Cleaning out drains may seem like a very simple thing. You simply snake the drain and you’re done, right?
Well, not always.
It is true that there are times that cleaning out a drain is simple, but it is risky because one wrong move could damage the drain pipe.
Other times, the task of drain cleaning is not as simple as you may think. For example, you may be at your department store and you may browse the hardware section for products that clean out drains. The question is whether or not they work or if there is a catch. How effective are these home remedies that say you don’t need a professional drain cleaner? How about that auger you picked up at the local hardware store? Is it going to do the job?
There are many in the Twin Cities who find they need a Minneapolis drain cleaning company to help them out because the issue was much more complex than they thought or something went wrong during the cleaning process.
So what should you do if you decide to clean your drains yourself?
First, you have to do your homework on the topic. The wrong information could do harm to your drainage system. Make sure you know as much as possible so you can carry out the process in the easiest and safest way possible.
You also have to examine the drains to see what kind of pipe is involved and how it is set up. The drain pipe setup can help you determine the type of clog you have. It can assist you in choosing a cleaning method that is right for the drain. Choosing the wrong method can cause some serious issues with the drainage system and cause you to have a high repair bill.
You should also know what the drain cleaning methods are. There are chemical cleaners, boiling water flushes, baking soda and vinegar, plunging, and augering. The question you have to ask yourself is do you know what each of these methods do for the system and which will work? If you don’t, then there could be damage to the pipes. That is when you need to call a professional.
So what should you not do?
It is very important that you not use chemical drain cleaners. Yes, the foaming action places pressure on the clog to try and clear it from the drain, but the chemicals can react with the pipes and cause serious damage. These chemicals can even cause damage to your septic system and other components of the drainage system. They are effective at removing clogs, but they are not safe.
Another no-no is to jump into a drain cleaning project without thoroughly assessing the issue. This can just lead to a great deal of frustration, such as what you feel when you use a plunger on a clog and it doesn’t work. Other times, improper or incomplete assessment can lead to pipe damage.
If you find that the clog is beyond your ability, what you should do is opt for professional assistance. That way you can ensure the pipe is not damaged. Plus, you save a great deal of time.
