Clogged drains are a common nuisance that stops water from draining out of your shower, toilet, or sink. No matter the reason, it’s important to unclog the drain to prevent further damage to the piping system throughout your home. While it’s possible to clean a drain without the help of a plumber, there’s a good chance that you’ll make a mistake. Even the smallest mistake can create hazards or make the clog worse. If you want to clean your drains, here are some basic safety tips you should follow.

Potential Drain Cleaning Issues

Even if you have some experience unclogging drains, it doesn’t take much for clogs to become more compact and difficult to get rid of. In this scenario, there’s a higher risk of causing damage to the surrounding plumbing while you attempt to unclog the drain. A plumber will have the expertise needed to identify if the problem is a minor or severe one. Some of the more common drain-cleaning challenges you might encounter include:

• Safely handling toxic chemicals
• Identifying the location of the clog
• Keeping damage at bay
• Correcting the underlying problem

Safety Tips to Consider

The most important thing to remember when you clean any drain in your home is to do so in a safe and cautious manner. When drains are improperly cleaned, there’s a risk of pipe damage and skin burns. Any damage that’s done to the drains can cost thousands of dollars to repair.

If you decide to use a plumbing snake or drain cleaner, carefully read the instructions to make sure you’re using the product correctly. You should also wear protective clothing when dealing with chemicals, which includes everything from leather gloves to goggles. Some additional safety tips you should adhere to include:

• Follow every safety instruction if you decide to use an electrically operated drain snake
• Beware of toxic fumes when using chemicals to clean your drains
• Pour chemicals slowly to avoid splashes
• Don’t combine two or more chemicals when attempting to unclog a drain

Call Professional Plumbers

If you’re unable to unclog your drain, a professional plumber can help fix this problem for you. There are some clear signs that it’s time to contact a plumber. These include:

• Your plumbing system is older and more susceptible to clogs
• You notice strange smells and gurgling sounds
• Water is draining slowly from a sink or bathtub
• Several clogged drains occur around the same time
• You’ve been unable to correct the issue with DIY techniques

Not every clog is easy to fix. If you’d like to avoid dealing with chemicals and managing the risk of causing additional damage, you can hire a plumber. Get in touch with us at Total Care Plumbing in Grand Forks, ND today to schedule drain cleaning services.