Do you think that your drain is blocked? There are some tell-tale signs that are going to indicate if this is the case. Namely, you are going to notice the water draining away slower than usual and there might be a gurgling or new noise coming from the drain. In addition, it is common for a bad odour to develop because the drain is blocked.
If this is a problem you are suffering from in your household, you will want it resolved as soon as possible. After all, it can make everyday chores difficult. Over time, the blocked drain is likely to become worse. You really need to do something about it and quickly.
But, one thing that a lot of homeowners hesitate to do is call in a professional drainage company. Instead, they attempt to clear a blockage themselves. One common technique that people try is creating their own DIY drain unblocking rod. Is this a good idea? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Drain Unblocking Rod?
When you have a blocked drain, you want to solve the problem as soon as possible. So, you may have had a look online and discovered drain unblocking rods. This is a tool that people are trying to use to solve the problem themselves and without calling a professional. This is a long device that looks like a stick and it is used to free a blockage. The idea is that you stick it down the drain and it might be able to clear what is in the way.
We are going to cut to the chase and say that the drain unblocking rods you can purchase in stores are not going to be the best way to clear a blocked drain. Instead, it is recommended that you contact a professional. They have specialist tools, such as high pressure water jetting equipment, that can effectively remove blockages. A professional team is also going to have the experience to know how to locate the blockage and make sure no damage is caused to the drainage system. Most experts offer same-day callouts for emergencies and their services are more affordable than you think.
What is the Problem with Drain Unblocking Rods?
Unblocking a drain is not always as easy as it sounds. Often, a blockage is more than just simple items stuck down the drain. It can be an accumulation of food, cooking fats and oil and they cling together. So, using a drain unblocking rod simply might not work. You can be wasting your time and money trying this method and this can be frustrating when the problem still exists.
One problem that can happen is that you make the blockage worse. While you are trying to free the items that are blocking the drain, you can actually end up compounding them together and creating a larger problem. So, this means that you are going to have an even worse blockage than you did before. Say that water was still draining away before. It might be the case that this no longer happens. Suddenly, you have a bigger and serious issue on your hands.
A lot of the drain unblocking rods you can purchase online are made from cheap materials. In other words, they are not built for longevity and they are nothing like the tools a professional will have. So, what can happen is that homeowners become hastier and tough with them and they can break. This means that part of the rod can also get stuck in the drain and the problem becomes worse.
Essentially, using a drain unblocking rod can be a false economy. While you might do it because you want to save money, you can end up making everything worse and having to call in the experts anyway. What’s more, because the blockage is worse, the professionals are going to have a lot more to do. So, this is going to make your bill at the end larger than it could have been. You have had to pay out for DIY drain unblocking rods, plus emergency help from experts.
Ultimately, there are no corners you can cut when you have a blocked drain. Instead, you need to call the professionals. Stay away from any DIY drain unblocking rods you see. While they might look like they are reliable and promise to fix your problem, they can cause more damage than you realise. The soon you call a professional, the quicker you can have your drainage problem resolved.