Clogged Drains And The Tools That Plumbers Use

It is almost impossible to go without having to deal with a clogged drain at some point in your life. No matter the reason, clogged drains can be common in any household. Luckily, there are several ways to take care of clogged drains. 

Whether you decide to do it yourself or call out a professional plumber to handle it, these are some of the ways the clog can be cleared using different tools or methods. 

Let’s get into the first tool that plumber’s use to unclog a drain. 

Camera Inspection

Using a pipe inspection camera will help a plumber determine where the clog is inside the pipe. Without this tool, there would be no way of knowing how far down the clog is in the pipe and also what is causing the clog so your plumber can clean it out correctly. 

A pipe camera is a video camera that attaches to the cable. A plumber will use this to send it down into the drain pipe until they locate the clog and can see the issue that needs resolved. This is usually always the first step in unclogging drains. After they inspect the drain, they can determine which tool would be most equipped to solve the issue. 

Plunger 

We all know that we use plungers to unclog toilets, but did you know that they can also be useful in unclogging a sink or bathtub? It’s true, and this might be what you’ll do as your first attempt at unclogging a drain on your own. If this doesn’t solve your issue, you may be dealing with a much heavier clog and will need to acquire a different tool to unclog your drain.

Manual Drain Snake

A manual drain snake is a long cable that has an end that resembles a corkscrew. There is a handle that attaches to the cable and is what you use to be able to crank through the drain. 

Once the cable hits the clog, the plumber will push through the clog with cable until it is completely clear.

Motorized Drain Snake

 A motorized drain snake is very much similar to a manual one. If there is a stubborn clog or even bigger pipes, this is the type of drain snake that would be used. This drain snake gives more power to be able to push through tougher clogs. These types of snakes have automatic feeds that are able to facilitate the movement of the cable. 

Drain Auger

Drain augers are similar to drain snakes. They can tackle clogs in toilets or showers and can also be put to use for clogged sinks and smaller drains. You can get drain augers in motorized or manual designs like the drain snakes. 

Hydro Jetting

A plumber will use a hydro jet for the toughest of clogs. Hydro jetting can be used to remove tough clogs that include things such as grease, hair, mineral buildup, toilet paper, and even tree roots. Whatever may be causing your clog, under the right circumstances, hydro jetting can resolve the toughest of clogs. 

Hydro jetting is so beneficial because it is a fast and efficient service. The other advantage is that hydro jetting is environmentally friendly because it only uses high-pressurized water to clear the entire pipe of any clog and extra buildup.

Hair Snake 

It is common that the reason why your drain isn’t working properly is because of your hair. Did you know that the average person sheds around 50 to 100 hairs each day? I bet you could guess that most of this shedding takes place while you are in the shower, which is why you can frequently run into your shower drain not draining properly. 

This type of tool catches your hair so you can pull it out of the drain and is typically plastic. They come in a variety of sizes so you can choose one that best fits your drain. If you are looking for other options to clean hair out of your shower drain, click here.

Home Remedies to Unclog Drains

The great thing about home remedies is that you most likely have these materials already in your home. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar will produce a bubbling reaction and can work to loosen a clog. After this, make sure you pour hot water down the drain to flush out the rest of the clog and any remaining residue. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many different tools that you can use to unclog a drain. Some, though, need a professional to ensure that they handle it safely and correctly. Some of these tools require experience in order to handle it. That can be tricky if it is your first time handling one of these tools, especially a drain snake. If you feel as if it is in your best interest to call a plumber, then you should do so. 

Call 1-Tom-Plumber 

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with a drain cleaning service.  1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem.

We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.