Which One of These 5 Methods is the Best for Drain Cleaning?
With the plethora of products available, it’s hard to know what one to buy and use for your pestering plumbing issues. First of all, the type of drain you are unclogging as well as the type of clog you are trying to dislodge, have a lot to do with your drain cleaning method. And another thing, if you have plumbing (doesn’t everyone these days) then a clog is inevitable. It’s par for the course when living in a home so don’t feel overwhelmed. Many have done what you’re about to tackle. The best thing you can do is learn about the best products so you’re prepared to best complete the job.
Plunger
A plunger is an inexpensive tool that should be kept on hand for small clogs, most commonly found in the toilet. These are perfect for a quick job that require a few thrusts. The key is maintaining a suction strong enough to dislodge the problem.
Auger
An auger, or a plumber’s snake, can be bought or rented. For the really big problems, such as a clog in your floor drain, you may need to rent a power auger with a cable length of 50 feet or more. For other jobs, a smaller auger will suffice. It requires extending the snake like device through the pipe and cranking it through the accumulated junk.
Chemical cleaners
There are a number of chemical drain cleaners, including liquid and solid cleaners, on the market today. Some come as a mixture that reacts when combined to create a foam-like substance that breaks down more of the build up on the pipes. Most of these types of cleaners are a combination of sodium hypchlorite, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
Home Remedies
There are many home remedies touted as effective in clearing a clogged drain. The most popular probably a combination of sending boiling water down the pipes and then following it with baking soda and then vinegar. This method is worth trying because you probably have all the needed ingredients at home, but if the clog is stubborn you’ll need to move on to one of the other methods talked about here.
Sewer Jetter
A sewer jetter is a high powered hose that uses a controlled high-pressure water source such as a pressure washer, a flexible high pressure line and a nozzle that uses hydraulic force to pull the line into sewer drains, clean the sides of pipes, and flush out residue. It is commonly used by professionals to address a recurring problem and prevent a build up of residue.