Getting Rid of Persistent Clogs with Drain Cleaning

When you own property, chances are you've dealt with clogged plumbing. The bathtub, the kitchen sink, etc. are all vulnerable to this problem. The best way to move forward is to find out what's causing the clogs and prevent them from going into the pipes. But it might be too late for simple prevention. Drain cleaning, whether done professionally or on one's own, is the answer to your problems. The sooner you take action, the better. Letting a slow clog remain will only worsen it over time. Then you may have no choice but to call out a professional. With a little homework, it can be a completely painless process.

Hair and Grease

The vast majority of clogs are caused by the same two substances: hair and grease. Keeping hair from clogging your pipes is a challenge. You have to take showers, after all, and people are prone to shedding in the shower. If you're getting a lot of hair in the sink, however, you might consider an alternative method of shaving (or doing it more often), or putting down a hair trap. If you wash a dog in the sink or the bathtub, a fur trap is a must. Hair is not easily defeated by over the counter drain cleaning solutions. Grease is the same way. Cooking grease should always be disposed of in the trash and never the sink. It will congeal and harden to the walls of your pipes, making water flow an eventual impossibility.

DIY

For smaller clogs, no professional will generally be needed. A plunger and—if that doesn't work—some store-bought chemicals will usually be enough to take care of the drain cleaning. If hair is clogging a drain, you may be able to take the contraption apart and access the hair with some pliers or tweezers. It should be noted that those products sold at grocery stores and elsewhere can do eventual harm to your plumbing system. They aren't meant to be used continually. If you experience clogs on a consistent basis, you should call a professional to help solve the root cause of the problem.

Professional Drain Cleaning

If you have a serious problem, calling out the professionals is probably the best move. They have tools and methods unavailable to the common homeowner. They can remove clogs fairly easily, even if you will have to pay a premium to have it done. Once done, however, you should consider having them come back out periodically for maintenance. This will ensure your pipes are clean and free of obstruction, which can make all of your water-using appliances function much more efficiently.