It is essential that your
sewer system and drains need to be kept in good condition. In order to facilitate this, you should schedule cleaning at least once a year. Regular cleaning can help to prevent any clogs from developing and remove any blockages that could already exist inside your system. Unfortunately, many homeowners become a little overwhelmed when they start considering drain cleaning as they find that they have lots of options that each have their own pros and cons. So, here we will explore some of the most common drain cleaning methods, so you can make an informed decision.
The Importance of Using an Experienced Professional:
Although many homeowners may be tempted to tackle drain cleaning themselves, this is not usually a good idea. While there are chemical products available, they contain highly corrosive chemicals that in addition to being potentially hazardous to handle, they can also cause pipe corrosion. Professional specialists use non corrosive drain cleaning methods that can reduce the risk of damage, so you won’t need to worry about premature pipe replacement in the years to come.
Drain Snaking:
Drain snaking is one of the two main methods of
professional drain cleaning. It involves using a tool that has a long cord fitted with an auger. This auger is used to drill through any clogs or obstructions inside the pipe. It is turned using an electric motor or hand crank. For many years, drain snaking was the primary method of removing a drain clog, but it is not a perfect option for every plumbing situation.
The main drawback of drain snaking is that it cannot remove all waste that may have built up on inside your pipes. While it may be effective at clearing most clogs, any remnants left inside the pipe will encourage clogs in the future.
Hydro Jetting:
Hydro jetting is considered to be a modern technique for drain cleaning. This method has seen a massive increase in popularity in the last decade. It involves the use of a high pressure water and steam to blast any debris from inside the pipe. Many professionals and homeowners prefer hydro jetting compared to drain snaking as it tends to offer a far more thorough drain cleaning.
Unfortunately, there are some potential downsides. Since high pressure jets of water are used, your pipes need to be strong enough to withstand this force. If you have a cracked or weakened pipe, hydro jetting can actually cause more harm. There is no point in removing a clog from your pipe, only for it to spring a leak.
Which Method is Best?
While both of these methods have their own advantages, you also need to understand the potential disadvantages. For this reason, you need the benefit of an experienced
professional plumbing specialist. An experienced plumber can assess your plumbing system and any clog to determine the method that would be most beneficial. If you have a clogged pipe, your plumber may attempt to use drain snaking before attempting hydro jetting or could suggest that hydro jetting is the only suitable course of action. This will ensure that your pipes are cleared of any clogs and remain in good condition.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
