While a plunger can temporarily relieve simple sink and shower obstructions, engrained grease pileups, matted hair/lint clusters, or accumulated sediment require journeyman-level expertise. Likewise, foul smells wafting from drains signal a need for professional help. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth now!
Avoid store-bought chemical drain cleaners, as their ingredients irritate pipes and cause toxic fumes. Instead, pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar.
A clogged drain line is frustrating and inconvenient and can lead to major problems such as sewer backups and sewage spilling into your home. Fortunately, there are ways to clear even the most stubborn clogs and prevent future ones from forming. One of the most effective and safest is hydrojetting, which uses high-powered water pressure to blast away buildup inside your pipes. This process is ideal for removing grease, sludge, and other debris that accumulates inside the walls of your pipe over time. It also helps wash away mineral deposits and clears out small tree roots.
While it can be more expensive than alternative methods like drain snaking, hydrojetting is far safer for your plumbing and sewer system. This is because it does not require any harsh chemicals and instead relies on the power of water to clean your pipes. In addition, it can reach clogs that are further down in your pipe, which would be impossible with a snake.
Before attacking your clog with a hydro jet, a plumber will first inspect the pipe using a video camera. This will give them a better idea of the type and severity of the obstruction and will help them determine the best course of action. For example, if the problem is a large clump of tree roots, a plumber may need to use a drain snake first to break up and shred the roots before they can use the hydro jet to remove them.
Unlike traditional snakes, which only poke holes through a clog, hydro jetting thoroughly blasts away any debris in your pipe walls. This results in a much more thorough cleaning and can greatly reduce the likelihood of future blockages. In fact, the process is so effective that it can even restore pipes to their original condition.
If you’re experiencing a persistently blocked drain or need to get your sewer lines cleaned, contact the experts at HB Home Service Team today! We offer comprehensive drain cleaning services in Richmond Hill and surrounding areas. We can also inspect your sewer and plumbing lines to make sure they are in good working order.
Mechanical Drain Snake
While plungers create bursts of air pressure and chemical drain cleaners dissolve clogs, mechanical snakes physically bore into and dislodge obstructions. Their core components are a long, flexible steel cable that can reach deep into drain pipes and a corkscrew-shaped head. When you crank the handle, this head rotates and winds itself around obstructions to break them up or latch onto them. These devices come in both manual and motorized varieties, with different cable lengths and a wide variety of head attachments available.
While it may seem counterintuitive to use a machine to unclog a machine, it’s actually one of the most effective and reliable ways to get rid of stubborn clogs. However, you need to be careful and follow basic safety guidelines to avoid damage to your pipes and the snake itself.
If you’re using a manual snake, make sure the entire cable is uncoiled before feeding it into a drain. Otherwise, it can coil back on itself and cause injury. You should also wear gloves and eye protection to protect yourself from potentially harmful bacteria, debris, and chemicals present in a clogged pipe.
Once you’ve inserted the snake into the drain, slowly crank it to advance it towards the blockage. Keep in mind that older and fragile pipes will require a gentler approach to avoid pipe damage. Likewise, you should avoid forcing the snake against resistance. Whether it’s a bend in the pipe or a solidified clog, continuing to apply force can damage your pipes or even the snake itself.
When you do encounter resistance, continue rotating and feeding the snake until it grabs hold of the obstruction. It may take several attempts to dislodge a dense or greasy clog, so don’t give up! If the snake isn’t successful, it’s a good idea to call for professional assistance. A skilled plumber will not only be able to remove stubborn clogs, but they can also recommend preventive maintenance strategies to keep your pipes in good condition.
Oxidizing Drain Cleaners
Many people use chemical drain cleaners to fix clogged pipes, but these products can be dangerous. They typically work by creating a reaction with the clog that either takes or gives off electrons, creating heat and liquefying the material that’s blocking the pipe. Unfortunately, these reactions can damage pipes over time. Furthermore, they can also cause health problems if the chemicals splash onto your skin or if you breathe them in for extended periods of time.
Acidic drain cleaners, such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, often have very harsh chemical compositions that can burn your skin and irritate your eyes. They may also destroy the bacteria in your septic tank, causing it to fail. Additionally, these cleaners are not safe for use if you have plastic plumbing in your home, as they can melt or degrade the material.
Caustic drain cleaners, like lye or sodium hydroxide, are a bit safer but still pose some risks. These products are effective for breaking down organic clogs, such as hair or soap scum. However, they can be damaging if used in excess or if they come into contact with other materials, such as steel or copper pipes.
Oxidizing chemical drain cleaners, on the other hand, contain bleach, nitrates or peroxides that release oxygen when they contact water. They can also be effective for food-based clogs in your kitchen sink, as they break down the organic material and turn it into a substance that’s more easily pushed through the pipes.
Another common type of drain cleaner is a basic household solution, such as baking soda or vinegar. These are often gentler than other types of chemical cleaners and can be helpful for small clogs, such as those caused by hair or grease. However, they can take a while to actually reach the clog and might require multiple applications before it is fully cleared. Furthermore, they may leave behind a pungent odor that can last for weeks.
Video Inspection
If your drains are consistently clogged or you’ve experienced repeated sewer backups, it may be time to invest in video inspection and line location services. This cutting-edge technology allows a plumber to send a miniaturized digital camera into your pipes to visually inspect their condition. The results are instantly sent to a monitor, making it possible to pinpoint the source of the problem and quickly identify the best method for cleaning your lines.
With this tool, plumbers can locate hard-to-find issues like cracked pipes, root intrusion and misalignment of the drain and sewer line. This information can then be used to address the problem and prevent future occurrences.
Having this type of diagnostic tool also helps eliminate the guesswork often associated with traditional drain cleaning methods. For example, if your drain is clogged by an accumulation of fats, oils and grease, a high-definition camera can show you exactly what’s blocking the line and the extent of the blockage. The plumber can then determine the best way to clear out the obstruction without causing unnecessary damage or disruption to your property.
Another advantage of using video inspection is the ability to avoid expensive excavation and repair work by locating underground utilities before digging into your sewer lines or plumbing system. Plumbers can then use a more targeted approach to cleaning or repairing the drain line, minimizing disruption and saving you money in the long run.
If you’re considering buying a new home, it’s also an excellent way to see what conditions your pipes are in before you buy. A professional plumber can check the overall condition of your drains and sewer line, allowing you to negotiate any necessary repairs or upgrades with the seller.
No matter what type of drain or sewer line you have, a regular professional inspection and cleaning will keep things running smoothly. If you’re tired of recurring clogs or constant backups, contact Chas Roberts for a drain cleaning consultation. We can recommend the best method to keep your drains in tip-top shape and help you maintain them for a long time.