Top Five Drain Cleaning Methods

For drain cleaning jobs, there are a variety of tools of the trade. Some of them can be utilized by the average DIY homeowner, but many are best utilized by a professional plumber.

Chemical Cleaners
This may well be the first solution that comes to mind when people are faced with the problem of drain cleaning. These cleaners come in both liquid and solid forms. Many can be found for a low cost from hardware stores and are relatively safe to use. However, there are also highly corrosive acid cleaners that should be used only by professional plumbers. Some of these products come in pre-mixed formulas with concentrations of up to 50%, while others come in 2-part mixtures that utilize chemical reactions to produce foam, which coats the pipe and works to dislodge the culprits causing the clog. 

Hand Held Augers
These drain-cleaning tools utilize mechanical rotations to clean areas of drains that are within 25 feet of openings. The thin cables pass through sink traps easily but can scratch the ceramic of toilets; because of their small diameter, they're most effective on thinner pipes. Like many chemical cleaners, these tools are available at most hardware stores for a relatively low cost. Protective measures you can take include wearing goggles and gloves, as well as thoroughly washing any part of your body that contacts drain fluids.

Air Burst Cleaners
This method utilizes accelerated air or other gaseous substances to rupture the membrane of the clog. Basically, the force of the gas works to dislodge clogs that have accumulated close to the opening of the drain. Cleaning with this method can be helpful in quickly resolving slow drains and can dislodge clogs beyond the reach of a plunger, yet without the risks involved with auger use. With proper eye protection and caution in handling unused cartridges of compressed gas, a homeowner can certainly attempt to use these products.

Homemade Cleaners
If you don't have any of the above-mentioned tools or the appropriate commercially produced cleaning products on hand, you can attempt to make your own with boiling water, baking soda, and chased down by vinegar. These readily available substances combine frugality with environmental friendliness; however, they are not as effective as the other options. Of course, boiling water should be moved and poured with care.

Plumber's Snakes
These electric cleaners use motors to twist cables or springs and drive them into the pipes. Available in lengths up to 60 feet that can reach up to 125 feet, the cables are ideal for long sections of drains and removal of solid objects that produce clogs. Because heavy-duty protection, electrical grounding, and heavy and costly items are required for this method, it's probably best left to the pros.

If you need a drain cleaning job done, feel free to try one or more of these methods on your own, but if the problem is out of your hands, calling a plumber is probably the way to go.