As a homeowner, nothing is more frustrating than experiencing a clogged drain or blocked toilet. The disruption to your routine alone is enough to make any owner frustrated. But when it’s combined with overflowing sinks, water damage, foul odors and more, clogged drains are more than a mere nuisance, they are a plumbing disaster.
When it comes to resolving these issues, nothing works better than hydro jetting or snaking. Both methods have their benefits and advantages, and both are recommended over using chemical drain cleaners. Harsh chemical drain cleaners seem like they’re doing a good job, but in reality, they weaken the pipes and cause premature ruptures and wear.
Let’s take a look at the individual merits and benefits of both hydro jetting and drain snaking:
How Hydro Jetting Works
Many homeowners prefer hydro jetting because of its efficiency and speed. Using a high-pressure water jet, technicians can blast through clogs safely and more efficiently. This method is ideal for stubborn blockages or recurring issues since hydro jetting also works to smooth the inner pipe wall, which helps prevent future clogs from forming.
Is There a DIY Option?
Hydro jetting should always be performed by a trained professional. To an untrained individual, this service can be dangerous and risky. Some of the risks involved with trying DIY hydro jetting include:
- Getting overwhelmed by the power of the water jet and making mistakes on the service.
- Accidentally damaging pipes that are already weak or worn out. When a professional performs this service, they will inspect the pipes beforehand to ensure they are healthy enough to handle the high-pressure water jets.
Snaking is Better for Simple Clogs
For simple clogs or random blockages, we usually recommend snaking. This service is more efficient at handling clogs that are not entirely hardened and do not require intense pressure to be removed.
How Does it Work?
Snaking involves inserting a cable into the drain to remove the blockage carefully. The service consists of the following steps:
- A cable with rotating blades mounted on end is inserted into the drain.
- When the technician feels resistance against the cable, they know they have reached the clog.
- At this point, the technician turns a handheld crank that rotates the blades and chews up the clog.
- The clog is either broken into small enough pieces to pass safely through the system another alternative the clog is pulled out when the cable is removed.
At Magic Plumbing, we can help you choose the best service for your unique situation. The next time you experience a clogged drain in San Francisco, CA, call (415) 441-2255 for fast and effective help.
