Clogged Drain? Do Not Try to Unclog it Yourself

Clogged Drain? Do Not Try to Unclog it Yourself

Let’s face it, we all have a clogged drain, occasionally. We have all tried to unclog it ourselves, too. Sometimes, if the clog is not too bad, we are successful. But, often, the task becomes greater than we can handle. It is hard to remember that your main intention was to clear the rain, when you are up to your elbows in fire ants and hot water. You should have called in a professional at the first sign of trouble.

Not all clogs are created equal

Drains may become clogged due to a variety of reasons. Hair, food particles, and grease are the major culprits, but unusual objects may also clog your drain (such as cell phones, or toy cars). Some clogs may be a build up from years of neglect and may indicate a deeper problem, while some may be simply hair caught in the trap and can be fixed with the use of a plunger. The key is to know when to call in a professional.

In the case of a hair clog, you will usually know, when and how this happened. If it is not left to get worse, a plunger should do the trick. If that does not work, do not attempt to pour caustic chemicals down the drain, some pipe materials (PVC for instance) can be damaged by these chemicals. Old pipes may be damaged by a “pipe snake”. So, if the plunger doesn’t work, call a plumber.

In the case of food particles, this type of clog usually comes from rinsing dishes in the wrong sink (the one without the disposal). This type of clog does not happen overnight and can cause substantial damage if left alone. Pipe rust and deterioration are common side effects of this type of clog. Just call in a professional for this one.

Grease build up in your drain, is another common problem. Most people will want to try putting in lye or a lye-based product. DO NOT do this, it will cause a worse problem, a soap plug. Depending on how much grease and lye was used, this plug could reach as far as the pipes under the house.

A professional drain cleaning Tavares FL, or anywhere, can help to alleviate many drain woes. However, there will be the occasional drain clog that can’t be avoided, like a flushed cell phone. In this case, make two calls, one to a plumber and one to the phone company.

Many times, a clogged drain can be fixed easily by a professional plumber. But, just as often the handy man will want to try to fix it themselves and fail. If this happens often the problem becomes worse. A professional plumber can fix the original issue and the new ones as well, usually with significant amounts of laughter. So, save yourself some trouble and money and call a professional before things get out of hand.

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