The Benefits of Professional Drain Snaking Solutions to Remove Clogs

You clicked on this article because you are experiencing a minor clog and you want to learn more about how you can effectively remove it. It’s easy to forget about your drain and sewage pipes – it happens to almost every homeowner. In fact, most of us are unaware that we are experiencing an issue until the clog occurs and we have to do something about it. However, there is one very effective solution, it involves using a drain snake. What is a drain snake, exactly? Allow us to explain:

It is a method of removing clogs from various drains throughout your home, including kitchen sinks, faucets, bathtubs, and showers. The tool itself is a flexible 50-foot cable that you extend down into your drain via a manually-operated crank. On the other end of the snake is an augur which is in the shape of a coil that breaks up debris collecting inside your drain pipes.

The process of drain snaking is very delicate and requires a lot of precision. Sometimes you have to physically turn the snake while activating the crank so that it can extend deeper into your drainage system. The auger breaks up any debris that would otherwise be too difficult to remove with a plunger alone.

Drain snaking certainly comes in handy because it’s a viable method of removing clogs and buildup in your drain. Here is what you can expect:

• Drain snaking is the better option in most scenarios. Most people don’t realize that drain snaking makes the most sense when water cannot pass through your drain pipes. We tend to think that by pouring chemical cleaners down our drain, they will remove the clog. This is never usually the case. The clog or buildup is only going to trap the cleaner, which will then begin to eat away at your pipes. This is a situation you will want to avoid. You never want to rush the process when it comes to cleaning out a clogged drain. 
• You can eliminate some of those more stubborn clogs. Drain snaking is very effective when it comes to getting rid of clogs or blockage that a plunger can’t quite remove. Also, clogs inside your drain could be a result of other natural causes, such as tree root intrusion. In a situation such as this, drain snaking may not be the most ideal. However, drain snakes offer you enough power to break up any mud or sediment. 

Stay away from commercial cleaners. This is a no-brainer, although not everyone knows the hazards of using them. Most commercial cleaners contain different chemicals that create some form of heat. They will eat away at your plumbing and cause a great deal of corrosion. Furthermore, if your water is no longer able to pass through your drain, then you will want to stay away from any chemical cleaner. They will only intensify the damage. Chemical cleaners have various other negative effects. If they come into contact with your skin or eyes, then they can cause a lot of irritation or a burning sensation. They are also toxic, so you should try to avoid accidentally consuming or inhaling them.

Drain snaking is certainly viable for unclogging a bathtub or toilet, but it can also do a great deal of good with preventative maintenance. Here are some of the many amazing benefits of a professional drain snaking service:

• Efficient drainage: Using a drain snake on a regular basis is a good way to achieve efficiency and stability. Why wait for a clog to happen when you can undergo certain preventative measures to keep the water flowing through your drain? Your water-using fixtures now are a lot less likely to overflow. 
• No more nasty odors: Regularly drain snaking ensures that you are removing all the debris and organic waste material inside your system. When you allow buildup to occur, you are also allowing bacteria to fester inside your drainage system, which is what produces those nasty odors. 
• Improving your drain and preventing leaks: A lot of the corrosion that occurs inside your drain pipes is attributable to the buildup of minerals and chemical deposits inside your system. However, drain snaking can prevent this from occuring, which in turn will prevent leaks and structural damage to your drain pipes. This means that you are going to get the most out of your drainage system by extending its lifespan significantly. You also have the opportunity to avoid any costly repairs in the future. 
• Preventing clogs from forming: This is without a doubt the greatest benefit of undergoing regular drain snaking procedures throughout your home. This means that you no longer have to deal with backflow or slow draining sinks/faucets. 

Although drain snaking is a viable method of removing clogs and buildup, they are extremely limited against some of the tougher clogs. That’s because they are too dense or thick for the augur to break everything up. Also, consider the length of the drain snake. They can typically have a reach of up to 50-feet, which is certainly helpful for simple clogs, but not ideal for some of the more severe drainage issues. For example, drain snaking won’t have much of an effect on unclogging main sewer lines. 

Furthermore, the width of the augur also plays a role in how effective it will be removing the clog. If it isn’t as wide as the drain pipe, then it will only clear an area that’s the size of the augur. In a situation such as this, you end up leaving behind bits of debris inside your drain. The clog is then likely to recur soon after you remove it. 

Drain snaking is a common cleaning method that most professional drain cleaning services employ. It’s easy to do and it does not require a huge crew of people to get the job done. Also, drain snaking does not require any specialized training, which makes it perfect for a DIY repair project. When done correctly, you will have the water flowing through your drain freely. Drain snaking will clear out most obstructions inside your drain pipes, and they offer you a permanent solution to recurring clogs.

If you want to learn more about drain snaking, then feel free to give us a call! One of our team members can answer all of your questions. You should never undergo a drain cleaning project without consulting a professional first.