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Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Blog

How to Clean Your Drains

tap-water-flowing-down-drainWhen we refer to “drain cleaning in Des Plaines, IL,” what we are talking about is methods to remove clogs from your drain pipes. This is one of the most frustrating problems there is for a homeowner to deal with. You might be doing something totally benign, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower, when all of the sudden a drain backs up and you’re dealing with a huge pool of water you can’t get rid of.

And sure, it’s easy to look for a quick solution, but there are problems with that! So, what should you do when your drains are clogged? How do you clean your drains?

First, Avoid Store-Bought Drain Cleaning Solutions

This is that “quick solution” we mentioned above. Sure, it seems like drain cleaning chemicals you can buy over the counter would be one of the easiest ways to unclog a drain or two. However, most of the time, they don’t actually work. This is because the chemicals in drain cleaning liquids are formulated to dissolve some types of clogs—like hair—but not all. In fact, you can’t count on them at all for other common blockages, like grease.

Chemical drain cleaners are also very caustic, with toxic ingredients in them. This makes them unhealthy to be around, first off. But it also makes them bad for your pipes! Continued use will eventually eat away at your pipes until you need repiping services—when it would have been a lot more cost effective to just schedule professional drain cleaning!

“Can’t I Just Use a Plunger or Rent a Drain Auger?”

Certainly try these first! Plungers are the number one go-to for most superficial clogs, especially when it comes to the toilet or kitchen sink. Quite often, that’s all that’s needed. It creates suction that enables the blockage to loosen up and make its way down the drain. You just have to be persistent and use a whole lot of “elbow grease.”

Home drain augers are another option. They can do damage if not used properly, however, so do keep that in mind. When you’re using a drain auger the right way, you may need to continue pushing after you hit a clog so you can hook onto it in order to wind it back up and out of the drain. Some homeowners choose to skip this for the faster option of hiring a pro.

Professional Drain Cleaning Services

In some cases, professional drain cleaning may simply be what’s necessary for your clog. We have many tools at our disposal, plus the knowledge and training on how to use them. These include:

  • Motorized Drain Augers: Professional-grade drain augers are motorized, which allows them to reach further down in the pipes and break up stubborn clogs with auger attachments such as a rotating blade.
  • Video Pipe Inspection: This allows us to unobtrusively explore your plumbing to see exactly what is causing the clog. This can help guide our plumbers’ decisions on what to do next, saving you money and time as a result.
  • Hydro-Jetting: This involves the use of a long, thin hose to blast water into the pipes and clear out clogs, in addition to debris and greasy residue that may reside within your pipes. This not only eliminates the current clog, but makes it less likely that it will occur again.

For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!

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