Everybody has a clogged drain at some point in their lives. Drains can become clogged due to the accumulation of soap, food waste, and other debris. As a result of the buildup, water flow is reduced, and a musty odor may permeate the house. Mold can cause nausea and headaches, among other symptoms. A blocked drain’s tainted water can also cause skin discomfort. Asthma and allergy sufferers may also have an adverse reaction to this product.
1. Inspection of Pipes
Upon entering a house, the majority of plumbers will immediately inspect the pipes. At the very least, pipe inspections ought to be carried out once every two years. Pipe inspections reveal to the plumber how the water is being distributed throughout the home. It has the potential to warn homeowners of leaks or the need for repairs. When there is a problem with clogged drains, the plumber will need to inspect the pipes to determine what is causing the obstruction.
2. Pipe Cameras
Problems such as leaks or poor installation are simple to identify while viewing the pipes from the outside. On the other hand, it is helpful to have an inside perspective when unclogging drains. That’s why plumbers use pipe cameras to inspect pipes. These devices are video cameras that are linked together by a cable.
A plumber will work their way through the drain system manipulating the cable. This gives them access to areas of the pipe that they would not have been able to reach otherwise. The next step is for them to figure out which of their tools is most suited to remove the obstruction.
3. Plunger
To clear clogs in toilets, plungers are a common tool employed. On the other hand, you can also use them to clear up minor obstructions in showers and sinks. To begin, a plumber might use a plunger to clear a clogged drain. If this doesn’t work, it could be a sign of a more substantial clog, which would require a different kind of instrument.
4. Manual Drain Snake
A manual drain snake has the appearance of a lengthy cable that terminates in a device that is similar to a corkscrew. A handle, which is attached to the cable, can be used to wind the cable through a drain using the handle. First, the plumbers will insert the end of the cable into the gap between the drain and the floor. They are going to make use of the crank to feed the cable into the drain. When they get to the clog, they will work their way through it by manipulating the cable until they can get past it.
5. A Drain Snake with an Electric Motor
Both the manual and motorized versions of the drain snake use the same fundamental concepts to function. On the other hand, this equipment for drain cleaning is typically reserved for usage on pipes with a larger diameter or on obstructions that are more resistant to removal. Motorized drain snakes can either be wired or cordless depending on the user’s preference.
The engine provides the plumber with more power, allowing them to more easily break through the pipe buildup. These snakes are equipped with automatic feeds, which make the movement of the cable much easier to do. When a clog is cleared out of a pipe, the plumber may simply push a button to easily feed the cable through the pipe, and then press the button again to effortlessly pull the cable back out of the pipe.
6. Drain Auger
The drain auger is a device that functions in a manner that is comparable to that of the drain snake. Sinks and other smaller drains are typically the targets of drain snakes when they are put to use for their intended purpose. Drain augers are meant to fit into larger pipes, such as the ones found in showers and toilets. Drain augers can either be manually operated or powered by an electric motor, much like drain snakes.
7. Hydro-Jet
A hydro jet is an effective tool that may be used by a plumber to clear even the most stubborn of obstructions. The buildup that can occur in drains can be dislodged using this device, which forces water under pressure through the plumbing. This device can typically do its task much more quickly and effectively than a conventional drain snake would. Not only are hydro jets useful for clearing obstructions in drains, but they are also quite good at cleaning drains.
The intensity of the water contributes to the cleaning process of the pipe walls, which removes residue. As a result, this device not only clears a drain that is clogged but also reduces the possibility that the drain will become clogged again in the future or that the pipe will sustain more severe damage.
8. Hair Snake
Blockages in drains are frequently caused by hair, making it one of the most common causes. It is estimated that the average person loses between 50 and 100 hairs per day. The majority of this shedding takes place while you are washing your hair. As a result, the vast majority of it is washed down the toilet or lost down the bathtub drain.
Now, a single hair strand isn’t going to accomplish much of anything. The issue arises when a significant number of separate strands start to be entangled with one another. Residences with more people living in them may have a higher incidence of drain obstruction regularly.
There is, thankfully, an instrument that is specifically designed for the removal of hair, and it is used by plumbers. The majority of the time, these drains are fabricated from plastic, and they are available in a wide range of sizes.
9. Maintenance of Cables and Connectors
Cleaning of cables is useful for both little and major plumbing projects. Clogs are easily cut through by these devices because of the rotating blades attached to the end of a cable. In addition to this, the blades will assist in scraping away any residue that has built up on the pipe surfaces. There is a wide selection of cable cleaners available on the market today, including sectional, continuous, and drum cable versions.
Sectional cable cleaners make use of several cables, the longest of which can be up to 15 feet in length. Because they are easier to use in a risk-free manner, these devices are frequently selected. The convenience of shorter cables lies in the fact that they are less difficult to replace if they become damaged by kinks or breakage.
Continuous machines are both slower and significantly heavier than their sectional counterparts, although sectional cables run at much higher speeds. Continuous cable machines only have one cable, although its length might span anywhere from 25 to 100 feet. However, the entire cable is housed within the machine, which makes it heavier and more difficult to transport than it otherwise would be. In comparison to a sectional cable, the continuous machine tends to leave behind less debris after its use. This is one of the machine’s advantages.
10. Home Remedies to Unclog Drains
Even while plumbers have access to a wide variety of instruments designed specifically for the cleaning of drains, some plumbers still choose to use tools that are readily available in the average household. Baking soda and vinegar, when combined, cause a bubbling reaction that, when applied to a clog, can help to break it up and allow water to flow more freely.
After utilizing baking soda and vinegar, it is recommended to flush the drain with hot water to remove any residue that may have been left behind. This helps eliminate the clog and any residue that was left in the pipes after the obstruction was removed.
Fixing the Issues with the Pipes
Blockages in the plumbing of your home can lead to significant structural issues and possibly play a role in the development of illness in the family. The thought of clearing a clog on your own may be appealing, but doing so could make the situation worse. As can be seen, unclogging drains that have been clogged necessitates the utilization of a broad variety of tools, as well as the expertise of individuals who have been taught to make effective use of those items.
If you have any reason to believe that the drain in your home is clogged, you should contact a professional plumbing firm and ask for assistance or advice. Drains can be unclogged by professionals who have the appropriate training. Most importantly, experienced plumbers can provide routine maintenance and guidance to protect your home from any plumbing issues in the future.