When homeowners are on the search for the best ways to care for their homes, they typically are on the lookout for DIY tips. This makes sense–oftentimes DIY solutions to just about any home improvement or home care project are going to be more affordable. But when you’re looking at “what’s most affordable” are you just considering the upfront costs, or are you considering the long-term costs?
In case you haven’t already guessed where we’re going with this–sometimes the best way to clean your drains, resolve any home appliance or fixture problem, is to call a professional.
While a superficial clog or mild bad odor may have a DIY fix, which we’ll get into below, for thorough and meaningful drain cleaning, the best thing you can do is call our team for professional drain snaking or hydro jetting services. Read on to learn more!
When a DIY Fix Might Be All You Need
Yes, there are some cases where a DIY fix may be all you need. When? Well, when the drain clog you’re experiencing is superficial, or you’re dealing with a smelly kitchen sink drain from all the cooking byproducts that go down the garbage disposal (sidenote: please avoid putting fats, oils and grease, otherwise known as FOG, down your kitchen sink drain!)
If you have a smelly drain, a little vinegar and baking soda mixture washed down with hot water may resolve your issue.
In the case of a superficial drain clog, you may be able to get a plunger or even a drain snake and suction or scoop the clog out. If that doesn’t work though, then it’s time to call a pro. No, not time to reach for that bottle of store-bought drain cleaner. We’ll explain why…
The Problem with Store-Bought Drain Cleaning “Solutions”
Chemical drain cleaning “solutions” are really no solution at all. The materials they’re made of are caustic. Not only can exposure to them hurt your skin and eyes, but continued use of these products can also start to corrode the inside of your pipes until you find yourself dealing with leaks and a need for professional pipe replacement.
Trust us when we say it’s far more costly to fix this mistake than it is to contact a pro to deal with your drain clog the right way.
The Power of Professional Drain Cleaning
Many drain clogs exist in only one drain, and this is where a DIY fix might be applicable. But if you’ve already tried a plunger and a drain snake, then it’s time to call us. We also use drain snakes, however ours are commercial grade, and we first use video pipe inspection to find the exact location of the clog and to make sure we don’t miss anything.
Or there is hydrojetting, where we use a drain snake type device with an omnidirectional sprayer head that will scour the inside of the pipes. This is so powerful that it can even do away with tree roots that have infiltrated the sewer line! Please be sure to reach out to learn more.
To schedule your professional drain cleaning in St. Louis, look no further than Performance Plumbing. Contact us today!