When it comes to drain cleaning, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. It’s not surprising—keeping your plumbing from clogging sounds like it should be relatively simple. And it is, as long as you do it right.
The problem is that there’s a lot of bad advice circulating, which could cause you even bigger problems down the line. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about drain cleaning that we’ve come across, along with some things that you should really know about keeping your drains clear.
Myth: Drain Cleaning is Something I Can Do Myself
There are a lot of things you can—and should—do to prevent drain clogs. Keeping grease and food waste out of your kitchen sink, using drain covers to prevent hair clogs, and not flushing anything besides human waste and toilet paper can all help to keep your drains running.
No matter how careful you are, though, your pipes will accumulate build-up over time, narrowing your drains and making clogs more likely. The only way to really get rid of that build-up is with the help of a professional, who will have the tools and the knowledge to perform a thorough and effective drain cleaning.
Myth: Chemical Drain Cleaners Work Fine
Chemical drain cleaners will fix very minor clogs most of the time, but not without causing problems of their own. They won’t really solve the problem that led to the clog in the first place. These cleaners more or less punch a small hole through the clog, which will become clogged again, usually sooner rather than later.
The two longer-lasting problems relate to the chemicals themselves. The harsh chemicals in these cleaners can potentially corrode pipes, which can then lead to expensive replacements. These chemicals are not environmentally friendly, either, and if you have a septic tank, they could kill the beneficial bacteria that are necessary for your system to properly function.
Myth: My Slow Drain Will Fix Itself
When you try to ignore a problem, it usually gets worse, and that’s definitely the case with slow drains. The accumulated gunk in your drains is only going to keep growing, until it finally blocks the outflow of water all together.
There’s nothing that’s going to get your water flow back up to speed, aside from a drain cleaning. On the bright side, once you get your drains cleaned, they should flow freely for a long time, especially if you take the right preventative steps to reduce the amount of build-up that occurs.
Myth: Drain Cleaning Is Too Expensive
It’s no secret that getting your drains cleaned is going to cost money. But without drain cleaning, you run the risk of an even more expensive problem developing over time, one that might require extensive repairs and cause damage to one or more parts of your home. In the long run, drain cleaning is going to save you money.
It’s worth saying again that properly cleaning your drains isn’t something that you can do yourself. Without the right tools and training, you’ll only be able to do a partial job at best, and you run the risk of damaging your plumbing. Plumbers have sophisticated tools, including drain cameras, that allow them to target their cleaning and make sure they don’t leave anything behind.
Myth: All Plumbers Are the Same
If you type “drain cleaning near me” into your search box, you’ll come up with a bunch of different companies. And that makes sense, since drain cleaning is a common service, and most plumbing contractors offer it in some form or another. However, you shouldn’t assume that all plumbers are the same—because the fact is, they’re not!
When you’re looking for a plumber to clean your drains, you want to make sure you choose a contractor that is both licensed and insured. You also want to look at reviews from other customers to make sure they’ve had good experiences.
Finally, it’s worth your time to find a company that specializes in drain cleaning. These plumbers typically have more experience in cleaning drains and usually employ the latest technology to make sure that they leave your system as clean as possible. Even better, find a company that provides an eco-friendly approach to their work, so that you can be sure that your drain cleaning will be as environmentally responsible as possible.
Drain Cleaning Near Me
If you’re dealing with slow drains or if you’d like to keep your drains flowing as freely as possible, contact the experts at Moffett Plumbing today to schedule your next appointment! We proudly service communities within and near Orange County, CA. We’re your red-van guys!
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