If you’re dealing with a clogged drain, you might try fixing it yourself with a plunger or some elbow grease. Sometimes, that works. But when the sink still won’t drain, or the shower water keeps pooling around your feet, it’s time to face the facts: you may need professional help. Some clogs are just too stubborn for DIY fixes. That’s where professional plumbers step in. But how do plumbers clean drains, and why is their method often more effective?
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how plumbers clean drains, the tools they use, and why some drain cleaning methods are best left to the pros.
Why Clogged Drains Are More Than a DIY Project
Before we can discuss how plumbers clean drains, it’s helpful to understand why certain clogs can be so tricky. Everyday debris like food scraps, hair, grease, and soap scum accumulate in your drains over time, leading to slow drains and eventually full-on blockages. While you might have some success with a plunger or chemical drain cleaner, more severe drain clogs require professional-grade tools and experience.
What’s worse is that many household attempts to unclog drains can actually cause more harm than good. Pouring harsh chemicals down your pipes could damage the plumbing, especially if you have an older system. Plus, those “quick fixes” only treat the symptom, not the root cause of the clog. Professional plumbers can identify and fix the problem for good, so you don’t have to deal with constant backups.
Common Drain Cleaning Methods Used by Plumbers
Professional plumbers use a variety of drain cleaning tools that most homeowners don’t have access to. These tools are designed to handle minor clogs and major drainage issues. Here’s a look at the most common tools professional plumbers use to unclog drains:
Manual Drain Snakes
One of the oldest and most effective tools plumbers use to unclog drains is the manual drain snake. This is essentially a long, flexible metal cable that can be pushed down the drain to break up or pull out clogs. It’s particularly useful for sink drains and other smaller drain lines.
The plumber will twist and maneuver the snake through the pipes until it reaches the blockage. Once there, they’ll either pull the clog out or break it up into smaller pieces that can be flushed down the drain. Manual drain snakes are excellent for smaller drain clogs, such as hair in bathroom drains or food debris in the kitchen drain.
Drain Augers
Drain augers are similar to drain snakes but come in various sizes to tackle different types of clogs. Plumbers might use smaller augers for bathroom sinks or larger ones for more severe clogs in toilet bowls or shower drains. With the right type of auger, plumbers can break through even the most persistent clogs without damaging the drain pipes.
Motorized Drain Augers
A step up from the manual drain snake is the motorized drain auger. This tool works similarly to its manual counterpart but provides extra power and reach. The motorized version is perfect for tough clogs, including those deep in the drain lines or sewer lines. Professional plumbers use motorized drain augers for serious blockages that would be impossible to reach with manual tools.
These motorized tools are essential for more significant drainage issues, such as sewer clogs or toilet clogs, where manual methods just won’t cut it. They can break through anything from compacted hair to grease buildups, keeping your drain system functioning efficiently.
Video Pipe Inspections
Sometimes, plumbers need to see what’s going on deep inside your pipes, and this is where video pipe inspection equipment comes into play. Using a small, waterproof camera attached to a flexible rod, plumbers can inspect your pipes from the inside, identifying not only clogs but also any damage to the pipe walls that may need repair.
This method is incredibly helpful when dealing with recurring clogs or broken pipes. It allows plumbers to diagnose the problem accurately and decide on the best drain opening methods.
Hydro Jetting
One of the most effective and eco-friendly ways to clean drains is through hydro jetting. This method uses highly pressurized water to blast through clogs and clean the insides of your pipes. It’s powerful enough to remove not just debris but also years of accumulated buildup, like grease, soap scum, and even mineral deposits on your pipe walls.
While chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes over time, hydro jetting is a safe and highly effective alternative. It’s ideal for clearing out stubborn blockages and sewer clogs while keeping your drain system intact.
When Do You Need Professional Drain Cleaning?
So, how do you know when it’s time to stop DIYing and call a plumber? Here are some signs that a clog may be beyond your control:
- Recurring clogs: If you’ve used a plunger, drain snake, or chemical drain cleaner, but the clog keeps coming back, it’s time to call in the pros.
- Foul odors: If you notice a persistent bad smell coming from your drains, it could indicate a more serious blockage or buildup in the pipes.
- Multiple slow drains: If more than one fixture in your home, like the kitchen sink and the shower drain, is slow to empty, the problem could be deeper in the plumbing system.
- Gurgling sounds: If you hear unusual noises when flushing the toilet or draining a sink, there might be a blockage in the main drain line or sewer line.
- Standing water: If water is not draining at all, you likely have a major clog that requires professional drain cleaning.
Dangers of DIY Drain Cleaning
It’s tempting to try to unclog drains yourself, but doing so can lead to bigger problems. As we mentioned, many store-bought chemical drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can erode your pipes and damage your plumbing system over time. Plus, using the wrong tools or techniques can make the problem worse.
For example, using a drain snake incorrectly could push the clog deeper into the drain line, making it even harder to remove. And while pouring boiling water or baking soda down the drain might help with minor clogs, it won’t fix major drainage issues.
Professional plumbers have the tools and expertise required to clean your drains; they also understand how to do so without damaging your pipes. This is especially important if you have an older home or a septic system that needs extra care.
Schedule Drain Cleaning Services in New Orleans Today!
So, how do plumbers clean drains? As you can see, there are several drain cleaning methods that professional plumbers rely on to clear clogs, depending on the severity of the blockage and the type of drain. These methods include motorized drain snakes and hydro jetting, among others.
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