Sometimes, using a drain snake can push the clog deeper into the pipe, making the blockage even worse. This often happens if the clog is caused by mineral buildup, like hard water deposits, that can be scraped off and further block the drain.
Corroded pipes are more likely to be damaged if a drain snake is not handled by a professional. The tip of the snake can easily scrape the inside of the pipe. If your pipe is already rusting, this damage can quickly become serious. Improper snaking can also lead to water leakage problems as the pipe could burst open.
In short – yes, snaking a drain yourself can make a clog worse. When someone without plumbing expertise tries to use a drain snake, they can make the clog worse or cause damage to their drain pipes. While many clogs are caused by objects stuck in your pipe, they can also occur due to mineral build-up.
One of the main reasons plumbers dislike liquid drain cleaners is that they can actually cause more harm than good. These products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause damage over time.
If the clog is more than some eggshells trapped in the pipe, then drain cleaner won't help it. Sometimes drains back up because of sewer problems or broken pipes, which obviously a drain cleaner won't fix. Instead of using these harsh chemical cleaners, try using a plunger next time you have a clog.
Liquid drain cleaners work by inducing chemical reactions meant to dissolve organic materials. However, these reactions can generate excessive heat that weakens the seals in PVC pipes, making them particularly bad for these types of pipes.
Frequency of Cleanings
Some people say weekly, bi-monthly or quarterly. However, we feel that cleaning your drains monthly should be sufficient to avoid major plumbing issues. A monthly cleaning will allow you to use safe cleaning methods which will save you time, energy and money in the long term.
Plumbers unanimously encourage homeowners not to use Drano due to its corrosive nature. The chemicals in Drano can erode not only the clogged material causing the blockage but will also quickly eat away at the metal plumbing pipes themselves, causing more harm than good.
Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid)
Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.
For this home remedy, all you need to do is pour a pot of boiling water down the bathtub drain. Then pour a mixture of one cup baking soda and one cup vinegar into the drain. Insert the drain plug, or close the filter, and wait 5–10 minutes. Finally, flush the drain with another pot of boiling water.
If your plumber snake isn't clearing the clog properly, try: Cleaning the drain snake. If you haven't cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. You must clean this end for it to be effective.
While drain snaking can effectively remove roots from drain pipes, plumbing companies also offer drain hydro-jetting if you prefer a long-term solution for your root problems. As its name suggests, this service uses the help of a hydro jetter and is more expensive than drain snaking.
Snaking your shower drain can be done at least once a month to remove residue and hair, and professional cleaning of the whole draining system should be done once a year.
The first step when using a drain snake is to slowly feed the auger tip of the plumber's snake into the wall pipe (or P-trap/trap arm if you did not remove them. If you didn't, run cold water as you snake the line).
2. Use a wet vacuum. If you have a wet/dry vacuum, you have a great tool for unclogging drains. Simply turn it to the wet setting and cover the drain.
Common culprits for drain blockages include hair, grease, food debris, and foreign objects, and each of these types of blockage behaves differently, which is why it's impossible to say whether or not a blocked drain will simply clear itself on its own. It really comes down to two simple words: it depends.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.
Use Croc Crete to Remove Hardened Cement
This is the best method of removing hardened concrete from a drainage system. Croc Crete is a cement softener that attacks concrete at its core. It transforms cement back to its liquid form, allowing you to work it through the drain.
Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs.
How to Unclog Your Drain with Dawn Dish Soap: Add Dawn Soap: Squeeze about two full squirts of Dawn dish soap directly down the clogged drain. Wait: Allow the soap to sit in the drain for about 15-20 minutes. This gives it time to break down any grease or debris causing the blockage.
When a drain clog is ignored, the consequences can be serious. Left unchecked, a clogged drain can lead to a variety of plumbing problems, from reduced water pressure to flooding and sewage backups.
Allowing the baking soda and vinegar mixture to sit in the drain for an extended period, such as overnight, can improve its effectiveness. The prolonged contact with the clog helps break down the build-up more thoroughly, making it easier to flush away with hot water the following morning.