Blocked drains can be a nightmare, but the last thing you want to do is make the situation even worse. While it can be tempting to attempt to sort the problem yourself, expert drainage solutions are a must. Below, we reveal some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to blocked drains.
One of the biggest causes of blockages is grease, oil and fat. While liquids like this may seem harmless, they congeal and harden, which results in huge damage to your drainage system. When this occurs, a lot of restaurant owners and homeowners attempt to fix the issue by putting bleach down the sink. This is not advised. In fact, it will only end up causing more damage, as the bleach can cause your drains to corrode, causing leakages in the end. Not only this, but bleach and caustic chemicals cannot get rid of solid objects such as food items. Call a professional drainage company to rectify the issue, and make sure they install a grease trap to prevent this issue from occurring again in the future. Another common mistake homeowners make is putting wires down the drain, such as a coat hanger, when they have a blockage. Again, you are risking a much bigger issue arising, as you are simply pushing more materials down the drain, which pushes the clog further down the pipe, where it is going to be much more difficult to reach.
Another misguided approach is to use water pressure to attempt to rectify the issue. A lot of people have tried to use a garden hose to clear the block, for example. There are two scenarios that are likely to happen if you go for this approach. The first is that you damage the pipes. The second is that the water erupts out of the drains and into your face. Of course, neither of these scenarios are a good outcome. By now, you have probably gathered that if you have blocked drains, this is an issue that is best left in the hand of professionals. Nevertheless, another mistake is not choosing a company with care. If you opt for an inexperienced firm, they may make the problem worse, as they may not have the skills or the tools to deal with the blockage effectively. It may seem like the problem is fixed initially, but in a few weeks time, the blockage may be back. You don’t want to risk having to pay for the service twice, which is why it is important to select a reputable and highly regarded firm to begin with.
From putting coat hangers down the drain to using caustic chemical products, hopefully, you now have a better idea of what not to do when you have blocked drains. The best thing to do is get in touch with the experts straightaway. You may be worried about the expense, but it will only get more expensive if you allow the problem to get worse.