The 2 Best Ways To Fix a Clogged Drain - And One Way to Make Things Worse
Clogged drains. Everyone has experienced one at some point. They always happen in most inopportune times, and they often bring everything to a grinding halt. Whether it’s the sink, toilet, or shower drain, a clogged drain isn’t any fun to deal with. But many homeowners have their favorite ways of dealing with clogs. They don’t realize that the wrong drain clearing options are often harming the pipe. And, depending on the option, the pipe may not even become fully unclogged, making problems for the whole system down the line.
Luckily, there are better ways to clean drains. Read on to find out what they are!
The Plumber’s Snake
The plumber’s snake, also often called a drain auger or a drain snake, has been used to great effect for clearing drains for almost 100 years. Invented in 1933, these tools are flexible coils of metal attached to an auger. The flexible metal can be fed down the drain while the auger helps facilitate this, twisting the coil as it goes to clear out any blockages in the pipe.
These plumber’s snakes are available both in manual and electric form. Many professional plumbers use the electric versions, while many homeowners own manual ones for minor blockages. Some can cut through tough blockages, such as tree roots, while others can only break through the drain blockage. Still, others can pull out clogs instead of breaking them up in the drainpipe.
Hydro-Jetting the Drain
One big drawback of the plumber’s snake is that it can damage old or degraded drain pipes. This is one reason why hydro-jetting has become the best and most efficient method for clearing drains today. Hydro-jetting is the process of shooting a high-powered stream of water down the drain, which breaks clogs apart and forces them to flow down and out of the pipe.
And while plumber’s snakes do a pretty good job of unclogging major clogs in drain pipes, they can often leave residue along the walls of the pipe, which can cause further clogs before too long. Hydro-jetting gets rid of this problem by cleaning the inside of the pipe thoroughly. This is why hydro-jetting is the most effective way to clear a blocked drain.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Last on the list is the least effective and most harmful option for clearing drains. While these liquid drain cleaners are cheap and readily available, they’re also doing untold harm to both the pipes and the environment. The caustic chemicals inside the cleaners can degrade the pipes over time, causing leaks if used too often. These same chemicals can end up in the water table, which can cause environmental damage.
Homeowners with drain clogs should opt for using a plumber’s snake or, even better, hydro-jetting performed by a professional plumber for best results.
About Oak Plumbing
The experts at Oak Plumbing have over 20 years of experience serving Benicia, CA and surrounding areas. They are A+ Rated and Diamond Certified. They offer upfront pricing and personalized options. Contact Oak Plumbing for drain cleaning.