Plumbing clogs are inevitable, and if you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably come across your fair share of clogs. However, resorting to chemical drain cleaners every time you need to clear a clog is not the way to go. Believe it or not, chemical drain cleaners can actually do more harm than good. While they might temporarily clear a clog, chemical drain cleaners can actually damage your pipes in the long run, which will end in costly repairs for your plumbing system.
So, if you’re looking for safer ways to clear plumbing clogs in your home, Dr Rooter of Lexington is here to help. We’ll be sharing a few tips to clear those stubborn clogs that won’t end up damaging your pipes.
Plunger
Every household has their good old plunger that comes in handy whenever the toilet is clogged. Plungers create suction and pressure that will push away whatever is causing the clog in your toilet, but they are also useful for clearing clogs in sinks and bathtubs. When you use a plunger to clear a toilet clog, you’re using what is called a flange plunger. For sinks, showers, and bathtubs, cup plungers work best.
Many homeowners resort to flange plungers for clearing toilet clogs because this won’t require calling a plumber. However, there are still some stubborn clogs that you might come across at some point where the common household plunger won’t do the trick. That’s when Dr Rooter of Lexington comes in to help!
Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Hot Water
For minor clogs in your sinks or bathtub drains, your common household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar could be of use. Before calling your local plumber, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then, mix one cup of hot water with one cup of white vinegar and pour that down the drain. Let the solution sit for about an hour or longer. After the solution kicks in, run hot water down the drain to remove the rest of the solution and see if the water is still draining slowly. If not, it looks like the clog is cleared. If the drain still seems clogged, give us a call at (803) 398-2090.
Drain Snake
When a plunger doesn’t work, you might resort to snaking your drain. Drain snakes are thin, long, and flexible tools with a corkscrew tip that are used to dislodge clogs by breaking up or grabbing onto whatever is causing the clog. Because of their shape and length, drain snakes can usually clear stubborn clogs that plungers won’t be able to reach. However, if you aren’t comfortable using a drain snake and use it incorrectly, you can damage your pipes. If you don’t want to try the DIY method with a drain snake, Dr Rooter of Lexington is one call away.
Hydro Jetting
If you’ve never heard of hydro jetting before, it’s a non-invasive method used to clear the most stubborn clogs with high-pressure water. Many plumbers will use this method when snaking the drain isn’t successful. In addition to clearing the clog, hydro jetting also cleans your pipes and can clear years worth of debris. Many homeowners also prefer this method because it does not require the use of any harsh chemicals that could potentially damage their pipes.
At Dr Rooter of Lexington, we understand how inconvenient clogs can be in your home’s plumbing system and sometimes at-home methods aren’t always effective. If you’ve been trying to clear some stubborn clogs recently and your household plunger isn’t doing the trick, give us a call at (803) 398-2090 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your appointment.