5 Drain Cleaning Myths You Should Stop Believing

While drain cleaning is regarded as an important part of any plumbing maintenance plan, many homeowners are bogged down with false information from the likes of online forums and amateur plumbers everywhere.

The drain myths are as counterproductive as one might think! They keep homeowners from seeking out the proper cleaning services to keep their drains fast and their plumbing reliable and can even lead to drain damage in the name of a fast fix.

If you’re looking to separate fact from fiction, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston can help! We’re here to discuss five of the most common drain cleaning myths we've encountered while on the job:

Myth #1: Plungers Should Always Be Used First

If you have a stopped-up sink, an overflowing toilet, or another clogged drain, your first thought may be to grab the plunger and give it a go. Plunger properly may free the clog and let things get back to normal, but plunging too fast with too much force or otherwise using the plunger incorrectly can cause the clog to go deeper in your system.

This isn't good! Not only will it be harder to locate, but it can also be harder to remove the deeper it's pushed into your system. Luckily, turning to a local plumber can help you solve the issue without ever having to rely too much on your plunger.

Myth #2: Drains That Are a Little Slow Are No Big Deal

While your shower's standing water hasn't risen to your ankles yet, the inch of water caused by your drain issues is only the beginning. Writing off slow drainage as a minor inconvenience or just putting off doing something about it can certainly burn you in the end.

A slow drain is caused by a problem that'll need to be fixed if you would ever like to regain your drain's power. At the first sign of drainage problems around the home, reach out to a plumber for help – as well as a proper drain cleaning!

Getting your drains cleaned will help you freshen up your pipes, provide long-lasting relief for your drain, and work to prevent numerous other problems for your plumbing system. One or more clogs can lead to sewage backup, burst pipes, leaks, water damage, and more in your home.

Myth #3: Drain Cleaning is Too Expensive

Many homeowners avoid giving their home's plumbing the care it needs to avoid problems simply because they think the services are too expensive. While repairs can sometimes be costly, drain cleaning remains one of the most affordable preventative maintenance services you can have done to your system.

And it'll save you money as well! Professionally cleaned drains are less susceptible to clogs and backup, so with the right maintenance plan, you'll be dealing with fewer calls to your plumber!

Myth #4: Store-Bought Drain Cleaner is Safe

While chemical drain cleaners have become a quick and easy fix for slow-moving sinks and clogged drains, it's best to avoid them to save yourself time, money, and headaches. Plumbers don't usually recommend the use of drain cleaners because they can cause problems for your plumbing system.

Some problems with drain cleaners include:

• The overuse of drain cleaning can destroy the bacteria balance in septic tanks
• If the clog doesn't clear, the chemicals can sit at the bottom of standing water which creates unsafe conditions for your plumber if splashback occurs
• Any metal pipe corrosion can be eaten through, causing damage to accelerate and leaks to occur
• The highly toxic chemicals drain cleaners will enter the sewer and can negatively impact the environment by entering lakes and other water sources

Not only do the harsh chemicals used in drain cleaners cause a number of issues for your system, but they're also infamous for providing nothing more than temporary relief to your system. The walls of your drain can remain full of gunk even after the cleaner is used – future clogs can be expected.

Choosing to seek out a professional drain cleaning will ensure that the clog is blasted away and the drain is thoroughly cleaned of residue left behind, preventing another clog.

Myth #5: DIY Drain Cleaning is the Same as Calling a Plumber

If you've heard that cleaning your drains with salt, baking soda, vinegar, hot water, lemon, and other household ingredients is effective, you're not totally wrong!

These drain cleaning home remedies can provide temporary relief to your system, but it's important to remember that do-it-yourself drain cleaning, and all other DIY plumbing services for that matter, don't always address the actual problem at hand.

A slow drain is often a part of a bigger issue for your plumbing, whether it's a deep sewer clog, tree root intrusion, or something else. Finding help from a local plumber will make sure that an inspection is done to locate the cause of any of your clogs, preventive measures are put in place to avoid them in the future, and a drain cleaning is completed to restore the reliability of your drain.

Got a Blocked Drain? Frequent Clogs? Here's What to Do

At Mr Rooter of Greater Charleston, we're here to handle any and all of your home's drain cleaning needs. While we're here to destroy clogs of all sizes with the one-time clog removals and cleanings, we're also able to provide your system with the routine drain cleaning services needed to prevent clogs in the first place!

Drain cleaning should be done at least once a year, and more often for properties that have many drains, a lot of people using them, or unique drain or plumbing needs. With trusted systems like our HydroScrub® Jetting and snaking, we'll ensure the best drain cleaning methods are being used to give you the long-lasting results you deserve!

Don't wait around for a clog – contact us online to request your drain cleaning estimate in North Charleston.