Why Call a Plumber to Clear Clogged Drains?
For obvious reasons, blocked drains are a menace and need to be cleared up as soon as possible. There are several reasons why you might be tempted to clear it yourself. But you will find so many reasons why you should call a plumber instead.
There might be other Complications
Before picking up your tools and attempting a DIY, relax. The obstacle might be near the surface, and you could only be pushing it further down the pipes. By doing this, you end up complicating what should have been a simple process and causing further problems. When you force obstacles further down the line, you could end up clogging more drains in your apartment. In this case, the more, the more grievous.
Most of the time, blockages aren’t a result of obstacles in the pipes. A blocked vent might be the only source of all your troubles. As much as drains are designed to carry liquid waste, they also need to be adequately ventilated to get the waste flowing. Most of these vents are concealed, and even if they are not, it is important to let professionals deal with them.
You Could Break the Pipes
A stagnant drain could point to factors like pipe congestion. Yes, it happens. And trying to clear up such clogged drains with a pump will only force liquid waste through the available channels and increase the pressure on the pipes and pipe junctions. At maximum pressure, the lines begin to develop cracks and could eventually rupture. Now, you have more problems.
If you find yourself living in an apartment with damp walls and floors, the chances are that you have burst a pipe with your drainage clearing efforts. Fixing a burst pipe involves more expenses, and if you were trying to cut down on the costs of getting a plumber to do the job, you would end up feeling very sorry for yourself at this point.
It could get Messy
With the stagnant water and floating debris, clogged up drains are messy enough. You don’t need to ruin your apartment any further. While you may be tempted to exert significant pressure with the plunger, remember that you could end up with unpleasant splatters on the surrounding walls and floor. If you are not careful enough, you might get some of it on your face and even in your mouth. Yuck!
Using Chemicals Ruins Drainage Pipes
Most DIY options involve the use of corrosive materials to dissolve any blockages along the drain channel. While these chemicals proffer quick solutions, they cause a lot of problems in the long run. With constant usage of these chemicals, the pipes in the drain get eroded. Eroded pipes are prone to developing cracks and leaks and would need to be replaced.
Using a plumber saves you a lot of trouble
You may have developed a strong reputation for dealing with simple household issues, but you must know that you require an expert for larger fixes. While using a plunger makes an easy fix, an expert plumber uses a simple video line inspection to ascertain the root cause of the problem and proffer more lasting solutions to it.
The Common Causes of Clogged Drains
Since drains are provided for only liquid waste, they only get clogged when solid particles get into them. However, it is important to know how these solid particles get into the drains to prevent it.
Hair
Hair constitutes the most significant nuisance. Strands of human hair and fur from your pet could quickly get past your drain and into the pipes. At this point, they roll into small balls that obstruct the flow of water.
You can prevent hair strands from clogging up your drain by installing a hair strainer at the mouth of the drain.
Dirt
As particles of dirt are usually ignored, lots of it end up washed down the drain. These particles gradually combine to form sizeable sediments inside the pipe. To prevent dirt particles from blocking the drains, consider washing off excess dirt before getting into the bathtub.
Soap
Although soap particles are solvent, soap bits could contribute to draining blockage by combining strands of hair and dirt particles. Besides that, soap residue could accumulate over a long time. You can prevent soap residue from gathering by using soap-free washes.
Toilet Paper
Sodden toilet paper could also block your drains. It will help if you use moderate amounts of tissue paper instead.
When You Should Call a Plumber
You do not need to wait till the water in the sink or bathtub no longer drains. Several signs indicate that your drain could be blocked already.
- You perceive terrible odors from the drains.
- You hear bubbles in the toilet.
- Water drains slower than usual.
- Water backs up into the sink or bathtub.
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