The job of a plumbing system is to bring water to any building. Inevitably, there will come a time where you will deal with a clogged drain regardless of where you live. A clogged drain causes a myriad of problems, which is why most people would fix the problem themselves.

There are many ways to fix clogged drains, and one of them includes drain snaking. Effective as it may be, it can cause more problems if an inexperienced person uses a drain snake to clear a clog. 

For this reason, it’s recommended that drain snaking should be left to plumbing professionals. This article highlights reasons why it’s your best course of action. Read on below to learn more.

Interior Pipe Damage

Old homes tend to have old plumbing systems as well. If a drain snake is used on them, it can do more harm than good because of corrosion. 

Corroded pipes are more likely to be damaged by a drain snake if not handled by a professional. The drain snake’s tip can scrape the inside of the pipe, which leads to other plumbing problems such as leaks.

Exposure to Toxic Water

Trying to clear a drain by yourself means touching dirty drainage water. The contaminated water can come rushing at you as soon as you start working on unclogging the drain. 

What’s even worse is that it can splash your face, which is already a massive health hazard on its own because of the bacteria and other contaminants in the water.

Possibility of Injuries

It may seem far-fetched, but you can get injuries if you use a drain sink the wrong way. The tip of a drain snake is sharp enough to cut you, and it will worsen if you happen to splash dirty water on your wound because of infection.

Worsening Condition

If you have no experience handling a drain snake, then things are more likely to take a turn for the worse. A clog is usually caused by a blockage that hasn’t flushed down the drain, but there are other times when it’s caused by mineral build-up due to hard water. 

These minerals can cause scaling, which does nothing but cause a more extensive blockage in your pipe if you use a drain snake on it.

Possibility of Using the Wrong Tool

A drain snake may help unclog your pipe, but it may not be the best solution depending on the type of clog that your pipe has. 

Aside from that, there are also many kinds of drain snakes, and it’s best to use the right tool. The different types of drain snakes are as follows:

• Top snake – the smallest one that’s used in most unclogging jobs
• Mini-rooter – better than a top snake because they can cut items into smaller pieces, allowing for easier unclogging
• Toilet auger – a drain snake that’s specifically designed for toilets
• Large drain machine – heavy-duty drain snakes that can extend for up to 200 ft and are often used in pipes at least 3 inches in diameter.

Conclusion

Using a drain snake is an excellent way to unclog your pipes, but it will do you more harm than good if you’re inexperienced when it comes to handling one. Your best course of action is to let a professional plumber handle the job because they’ll know what to do.

A plumbing problem can happen anytime, which is why it’s crucial to have an emergency plumbing service. Candu Plumbing & Rooter provides top-quality services for drain cleaning in San Fernando Valley, and our plumbing professionals are well-equipped to handle any plumbing problems that you can experience. Contact us today to learn more!