Why DIY Drain Cleaning Isn’t Smart

Finding yourself facing a clogged drain isn’t an uncommon situation. Over time, pipes and drains clog up, with the need for the inevitable fix. It’s easy to think that a drain cleaner is an easy fix, what with the numerous products available on grocery shelves, plus the many commercials you see that magically unclog stuck drains.

But hold on a minute. Not all drain cleaners are created equal. Most drain cleaners contain harmful chemicals such as hydrochloric acid. These do dissolve the debris that is gumming up your pipes, but it also can eat at the pipes themselves, eventually weakening the very structures they’re supposed to clean. There are enzymatic drain cleaners that are safe for pipes, but their weaker strength may not work for stubborn blockages.

One way to help prevent clogged pipes is to run very hot water through your drains on a monthly basis or to call a Victoria BC plumber for a drainage inspection. A gallon or two would work well, and you can flush the pipes with cold water to move the unstuck debris towards the mains. Another popular method of cleaning your drains is to pour half a cup of baking soda down a drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit overnight and flush it with hot water. Both these methods are effective for working drains, not for ones that are already clogged. But preventive maintenance goes a long way in avoiding the hassles of dealing with a drain that’s backing up.

Brute force ways of unclogging drain include using a plumber’s snake or a plunger.These can work, but not for particularly stubborn clogs.

The best way to deal with a clogged pipe is to call a plumber. Sure, you’ll be shelling out money. But a professional plumber Victoria will get to the bottom of the problem quickly, and free the blockage in a safe and efficient manner. Without harming your plumbing system, which an eager but unknowing do-it-yourselfer could do. Plus, a professional plumber will know how to do a repair which will have lasting results, not one which can come back some weeks or a couple of months later.