Have your drains stopped flowing quickly in your home? If so, you may be dealing with a clogged drain. Without knowing how bad the clog is, it may be a DIY fix or require professional help. Here are some techniques that you can use to try to unclog a drain, and what services a professional can offer if those do not work.

DIY Techniques

There are two techniques you should try if you have a plumbing clog.

Hot Water

The easiest solution to your plumbing problems may be hot water. Try boiling some hot water on your stove and pour it directly into the drain pipe. This really hot water may be enough to dislodge whatever was causing the clog within the pipe. It is fast and free, and a surprisingly simple way to fix the problem.

Plunger

Get out the plunger when hot water doesn't do the trick. The key to using a plunger is knowing the correct way to use it. Submerge the cup of the plunger in the bowl, then gently put pressure on it so that all the air comes out of the cup. Then form a seal over the drain and press down quickly with deliberate thrusts. Continue doing this for about 30 second, which should hopefully force enough water into the drain pipe to break the clog up.

Professional Techniques

A plumber can offer techniques that involve tools you do not own.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is a technique that forces water through the pipe at a very high pressure, and will hopefully cut through the clog to loosen it. Hydro jetting is not just for the typical toilet clog, since it can be used to reach deep into your plumbing to even cut through tree roots. You'll need a professional plumber to use this technique on your plumbing, since even if you were able to rent the equipment, operating it does require some skill to use it correctly.

Sewer Snaking

For tough clogs, your plumber can use a sewer snake to cut right through them. This device is a flexible rod with a spinning blade at the end, which is powerful enough to also cut through tree roots. A professional sewer snake is going to be quite different than the handheld variation you can buy at your local home improvement stores. These powered snakes have the ability to spin very fast and destroy those tough clogs. Contact a service, like All County Rooter LLC, for more help.