When your drains are clogged, the most tempting way to deal with the problem is to use chemicals to clear out the blockage. But this approach often backfires because of the corrosive nature of the chemicals and how they can damage your drain. You might choose to use another method, but many drain cleaning strategies can backfire if not done properly.

How to Use a Plunger to Remove a Clog

Plunging is a common way to clear a drain. The plunger is meant to create suction that can then pull at the clog and dislodge it. However, you will need to use the right type of plunger. A sink plunger is designed differently from a toilet plunger. When plunging the sink, you must place it over the drain in a way that will seal it off completely. 

Push on the plunger slowly up and down. If you do this slowly, you'll be less likely to push the clogging material farther down. Unfortunately, if the clog is too far down in the drain, a plunger will not be able to remove it. Also, depending on the nature of the clog, it might be impossible to dislodge it with a plunger. If this is the case, you might need to use a hydro-jet to remove the clog.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting uses pure water to dislodge a clog with very high pressure. However, the pressure isn't strong enough to damage the pipes in most cases. Because it uses water, there are no corrosive chemicals that might damage your pipes, and the hydro jet will not have a detrimental effect on the sewer system. 

In addition to dislodging a clog, hydro jet machines will remove the sticky residue that forms inside clogs and eventually create a clog. This process will remove substances that can contribute to nasty odors in your home. If you schedule to have a plumber use a hydro jet machine on your pipes once a year, you may be able to completely eliminate clogs from your life.

The hydro jetting process is more likely to remove a clog than any other method. With an auger, you may remove part of the clog, but there might be more accumulated material farther down in the drain. In a few months, you might discover that your drain is clogged once again. But with a trained professional, your drain can be fully cleared out immediately.