DIY vs Professional Drain Cleaning

A slow sink or backed-up shower is a common frustration in any home. At first, it may seem like a small issue, but it can quickly become a sign that something is building up inside the pipe. Are you tempted to grab a bottle of drain cleaner from the shop? Or is it time to call a professional plumber? Let’s look at both options.

DIY Drain Cleaning Methods You Can Try at Home

If your sink is blocked, it's totally fine to try a few simple fixes yourself before calling a plumber. You can try these quick methods at home using common household items. Before you put on your handyman hat, we just want to stress that you should never mess with pipes if you’re unsure what you’re doing. DIY should be kept simple, and if you’re unable to find the problem with ease we suggest giving Jet Blaster Man a buzz to get a professional plumber on the case.

Look at the Drain Opening or Use A Plunger

The best place to start your investigation is the drain opening. If you’re lucky, your blockage might be near the top and easily fixable with a plunger. Clearing what you can see may be enough to fix the issue if the blockage hasn’t moved further down your pipes.

Loosen Grease With Hot Water

This is one of the easiest home plumbing methods to try. Warm water helps soften light grease in the sink, washing away the grime with ease. We want to stress that you should avoid using boiling water, especially if you’re unsure about what material your pipes are made out of. Boiling water can melt or warp modern PVC pipes and weaken the glued joints, creating an even bigger problem than the one you’re trying to solve. 

Use Baking Soda with Vinegar

When you mix baking soda with vinegar it creates a fizzing reaction that can help loosen light build-up in the drain. You can leave the mixture to sit for a bit, then flush it down with some hot tap water to help rinse the loosened debris.

Remove Hair Near the Top of the Drain

If your problem drain is in the bathroom, you might be dealing with a build up of hair and soap. You’ll need to remove the sink stopper or lift the shower drain to get started. If the hair is tangled, you can use a sink hair remover tool to remove it. Needle-nose pliers are also handy in a pinch.

When to Call a Professional Plumber in Newcastle

If you can’t see the problem or don’t know how to fix it, you can end up doing more damage than what you originally set out to fix. If you already tried multiple solutions but the problem keeps coming back, it’s usually a sign that there’s a bigger problem at play.

Here are some things to keep in mind so you know when to book a plumber:

More Than One Drain Is Slow

If more than one drain is slow, your blockage may be deeper in the system and require proper drain clearing methods that go beyond a quick round of drain cleaner.

Water Is Backing Up Into the Sink

If the same sink keeps blocking, a DIY fix is probably not targeting the true cause. The real culprit may still be sitting deeper in the pipe, such as grease build-up that requires a bit more oomph to flush it out. In some cases, there could also be pipe corrosion or tree root intrusion.

Drains Play Up After Heavy Rain

In Newcastle, seasonal rain can bring leaves, dirt, roots, or debris into your drainage system. If the sink starts playing up around the same time, it’s best to call in someone who can find a permanent solution.

Which Method is Right for You?

The choice between DIY and professional drain cleaning depends on what kind of blockage you’re dealing with. For example, hair in the shower drain is something most households are able to take care of by themselves. All you have to remember is that if your blockage isn’t obvious or if you don’t have the right tools, professional drain cleaning may be the safer option.

Drain cleaners can be great for small issues with sinks, but sometimes they don’t target the true problem. It’s worth remembering that chemical cleaners only dissolve a small hole through the clog to get the water moving temporarily. If you’re going through multiple bottles of drain cleaner in a year, it’s probably cheaper in the long run to call a plumber. Our tools allow for a more thorough clean, which prevents clogs from coming back and won’t mess with your pipes.

Regular professional cleaning can also improve water flow through the drain. A lot of pipe headaches build up over the course of months, so a home maintenance schedule can save you money over time by lowering your chances of sudden plumbing problems. 

Need Help With a Blocked Sink? Call Jet Blaster Man

The next time you deal with a stubborn drain blockage, call Jet Blaster Man for expert help. With the right tools plus experienced plumbers, we can handle tough drain problems effectively. We will help get your plumbing flowing properly again without the damage or unnecessary risk.