If you're only dealing with a minor drain issue, you may be able to take care of it yourself without needing to hire a plumber. Using a sink or toilet plunger can sometimes clear a clog, but it usually won't be effective if there's a major blockage. If your shower or tub isn't draining or drains slowly, it usually means the drain is clogged with hair. In this case, all you often need to do is use a plastic drain tool or needle-nose pliers to remove the hair safely without scratching the drain. Pouring a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can also sometimes help eliminate light buildup and drain odors, but it is not a substitute for true drain cleaning. Other than these things, most other drain issues should be handled by a professional due to the risk of making things worse or damaging your plumbing. Let's look at the methods plumbers use for drain cleaning.

Drain Snaking

One of the most effective options for tackling a stubborn clog is using a pipe snake or drain auger. Plumbers typically use a mechanical or powered snake or auger, which is much more effective than the basic manual snakes you can find at almost any home improvement store.

A mechanical snake has a rotating bit or auger that's connected to a long, flexible cable. To clear the clog, the plumber feeds the snake down through the pipe. When the bit hits the obstruction, it cuts through and loosens everything. The plumber will also have the water running when using the snake so that all of the solids get washed away once broken up.

One issue with trying to use a manual snake to clear a clog yourself is that you can just end up pushing the blockage further down the pipe to where it's then out of reach of the snake. If you're not careful or use too much force, you could also crack or break the pipe and need to pay for much more extensive and costly repairs. Another concern is that the snake could get stuck, in which case you may need to have a plumber cut out part of the pipe to remove the snake.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is a great alternative to snaking a drain in certain situations, such as if there's a clog in a location that can't be reached with a snake. It's also useful if there's an issue that can't be fixed with traditional drain cleaning, as it cleans out the pipe much more thoroughly.

The process involves using a specialized high-pressure water jetting system designed for plumbing lines. The plumber feeds a nozzle connected to a long hose down through the pipe, and powerful jets of water work to break through the clog and scour the inside of the pipe clean. Hydro jetting systems typically operate between 1,500 and 4,000 PSI, which makes them extremely effective for eliminating clogs caused by fat, grease, or mineral deposits. It's also the best option for getting rid of tree roots inside a sewer line or removing major sewer clogs that result from flushing items like wet wipes, feminine sanitary products, paper towels, cat litter, and other debris.

The only concern with hydro jetting is that the jets of water can be powerful enough to break or crack pipes, resulting in major damage. This is especially the case if the plumber doesn't know what they're doing and sets the pressure on the jetting machine too high, which is why it's essential that you hire a reputable, experienced plumbing company for this service.

Older pipes that are brittle or have extensive rust and corrosion are much more prone to damage from hydro jetting. That's why it's important that the plumber first performs a video camera inspection to determine the condition of the drain pipe and whether they can safely hydro jet it without risking any potential damage. If there is any risk of damage, snaking the drain is the much safer option.

Because hydro jetting completely scours the inside of pipes, it can also serve as an excellent preventative measure that helps you avoid future clogs. Having your drains and sewer line hydro jetted every year or two can significantly reduce the chance of major blockages that require emergency plumbing service.

Why You Should Never Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

Almost any plumber you ask will tell you that they'd absolutely never use any type of chemical drain cleaner in their own home and for good reason. Despite what the companies that manufacture these products claim, drain cleaners aren't safe for plumbing due to how incredibly harsh and corrosive the chemicals they contain are. You may not encounter problems if you only use drain cleaner one time. However, repeated use can do extensive damage to your drain pipes and sewer line and lead to a costly repair bill.

All drain cleaners contain either strong acidic chemicals, usually hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, or alkaline (basic) chemicals such as lye. Each type works to clear clogs and obstructions in different ways.

Acidic drain cleaners work by eating through and dissolving organic materials like grease, fat, food scraps, hair, toilet paper, and human waste. The issue is that the acid is strong enough that it can also start eating through PVC or metal pipes, weakening them and increasing the chances of them leaking.

Alkaline drain cleaners produce a chemical reaction when they mix with water. This reaction releases an extreme amount of heat that causes substances like fat, grease, and soap scum to melt. This heat can lead to PVC pipes softening and warping. It can also cause the glue used to connect the pipes to deteriorate, potentially resulting in a connection coming loose and starting to leak. Lye-based drain cleaners are especially dangerous to use on old galvanized pipes, as lye reacts with certain metals like zinc to produce flammable hydrogen gas.

The Importance of Prompt Drain Cleaning

When dealing with any type of drain issue, it's important that you tackle it as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem will almost always lead to it getting worse and potentially costing you more money to fix it. For instance, a major clog can cause a pipe to suddenly break or burst due to the pressure of all of the water trapped inside it.

If you're experiencing drain issues throughout your house, it usually indicates that there's a problem with your sewer line, such as a partial blockage. Waiting to get a sewer line issue fixed will often eventually result in the line backing up to the point where sewage starts coming out of some of your drains any time you use your plumbing.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® in Ann Arbor, our expert plumbers are always ready to assist you with tackling any plumbing, drain, or sewer issues. We offer drain cleaning and will make sure any problems get fixed properly. We're also available 24/7 to promptly handle any emergencies. To schedule drain cleaning or any other plumbing service, contact us today.