When a blockage occurs in your home’s drainage system it’s important to clear the clogging quickly.
How we choose to keep our drains blockage-free differs. Some people use traditional methods like auguring and chemicals. Others choose high-powered jet washers. But which is the best method for you?
To help you decide, here’s a run-down of the most popular drain cleaning methods and their pros and cons.
Pros and cons of popular drain cleaning methods
Drain snake
Auguring or snaking drains uses a long, flexible metal cable with a coil or blades at the end. The cable is inserted into the drain and rotated to break up any blockages.
Advantages:
- Cost-effective – It’s less expensive than other methods.
- Accessible – They’re designed for domestic use, so you don’t have to be a professional to use one.
- Versatile – Even snakes made for household use can stretch beyond 25-50 feet, so they’re able to resolve blockages deep into the plumbing system.
Disadvantages:
- Limited capability – Snakes are designed for simple blockages like sinks, toilets or showers, so they’re not appropriate for complex drain issues.
- Residue – Sometimes using a snake results in residue left behind that worsens the problem. The metal cable can become caught or push the debris deeper into the pipe.
- Potential damage – Although they’re not complicated in application, misusing a snake can corrode the pipework and cause damage.
Chemical drain cleaners
Powerful acids and alkalis are used in chemical drain cleaners. Their surfactants react with metal piping to generate heat, melting the grease and scum that builds up in the drainage system.
Advantages:
- Convenience – These products are easy to get ahold of and they’re quick to dissolve small blockages in the pipes.
- Preventative maintenance – Considerate use of drain cleaners prevents the build up of scum, grease and debris in your pipes.
Disadvantages:
- Environmental impact – Constantly pouring chemicals into the drain is harmful to the environment. While it’s good to keep your drains well maintained, these chemicals are not for daily use.
- Health risks – Harsh chemicals can cause respiratory issues and damage skin.
- Pipe damage – Using chemical drain cleaners for a prolonged period can corrode your pipes over time due to their reactivity.
Jet washing
For severe blockages jet washing is a modern drain cleaning technique that uses high-pressure water jets to blast away debris and thoroughly clean pipes.
Advantages:
- Thorough – This method completely clears the pipes of any debris, reducing the possibility of future blockages.
- Environmentally conscious – Jet washing only uses water. There’s no harmful chemicals that will seep into the ground or waterworks.
- Range of use – Professionals can use jet washers in household drains as well as public drainage systems. They’re ideal for both residential and commercial use.
Disadvantages:
- Cost – This service is more expensive, less accessible and requires specialised equipment.
- Professional service – Jetwashing drains typically requires a professional to operate the equipment, this can increase the overall cost.
- Potential for damage – When used incorrectly, high-pressure water application can damage fragile, older pipes.
Which drain cleaning method is best?
A combination of chemical drain cleaner and some auguring will work for small blockages found in domestic drains.
This method is good for investigating the severity of blockage issues and in some cases can completely resolve the problem. If your shower, sink or toilet isn’t emptying properly this method is usually safe to try out.
Jetwashing pipework should only be done by professionals who have experience using high-pressure cleaning tools on fragile structures like dated drainage systems.
When should you call a professional?
If you’re noticing water isn’t draining properly in your home, it’s likely that there is an obstruction in the pipes.
While you can do some investigation to see what the issue could be, it’s best to consult a professional in drain repair before attempting it yourself. If the issue is with drains outside of your property, call a professional right away.
Final thoughts
When tackling a blockage in your drain pipes there are a variety of methods you can try out to investigate the cause and relieve some of the clogging. But for more complex issues and larger blockages it’s best to contact a professional to prevent causing damage to your pipework.