Everyone knows to turn to a plunger when a sink or toilet is clogged.
But what do you do next? Next would typically be a snake. The only question is whether or not you should use a snake yourself, or turn to a professional. Here are some reasons to call Dauenhauer instead of trying to charm a snake yourself.
YOU MAY NOT NEED A SNAKE FOR THE JOB
Most homeowners don’t realize there are several different types of tools to unclog drains. Some tools include:
TOP SNAKES
Top snakes tend to be the smallest and are generally used to remove clogs in tubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines and kitchen sinks. Models come in a variety of sizes and you can choose from manual or electric operation.
As the name suggests, these augers are the muscle when a plunger can’t do the job. A hand crank enables a flexible cable to descend into your toilet and break up an obstruction. The benefit of using an auger on a toilet is that it is less likely to scratch the porcelain of your bowl.
MINI-ROOTERS
Mini-rooters and medium drain machines are powered by electricity via a foot pedal to descend into pipes and drains to clear obstructions with different types of cutters. This tool is used when you need to clear out an entire kitchen or a washing machine line.
YOU COULD DAMAGE YOUR PIPES
The number one problem with do-it-yourself snaking of pipes is the potential for damage. Homes with older, galvanized pipes are especially prone to this because the end of the snake can flop around inside the pipe and scrape the sides. The aggressive force from a snake or improper use of a power snake may lead to cracks or complete pipe breakage.
YOU MAY SCRATCH PORCELAIN
The metal of a plumbing snake can leave scratches in the porcelain of your toilet bowl. Not only does this look bad, but it can also lead to rusting, depending on the type of material underneath the porcelain.
Not sure if you should use a snake? Don’t wait. Call your local Louisville Dauenhauer, any hour.