Having a clog in your sewer line can lead to foul odors, backups in your drains, slow drainage and issues with your landscaping. Homeowners often turn to chemical drain cleaners and various DIY methods to try to clear a blockage. Unfortunately, this can often make the situation worse or cause pipe damage.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Lots of drain cleaners often contain caustic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, lye, sulfuric acid and bleach. While sometimes effective for small clogs higher up in your drainage system, in general, these products are damaging. They can harm the interior of your pipes as they generate heat and cause corrosion, leading to leaks. There are safer products you can put down your drains, but they generally won’t reach a blockage that is deep within your sewer system. Chemicals won’t touch a problem like tree roots growing through the pipes.

Tree Root Intrusion

It’s common for a sewer line blockage to be the result of tree roots growing through pipes. This intrusion allows debris to accumulate easily, preventing water from flowing through. A professional can perform a camera inspection to determine if tree roots are the issue. DIY methods won’t be effective at removing roots. Rather, a process like hydro jetting will be necessary. This is when a professional uses high-pressure water to break roots apart and wash them away from the home.

Structural Plumbing Problems

If you have pipe damage inside your sewer system, professional repair is necessary. Chemicals aren’t going to be any help in this scenario. Without professional remediation, you can experience leaks, backups and hazardous conditions. Professionals will look for issues like cracks in pipes and pipe collapse, misalignment and sagging. A proper plan of action is necessary to fix these kinds of problems.

Temporary DIY Fixes

In many cases, a DIY fix may provide temporary relief from a plumbing problem. However, the problem usually returns. Clearing away a little bit of material out of your drain may allow water to start moving freely. It won’t take long before debris starts to accumulate again and cause another clog. The cycle of maintenance continues until the main cause of the problem is something that a professional addresses.

The Use of Professional Equipment

Professionals use equipment and processes like hydro jetting, augers, root cutting blades and cameras to diagnose and fix drain issues. Homeowners generally only have access to store-bought drain cleaners, which we know are damaging and destructive.

Fix a drain clog the first time to avoid ongoing problems and more extensive issues. Contact our team here at Ace’s Plumbing in Hilton Head, SC to schedule professional drain cleaning.