chemicals can linger on your sink, tub or other items that you and your family use on a regular basis. Therefore, you could be at risk of skin irritation or other serious issues if residual cleaner were to get in your eyes or in your mouth.
When to Call a Professional
Calling a professional is best if you don’t know where the clog is coming from or if you’ve been dealing with the problem for a long time. It may also be best to call for help if you don’t have the tools needed to remove a clog or clean your drains properly. Finally, don’t hesitate to call for assistance if you don’t have time or don’t have the confidence or experience to handle a plumbing issue on your own.
Sewage backup, foul odors and physical damage to pipes and other plumbing components are among the hazards associated with a clogged drain. If you are experiencing this or similar issues, don’t hesitate to call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today so that we can diagnose the issue. We’ll be at your home promptly, and if there is any delay, it is you we’ll pay for the inconvenience.