To DIY or Not To DIY: Drain Cleaning
Well, it's happened again - your shower drain has once more become clogged, and instead of watching soapy suds roll quickly down the drain, you're standing ankle-deep in a pool of murky, dirty shower water. Yuck. Looks like it's time to get down to drain cleaning once again. The question is, do you do it yourself, or do you bring in the professionals?
You might think that it's silly to call a plumber over for a simple drain cleaning, especially when it's a common problem that all of us have dealt with at one point or another. However, there are several points to consider that may have you rethinking your decision to do your own drain cleaning. In the interests of fairness, though, let's talk about the pros and cons of both DIY and professional drain cleaning to determine what's best for your situation.
DIY Drain Cleaning: Pros and Cons
- Pros: Cost-effectiveness (at least initially), readily available tools, immediacy
- Cons: Limited effectiveness, risk of potentially causing damage if improper techniques are used.
The positives of handling your own drain cleaning are obvious. You don't have to wait for a plumbing company to get back to you, you don't have to pay another person to do it for you, and you can easily find the tools and equipment you need to do it yourself for cheap - in fact, you might already have them at home.
This all sounds good - so what are the drawbacks? Well, it depends. DIY methods might work well for some minor clogs, but if the problem is more serious than you realize (like a very severe clog, or a blockage back in your sewer lines), then your best DIY efforts may not be very successful, or only provide temporary relief for a chronic problem.
Then there's also the risk of damage. Chemical drain cleaners, which are very commonplace at most hardware stores and even grocery stores, are incredibly bad for your plumbing, corroding your pipes even as they break down the blockages. They also release toxic fumes and are awful for the environment in general. Alternatively, there are tools you can use instead, like drain snakes, but these can also damage your plumbing if you're not very careful with how you use them.
Professional Drain Cleaning: Pros and Cons
- Pros: Safety, proper tools and techniques, thorough and long-term solutions
- Cons: Scheduling, paying for expert services
We get it: why wait around and pay someone to do something you can do yourself? The thing is that plumbing professionals can go far beyond what the average DIYer is capable of handling themselves. We use state-of-the-art tools like video camera equipment and hydro jets to see inside your pipes and thoroughly - but safely - remove the blockages in ways that drain cleaning chemicals and drain snakes cannot. On top of that, if there is a more serious underlying problem than just a simple clog, we can identify it and fix it to provide a long-term solution for your drainage issues.
In Conclusion: DIY Or Don't?
So, do you or do you not call the plumbing company for your clog? We think it depends on the situation. If you're dealing with (what appears to be) a minor clog, you may opt to try out the DIY approach first using a drain snake, plunger, or drain cleaning solutions that don't contain caustic chemicals, such as enzymatic cleaners or baking soda and hot water. This may work just fine (though you should still be careful with whatever method you use to avoid inadvertently hurting your plumbing).
However, if the DIY solution isn't effective - or if the problem seems more serious - that's when you should call in the pros. We definitely recommend calling a plumbing company in cases where:
- DIY methods are ineffective
- Your drains clog back up again soon after you clean them
- Multiple drains around your property appear to be struggling at the same time
- There are other signs of a more serious underlying problem, like persistent foul odors or sewage backups
It doesn't matter if it's a minor clog or a major blockage - if you need expert drain cleaning help, New Era Plumbing, LLC is happy to oblige. As Douglasville's premier plumbing company since 2013, we've successfully completed countless drain cleaning jobs with precision and quality service. Our technicians will show up at your property as soon as possible to bring you peace of mind and a long-lasting solution for your drainage problems, no matter the cause.
If you'd like to request a professional drain cleaning service, call New Era Plumbing, LLC today at 404-629-9478!