The drains in your home are tasked with an extensive list of responsibilities.

When they’re not working properly, the resulting clogs can put a damper on your otherwise productive day.

Just when you think you’ve solved the problem yourself, you’re in the midst of a gurgling shower drain and a hefty bill to remedy the problem.

Before you attempt to deal with the problem yourself and pick up the chemical drain cleaners, be aware of these common drain cleaning myths:

Myth #1: Chemicals are the most effective way to clear a clogged drain.

Fact: Not only are certain drain cleaning chemicals bad for your health, they can actually make the clog worse! The chemicals can sit atop clogs and potentially corrode your pipes. Before long, you’ll be wondering how much you’re going to spend on a pipe replacement.

Drain cleaning chemicals can burn your skin and produce harmful fumes. Especially if you have children in your home, ditching the chemicals is a no-brainer. If you are going to opt for a drain cleaner, try BioBen®, a safer, natural alternative. Or, if you’d rather save yourself from a potentially time-consuming process, call your local plumber.

Myth #2: Drain cleaning is a DIY project.

Fact: Just because you have a tool belt doesn’t mean you have the expertise to tackle a serious situation. A clogged drain may not seem like a big deal, but it’s tough to determine the condition of something you can’t see. When you improperly use any tools or chemicals, you could be causing more harm than good and have to pay a professional to cover up your mistakes.

If you’re not equipped to handle a major drain clog, let the specialists with the proper tools handle it for you. It may seem less expensive to just do it yourself, but you could be spending more money in the long run if you create a larger problem and have to replace a fixture.

Myth #3: A slow-flowing drain can be dealt with later.

Fact: A slow-flowing drain still works, right? If you’re riding that train of thought, you’ll jump off pretty quickly when the water overflows and the bathroom begins to flood.

Even is your drain is still working, it should be fixed right away if it’s not working properly or water is flowing slowly. The root of the problem could be more extensive than you think, and waiting around could make the problem worse. Your plumbing requires continuous maintenance, and combating a slowly flowing drain is no exception.

Have you encountered a clogged drain or other plumbing issue? Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Dallas. Our experts have the tools and knowledge to deal with your clogged drain, and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a service.