Your drain is clogged and you want it taken care of quickly. We get it. No one wants wastewater backing up. But before you attempt to take care of the problem on your own, you need to assess the situation to determine if this is a job best left to a plumbing professional.
The Telltale Signs of a Clog
If you are experiencing any of these common signs of a clogged drain, it is time to take action before a smaller problem turns into a disaster:
• Backed Up Sink
• Slow Draining Showers and Tubs
• Gurgling Sounds Coming from Your Drains
• Toilets Bubbling When Running Sinks
• Horrible Smells Emanating from the Drain
You Have a Clog. Now What?
Try Plunging It
If you have only noticed a sink backup or slow draining without any other telltale signs, you may be able to remedy the situation with a little DIY effort. Try plunging the drain to see if that releases the clog. If so, you may have solved the situation. If plunging did not work, you have reached the end of the recommended DIY options. The information below explains why your next step should be calling a plumber to tackle the job.
Drain Cleaners
A single piece of free advice: don’t use a drain cleaner. While drain cleaners seem like a convenient, cost-effective solution, they can cause more costly problems in the long run. These products contain corrosive ingredients. While they make breakthrough the clog blocking your drain, they may also break your pipes and/or septic system. So, although you may have alleviated your clogged drain problem, you could have caused a much more expensive issue – necessitating the replacement of pipes that were perfectly fine before you used the drain cleaner.
Clearing the Clog
If the plunger didn’t free the clog, it’s time to call in a professional to take care of it. From collections of hair, dirt and grime to a more complicated sewer backup, plumbing professionals have the tools and team to get your water flowing again. They can snake the drain to access and remove the clog. Snaking is a relatively gentle method for clearing clogs from pipes, making it an ideal option for both residential and commercial use.
Signs of More Serious Problems
A clogged drain can be a symptom of a more serious plumbing problem. Are you experiencing slow drainage or backups in more than one drain? Are you noticing low water pressure? Are toilets making gurgling noises when you turn on faucets? If so, you likely have a much larger plumbing issue than hair, dirt and grime clogging your drain. Your drain and sewer lines could be damaged or clogged, caused by roots, erosion, ground settling, or foreign objects. A professional plumber will be able to get to the reason for the issue and have the skills and expertise to remedy it as quickly as possible.
Bottom line: if you are experiencing a clogged drain, try to plunge it. If that doesn’t work, you know it’s time to call a plumber.
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