It’s tempting to try to clear a clogged or slow moving drain yourself, but your best move is to call a professional plumber. Clogged drains are sometimes little more than a build-up of hair, soap, and other debris, but they can be an indication of a much more serious problem.
Homeowners often make the mistake of trying to clear the clog themselves and end up doing more harm than good. Their efforts are well intentioned, but they end up causing damage to the pipes or just pushing the clog further into the drain lines where it is harder to remove.
Using a chemical drain cleaner runs the risk of damaging the walls of the drain pipes and if it doesn’t work, then you have a drain line and sink full of dangerous chemicals to deal with in addition to the clogged drain. A good plumber has the experience and equipment to assess the situation and determine the best method for clearing the clog.
For clogs deep in the drain lines they have high tech video cameras that can be inserted into the drain to inspect the inside of the pipe. Once the problem has been identified, they can choose the best method to clear the clog. There are different methods for clearing clogs depending on where the clog is located, the size and type of pipe, and what caused the clog.
In some cases traditional rootering with a drain cleaning snake is the best solution. In other cases, high pressure hydro jetting may be the right answer. Only an experienced plumber can choose the best method to safely and effectively clear the clog.
