Say Goodbye to Blocked Drains
Blocked drains are the bane of many a household. Whether it's the bathroom, toilet, or kitchen sink, blockages never come at a good time or in a good place. Any blockage in one's household plumbing poses a serious issue to everyone's health and well-being in the home. Since all plumbing connects at some point, when one pipe is blocked, all other pipes can be impacted. Blockages can happen for many reasons. Depending on the drain, they could be the result of built-up soap residue, hair, grease or food, and other substances stuck to the pipe walls.
No matter the reason, there are several common methods for clearing blockages out of one's pipes.
Snaking a Blockage
Many plumbers will tackle blockages with an instrument called an "auger" or a snake. This plumbers' tool looks like a long metal snake and can be either a hand-crank or electric. It gets fed into the blocked drain, and as the snake winds its way down the pipe, the plumber can guide it toward the blockage. Eventually, the snake reaches the blockage and slowly but surely pushes it down the pipe and into the main plumbing line, where it is large enough to flush out.
While this may sound like an easy DIY opportunity, plumbers warn homeowners against purchasing a snake to do it themselves. Why? Because many things can go wrong when trying to use a tool without proper training. Here are just a few problems homeowners run into when using snakes on their own:
- Snake gets stuck in the pipes
- Snake breaks or damages pipes
- Injuries from snake recoil
How Does Hydrojetting Work?
Hydrojetting is a relatively new technique used by plumbers to clear drains of severe blockages. This is a plumber-only technique and cannot be DIYed. It blasts high-pressure water directly into the pipes so powerfully that every surface is cleaned and flushed out through the plumbing system. This technique is used for particularly stuck clogs and clogs that may not be removed any other way, such as sewer lines clogged up with tree roots.
The benefits of hydrojetting are many and include:
- Quick unclogging of significant blockages
- Removal of blockages that nothing else touches
- Used in any pipe or part of household plumbing
- Deep cleans pipes
DIY Clog Removal: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Sometimes, homeowners don't have time to wait for a plumber to clear their drains. Fortunately, there is one DIY solution that commonly works on smaller clogs. This is only a temporary solution but can be used in a pinch.
If needing to clear a drain, one can use a baking soda and vinegar combination. To complete this process, one should first pour boiling water down the drain to clear the pipe of any built-up gunk stuck onto the sides. Next, a cup of baking soda, and a solution of 1 cup water and 1 cup vinegar should be added. Once this has been poured down the drain, the drain plug should be covered for five to ten minutes. After that, boiling water should be poured down once more and see if the clog unplugs. If needed, this process can be repeated.
However, this is only a temporary fix, not a final solution.
Reliable, Expert Plumbing Service
Captain Rooter has proudly served as Chicago's trusted plumbing company for over twenty years. They offer a wide range of plumbing services, including drain cleaning to help keep any home in top working condition. Homeowners can count on Captain Rooter to provide 24/7 emergency response, efficient solutions, and personalized care.
