The Complete Guide to Residential Drain Cleaning

Three Common Methods for Clearing Drains 

Besides a literal toolbox, homeowners also need a symbolic toolbox of knowledge and experience to help them troubleshoot problems that inevitably arise around the house. That symbolic toolbox is essential for fixing drain problems around the house. 

This article contains some advice from local drain cleaning experts to help homeowners deal with their drain problems and know when to call for help from a professional drain cleaning service. 

DIY Drain Cleaning Methods for Homeowners

• Pour Hot Water Down the Drain: This classic method is to pour boiling water down the drain, but boiling is too hot with PVC pipes. Near-boiling water is plenty hot enough to loosen clogs without warping the plastic pipes. 

• Vinegar and Baking Soda: This potent combination bubbles away touch clogs, including grease clogs and hair tangles. Using this method every few months is also a great way to keep drains clean. 

But remember to:

• Avoid Chemical Cleaners: Most professionals recommend avoiding harsh chemical drain cleaners commonly found in hardware stores. These products are dangerous and can ruin certain types of piping. 

Problems That Require Drain Snakes

If DIY drain cleaning strategies don’t work to alleviate drain problems, it’s time to escalate efforts with another standard household tool. Small, manual drain snakes are excellent for feeding into sink and tub drains to remove hair and debris clogs. Try using drain snakes to remove tough clogs but remember that most clogs aren’t that far away from the drain opening, so homeowners should never push a drain snake into a drain line too deep. 

Professionals will need to be called if the drain clog is more profound, like down in the sewer. Professional drain cleaning services will respond with a larger version of a pipe snake called a drain auger. Drain augers are potent devices that clean sewer lines of nasty clogs and invasive tree roots. Usually, quick use of the drain auger is all it takes to restore a drain line to service. 

Benefits of Hydrojetting Sewer Lines

DIY remedies and drain augers are excellent methods of correcting clogged drains, but they aren’t always the best solution. In some cases, drain cleaning professionals will recommend a service called hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to knock away clogs while powerful jets scrub the pipe's interior walls. 

Hydro jetting is an excellent strategy for preventing blocked sewer mains. When hydro jetting is done regularly before drain lines are entirely clogged, the inside of the pipes stay clean, making them less likely to stop. 

About Plumb Perfect Plumbing

Plumbing problems never adhere to a schedule. That’s why Plumb Perfect Plumbing is available seven days a week for service. They have over 20 years of experience and provide flat-rate pricing and financing, and their highly trained plumbers are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Call them today for drain cleaning services in Fredericksburg, VA.

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