Close-up of a sink drain with water flowing, illustrating common plumbing issues related to blocked drains.

2 Solutions To a Cured Drain - And 1 "Fix" To Avoid!

How To Fix a Home’s Blocked Drain

There is nothing more annoying than a slow drain. When it takes forever for a tub to drain or a sink to empty, it’s tempting to grab a bucket of declogger and call it quits. But, homeowners should know that there’s a right and a wrong way to clear a blocked drain - and many people do it wrong. Find out the best ways to clear a clogged drain at home, and one method to avoid whenever possible! 

The Simple Fix: Drain SnakingPerson using a drain snake to clear a clogged sink, wearing blue gloves, illustrating the drain snaking process discussed in home plumbing maintenance.

A plumber’s most common call generally involves clogged drains. When fixing a clog, they usually reach for the reliable old drain snake to get the job done. Those unfamiliar with the term drain snakes may recognize the other name for the tool: a drain auger.

Snaking a drain requires sliding the long, metal wire of the auger through the pipe. The plumber then turns the crank, either by hand or with a motor, spinning the wire inside the pipe. The wire spins quickly, breaking up any debris or clogs in the pipe.

Benefits of Drain Snaking

Drain snaking is an affordable process for removing clogs in a drain. Most drain snaking visits take only an hour or so and can solve a vast majority of drain clogs. Additionally, it utilizes no chemicals to remove the clogs. 

The Powerful Solution: Hydro-JettingHydro-jetting tool with pressurized water streams, illustrating a powerful method for clearing stubborn clogs in plumbing systems.

When a home faces stubborn or hard-to-access clogs in the pipes, a plumber usually brings out the hydro-jetting

Think of the hydro-jetter as a super-powered hose designed to clear clogs from a drain. The plumber slides the hydro-jetter into the drain and releases a constant stream of pressurized water through the plumbing, effectively breaking up any clogs. 

Benefits of Hydro-jetting

Hydro-jetting is a non-invasive way to clear out years of gunk from a home’s plumbing. Hydro-jetting can clean an entire home’s plumbing system from a single point in the line. It also cleans more effectively than drain snaking. 

The Wrong Solution: Liquid Drain Cleaners

The average homeowner probably faces a clogged tub with one solution: liquid drain cleaners. But, unfortunately, the use of liquid drain cleaners can worsen the state of a home’s drains. 

Why Are Liquid Drain Cleaners Bad for Pipes?

Liquid drain cleaners use corrosive materials to break down debris and clogs in a home’s pipes. Common ingredients include bleach and lye. The substances in liquid drain cleaners can build up along the pipes over time, creating a chemical cocktail that can eat through the metal of the pipes. 

The Risks of Liquid Drain Cleaners

There’s more to liquid drain cleaners than just their risk to pipes. The highly corrosive ingredients can burn the skin of any individuals exposed to them, including any plumber working to fix a clogged drain or broken pipe. In addition, exposure to these materials can dissolve skin, and if they get in someone’s eyes, it can lead to blindness.

For homeowners experiencing a slow, clogged drain, give a professional plumber a call. They’ll know what the best solution is to remove the clog safely and quickly, without the use of dangerous chemicals.

Trust About Plumbing Inc.

When a home needs quality plumbing care, look no further than the helpful team at About Plumbing Inc. Their experts have decades of experience solving even the most complex plumbing problems. Homeowners can trust their experts to arrive on time and provide only the best solutions for their plumbing projects. Contact them today for drain cleaning in Barnhart, MO!