As a new homeowner, I can tell you that things aren't always as simple as they appear. I started thinking about it a few years ago, and I realized that there were some serious problems with our plumbing system. We had issues with drains working correctly and toilets flushing like they should, so I started focusing more heavily on understanding the basics of our plumbing system. Within a few short months the entire system was operating more fluidly because of a few changes that I made, so I wanted to create a blog all about my journey. Check out these articles to learn more about the plumbing basics.
Understanding Plumbing Basics
Signs Your Drain Problem Requires Professional Attention
Jorge Alexander
Most people think about drain cleaning as something they're pretty capable of doing themselves. It's not that hard to plunge a drain, and you can pour boiling water or vinegar down a drain to alleviate most tough clogs. However, it does sometimes become necessary to call a professional who provides drain cleaning services. Here are some instances in which making that call is really smart.
You've plunged and that did not work.
If you plunge a drain and nothing budges, then you can try pouring some boiling water or vinegar down there, waiting 20 minutes, and trying to plunge again. But if that does not work, it's a good idea to call a drain cleaning service. The clog may be too far down in the pipes for the plunger to be effective, or it could be caused by something you can't plunge away, like tree roots.
You're pretty sure someone put something down there.
Sometimes kids and pets sneak things into the drains without you knowing it. Other times, you're pretty sure they put something down there. Maybe a dog toy mysteriously disappeared at the same time the drain clogs, or perhaps your 3-year-old has been trying to flush socks for days, and you just know they did it when you left them unattended for two minutes to feed the cat. Actual objects are hard to remove from drains without the right equipment, so rely on the pros for this one.
The drains are gurgling.
Are the drains making gurgling noises as water slowly slides down? This is a pretty sure sign that the problem isn't actually with your drain but with the vents connected to the drain. The air can't escape through the vents, so it is trying to escape through the drain itself, and the water can't drain freely. Clearing vents isn't that hard for a drain cleaning pro, but it's not really something you can do yourself.
Multiple drains are not draining.
Have several drains stopped draining all at once? You almost certainly have a blockage in one of your larger connecting pipes, and that kind of blockage really needs to be removed with a plumbing snake or a hydro jet, which are not pieces of equipment that you can purchase yourself.
Drain cleaning professionals can come to the rescue when you find yourself in a tight spot with a stubborn clog. Don't hesitate to give them a call when you're in need.
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