Drain Clogs Are a Common Plumbing Concern and Need a Drain Cleaning Professional | Oak Ridge, TN
Monday, January 20th, 2020
Photo By Pridannikov at istock
Drain Clogs
If you notice stagnant water in your kitchen sink, or if the water in your bathtub is draining slowly, you probably have a clogged drain.
A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing problems experienced by people in Oak Ridge, TN. It is not only an issue pertinent to households but commercial buildings and municipal corporations also experience it. If left untreated, clogged drains can cause serious damage to health and property.
Possible Solutions to Drain Clogs
People often think of clogged drains as a minor plumbing issue. They use DIY techniques to help resolve this problem on their own. However, they may not realize that clogged drains are a serious plumbing concern and can cause potential damage to your plumbing fixtures. Therefore, using a professional drain cleaning service is more of a necessity than a choice in most cases.
Some of the most commonly used solutions to help resolve clogged drains include the following:
Use of Chemical Drain Cleaners
An inexpensive, easy to use chemical drain cleaner appears to be an easy and effective solution for drain cleaning. A typical drain cleaner comes in liquid, powder, or gel form and is made up of strong synthetic chemicals. It might be effective in solving your problem in the short run but this handy can of chemicals can have serious effects on your health, pipes, and the environment.
Typical drain cleaners can be classified into three broad categories; acidic, alkaline and organic. The chemicals in the drain cleaner cause the clog to dissolve. The reaction between the elements in the clog and the chemicals in the drain cleaner results in the release of heat and gas. The release of heat can be damaging to the pipes and other plumbing fixtures in your house. The gas might contain toxic elements which can affect human health when inhaled. Physical contact with the chemical drain cleaner can cause severe burns on skin. If it comes in contact with the eyes, chemical drain cleaners can lead to potential loss of vision.
When the chemical is released in the water stream, it can negatively affect the quality of water. Considering the health and environmental hazards, relying on chemical drain cleaners is not a viable option.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
People have relied on the solution of baking soda and vinegar long before the invention of chemical drain cleaners. Mixing baking soda and vinegar in equal proportions and immediately pouring it in the drain can help unclog the drain. However, it is only a short-term solution and is not effective against major clogs.
The Drain Snake
This is a low priced, low tech equipment used for drain cleaning. It is a long, flexible metal wire which is used to dislodge clogs and can save you from major trouble. However, they are not very effective against major clogs. Also, people who are not trained to use drain snake often mishandle the equipment. To make the most of a drain snake, you need to seek professional plumbing service.
The Best Way to Clean Your Drains
The best way for drain cleaning is to seek the services of a professional plumber in the Oak Ridge, TN area. Trained professionals have the required knowledge, skills and experience to identify the nature of the clog. They also have the relevant equipment which can be used to clean your drains no matter how severe your clog is. Some of the techniques used by professionals for drain cleaning include the following.
Motorized Drain Snakes
Manual models of drain snakes are widely used to resolve the issue of clogged drains. However, they are often mishandled. For effectiveness, most drain cleaningplumbers rely on motorized drain snakes. A coil of wire along with a cork like structure attached at the end of the wire helps dislodge the clog. In fact, a motorized drain snake can handle almost every obstruction if handled by the right technician.
Video Inspection of the Pipe
The use of a camera for the inspection of pipes is one of the best tools to identify the exact location of the clog. Professional plumbers rely on this equipment to pinpoint the areas of the pipe which needs cleaning. This also helps identify the type of clog and what sort of cleaning will help resolve the clog. In case of major clogs, drain cleaningis often incomplete without the video inspection of the pipes.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting is one of the most thorough ways of cleaning drain pipes. This involves the use of high-pressure water through a hose and a nozzle. Blasts of high pressure, boiling water help break through the clog. It also clears away waste including grease and oil.
However, the technique should only be used by a professional plumber. This is because not all pipes can handle high pressure cleaning. Most hydro-jetters blast out water at a pressure of 7,000 psi. So only a professional can evaluate whether the technique is suitable for your plumbing fixtures or not.
Need Professional Help?
If you are looking for a professional plumber for drain cleaning in the Oak Ridge, TN area, contact My Professional Plumber. Whether your water heater needs repair or your sewer line backs up, they can help resolve all types of plumbing emergencies. They have over 20 years of experience and operate with the single goal of providing best service and peace of mine to their customers. To know more about our residential and emergency plumbing services, call now at 865-622-4101 or visit the website.