With all of the chemical drain cleaners on the market, it often feels like you, as a homeowner, can unclog any drain yourself. While we know that you certainly can get rid of some clogs on your own – there are times when the situation may call for a professional.

Here’s a look at how DIY drain cleaning shapes up against cleaning done by a pro.

DIY Drain Cleaning

Most DIYers have tools to hand. They keep a bottle of foam, liquid or gel drain cleaner in the house and they have a plunger. Some more ambitious DIYers have a snake or a bottle of compressed air around the house as well.

Unfortunately, when you use chemical drain cleaners, the chemicals aren’t just attacking nasty clogs. They can eat away at the cement holding your piping together. Additionally, the drain cleaners that are on the market are filled with dangerous and poisonous chemicals. If you have children or pets – or you’d like to lower your carbon footprint – it’s a good idea to stay away from chemical cleaners. Instead, try this natural, nontoxic formula.

Plungers and other mechanical methods are your best bet for clearing away blockages in your drains. Many, many homeowners have saved their floors, carpets, walls, and more from serious damage through fast action with a plunger. So, we highly recommend that you keep two plungers – one you use for the toilet and the other for other, cleaner drains.

Many DIYers also use compressed air or a snake to clear a clog. This can be a little more tricky, however. Compressed air has a 50/50 chance of making a dent in the problem – and it can cause debris to come flying backward out of the drain and onto you or your floor.

You can use a snake if you understand how it works – and know that your sewer system doesn’t have any structural issues that may be made worse by snaking. Often, when a sewer line or drain doesn’t clear with simple methods, there is more wrong than meets the eye. Your system could have root intrusion, broken pipes, or offset sewer lines. A snake won’t fix those issues.

Professional Drain Cleaning

When a clog doesn’t clear using your DIY methods, or you have a drain that always clogs no matter what you do – it’s time to call in the professionals. Not only are we able to diagnose why a clog is happening, but we also won’t use harmful chemicals to clear a clog, and we will leave your home in a better condition than we found it.

Clog Busters has professional equipment for all types of problems. We can snake your drains, hydroplane your pipes, and can even put a camera into your system to discover the root cause of a persistent clog. It might be that all of your DIY methods would have worked – if only your pipes were set at a proper angle.

There are many reasons for a drain clog. If you can’t easily find a solution or you are at your wit’s end tackling your plumbing system, don’t Google around for more DIY remedies. Call in the professionals and let us help you not only remove the clog but find a permanent solution. We service Portland and surrounding cities – so if you are in or around the Portland/Vancouver area, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are available 24/7 for emergencies and provide free estimates.

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