DIY vs. Professional Drain Cleaning: What Works and What Causes Harm

When you’re faced with a slow-draining kitchen sink or a shower that starts to pool around your ankles, the first impulse for many homeowners is to try and fix it themselves. The shelves of hardware stores are lined with bottles of chemical cleaners promising a quick fix, and a quick online search will reveal dozens of DIY remedies. While some of these methods can have limited success on very minor clogs, many of them are ineffective at best and, at worst, can cause serious and expensive damage to your plumbing system. Understanding the difference between a helpful home remedy and a situation that requires a professional is key to avoiding a much bigger problem.

The Homeowner’s Toolkit: Plungers and Small Snakes

For simple clogs, a couple of basic tools can be effective and are safe to use.

• The Plunger: This should always be your first line of defense. A simple cup plunger is great for sinks and tubs, while a flange plunger (with the extended rubber flap) is necessary for toilets. A plunger uses water and air pressure to dislodge a single, solid obstruction. For many simple clogs, a few good plunges are all it takes.
• Small Hand Snakes: A small, 1/4-inch drain auger or a plastic “zip-it” tool can be useful for pulling out hair clogs that are located very close to the drain opening of a bathtub or bathroom sink. However, their reach is very limited, and they are not effective against grease or sludge clogs further down the pipe.

The Dangers of Chemical Drain Cleaners

This is where DIY drain cleaning becomes truly risky. Liquid chemical drain cleaners seem like a magic bullet, but they work by using powerful, caustic agents like sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid to generate an intense chemical reaction that dissolves the clog.

• They Can Damage Your Pipes: The heat generated by this chemical reaction can be enough to soften and warp PVC pipes. The caustic agents are also highly corrosive to metal pipes, especially older galvanized or cast iron lines. Repeated use can eat away at your pipes from the inside, leading to leaks and the eventual need for a full pipe replacement.
• They Are Extremely Hazardous: These chemicals are toxic and can cause severe burns to your skin and eyes if they splash. They also release noxious fumes that are dangerous to inhale. As the National Capital Poison Center warns, they are one of the most dangerous chemical products in the average home.
• They Often Make the Problem Worse: If the chemical cleaner fails to clear the clog completely, you are now left with a pipe full of highly toxic, standing water. This is incredibly dangerous for you and for the professional plumber you will now have to call. Many plumbers will charge extra to work on a line that contains these hazardous chemicals.

When to Stop and Call a Professional

It’s important to know when to throw in the towel on a DIY repair. You should call a professional plumber if:

• A plunger or simple snake doesn’t clear the clog.
• You are experiencing clogs in multiple drains at the same time (a clear sign of a main sewer line issue).
• The same drain clogs up repeatedly soon after you’ve cleared it.
• You hear gurgling sounds from your drains or smell sewer gas.

A professional has the right equipment, from powerful motorized drain augers to high-pressure hydro jetting machines, to not only break through the clog but to clean the entire pipe wall, solving the problem for good.

Your Experts for Drain Issues in Southern California

Some jobs are simply best left to the professionals to avoid causing a more expensive problem. For homeowners in Southern California dealing with a stubborn clog that home remedies can’t fix, the team at I.E. Plumbing Services Inc. has the experience and equipment to solve the problem safely and effectively. We handle all types of drain issues. Contact us for professional help that won’t harm your pipes.