4. Damaged Pipes — If your home's drainage system is older and made of galvanized materials, there is a very real chance the steelhead of the plumbing snake can scratch the inside of the pipe. Over time, that scratch will rust and weaken the structure of the pipe, until it bursts from the pressure.
If the line is clogged, it will create pressure in it which could cause the line to burst. Other common causes of a broken sewer line include rusted pipes, poor installation, environmental conditions, and punctures.
As you use a plumbing snake, it uncoils down the drain, eventually reaching the obstruction that is blocking the piping and causing the backup. Plumbing snakes are often used when the clog is too big for a plunger to solve. These tools are much more powerful than plungers, but they are trickier to use.
If you have a clogged PVC pipe or want to prevent your pipes from clogging, it may be time to clean the inside of your pipes. Fortunately, with a plunger or snake and some dish soap or enzyme / bacterial drain cleaner, you can easily clean most PVC type piping on your own.
Plunging down too hard
And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl. The proper toilet plunging technique: Place the plunger in the toilet bowl so that water is covering the lips of the plunger. Push down gently to get all the air out of the plunger and to get a good seal.
High Water Pressure
Water pressure is crucial for proper plumbing. The recommended pressure for most domestic water pipes is 40 to 45 psi. If the pressure exceeds 60 psi in your house, the result can be bursting pipes that may explode.
Pipes are most likely to burst when exposed to below-freezing conditions for six hours or more, which can happen throughout winter and early spring. Burst pipes could lead to a disaster, bringing severe water damage to your home.
Best Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaner
If that's what you're looking for, then Biokleen's Bac-Out Drain Care Gel is an easy choice. Instead of harsh chemicals, this gel cleaner is formulated with natural enzymes that are still tough enough to break down build-up and dissolve moderate clogs—all without damaging your pipes.
If you use the wrong type of drain snake for the drain line, the snake could loop back on itself or scrape the sides of the plumbing pipe, causing damage that could lead to leaks and/or the need to replace the damaged piece of pipe.
While snaking is generally considered safe for your pipes, it can damage your pipes if they are in bad shape. Homes that have older pipes are more susceptible to this happening as hairline cracks and corrosion occur over time. Surprisingly, snaking your main line can potentially make the clog worse.
Do you need a plumber to snake a drain? For more minor clogs, you can snake your own drain. However, for heavy-duty clogs or to reach a clog far into your home's plumbing system, you'll need a power auger. A trained plumber best uses this type of tool as untrained individuals can cause pipe damage.
If your snaking session yields plenty of hair and soap scum, but still leaves you with a slow drain, there's a good chance that the P-trap is still obstructed. To clear it, plug the overflow hole with a rag and fill the tub drain with hot water, which will help to soften and loosen soap scum.
When your sewer line becomes clogged, all of the waste leaving your home gets caught in your pipe. These clogs could result in cracked or burst pipes, sewage backflow, and other plumbing emergencies if left untreated, which makes being able to identify a sewer line clog very important.
One of the most harmful things for PVC pipes is sun exposure. PVC that is run above ground and exposed to sunlight can break down faster than it normally would. The ultraviolet rays from the sun can actually break down the structure of PVC material and make it brittle and breakable.
When you are using a baking soda and vinegar solution to clean out your drain, you are actually causing the rubber and plastic that are used for the drain's pipes to be eaten away by the mixture. Over time, this rubber and plastic will break down, causing the drain to become even more blocked.
Without a drain snake, you can use tools and materials available in almost all households. For example, you can use water, commercial cleaners, plungers, baking soda and vinegar blends, and various other methods. We're sure you'll have access to at least one of these methods.
Homemade drain cleaner can break up even the toughest clogs in your sink. Baking soda, vinegar and Dawn dish soap along with boiling water can safely unclog a drain.
Drano is not only ineffective, but it's also extremely damaging to your plumbing system. The heat created by the chemical reaction is more than your drains are designed to take. Corroded, aging plumbing can easily breakdown. Pipes can split and the glue holding them together can disintegrate.
Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a strong acid that is commonly used to dissolve clogs in drains. This acid works by breaking down organic materials such as hair, grease, and soap scum that can accumulate in pipes and cause blockages.
Baking soda and vinegar can serve as a natural solution to unclog and clean a stinky drain.
Water sounds in the walls are another sign. If you hear a constant drip, but know all of your faucets are aren't the cause, a pipe inside the wall is a likely cause for the noise. Additionally, check your other water fixtures before you assume a burst. Toilets, sinks, or tubs also make water noises from time to time.
Before looking at the techniques, you should expect to need to smoke about a dozen bowls to get a cake started, but that will vary. Some pipes with a bare wood chamber will start to break in more quickly, while ones that have a chamber that's been stained may take quite a bit longer.
In a winter cold spell, water pipes may develop ice and form a blockage. If left untreated, this can lead to increased pressure, causing the pipe to burst. A burst water pipe in your home can cause more than $5,000 in damage, so it's important to act quickly. Follow these steps to help minimize the damage.