How Do Plumbers Unclog Drains?

So, you’ve tried a plumber’s snake or chemical drain cleaners from hardware stores, as well as other DIY remedies for a clogged drain like boiling water and dish soap, baking soda and vinegar followed up with hot water, and more.

You can’t clean your sink drain, tub drain, or toilet drain out – so you call a pro. What will they do differently to address your plumbing problems? Below, the team at Wilco Relining will discuss how professional plumbers may deal with unclogging blocked drains.

1. Drain Augers For Tough Blockages

This is usually the first step that a plumber will take to clean out a drain that’s blocked. Drain augers are basically industrial-grade, powered plumbers’ snakes with a sharp, broad tip that will cut into the drain clog and destroy it.

The long, flexible auger is fed into the drain opening, or sometimes the sewer cleanout opening if the plumber suspects that a sewer blockage is causing your drains to clog and not drain properly. Then, a powerful motor kicks in when the auger reaches the clog, which typically breaks apart quite easily.

In most cases, this is more than enough to break up clogs, even those that did not respond to DIY unclogging steps like using chemical drain cleaners or a plunger.

2. Powerful Chemical Drain Cleaners Sold Only To Licensed Plumbers

Plumbers are able to get access to acid drain cleaners that are not widely available for public use. This is because these drain cleaners are very caustic and can cause serious burns and injuries if used improperly. That’s why they’re best left to the experts.

However, these cleaners are also much more effective at cleaning out tough clogs and blockages, and they are safe for your plumbing when administered properly by a trained professional. These products are also often used alongside drain augers to clear away very tough blockages.

3. Hydro Jetting To Clear Blockages, Tree Roots & More

Hydro jetting uses a special machine that blasts high-pressure water using incredibly high pressure – often between 3,000 and 8,000 PSI. The machine is attached to your drain, and then pumps water through it to break up just about any clog.

In fact, powerful hydro-jetting machines are often tough enough to break up clogs in septic lines caused by tree roots and other such blockages. If a clog won’t respond to chemical drain cleaners or a drain auger, hydro jetting will be the best option – and it will definitely clear your clog, guaranteed.

Got A Tough Clog? Leave It To The Pros!

Choosing professional drain cleaning is the best way to clean your blocked drain – from tub drains to bathroom & kitchen sink drains, toilet drains and more. A pro can diagnose the cause of the issue – which may even be due to issues with your septic line, rather than the individual drain – and take the proper steps to restore your plumbing.

So don’t wait. If you need expert plumbing services because one or more of your drains is backed up and you can’t clear the drain on your own, call Wilco Relining at 1300 512 737 or contact us online to get the help you need in Sydney and the surrounding suburbs.