Clogged Sewer Pipes: DIY Plumbing Task or Leave it to the Pros?

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You can usually tell when you have clogged sewer pipes when your toilet or bathtub starts to bubble back up when you flush or drain the water. There may be other symptoms as well, including poor drainage and inefficient pipes. These clogs are caused by a very large obstruction that prevents water waste from being disposed of. This problem needs to be addressed right away as it could cause extensive damage to your plumbing if ignored. If you're thinking about taking care of the problem yourself without a professional plumber, here are some things to keep in mind.

Think Twice Before Using Drain Cleaner!

If you have PVC pipes in your home, you may want to think twice before you try to use drain cleaner. These cleaners are great at dissolving things clogging your pipes, although they can also attack the cement that's been used to weld your pipes together. You also can't use drain cleaner to get rid of a clogged sewer pipe.

Using a Plumbing Snake

Most clogged sewer pipes are actually cleared with tools like plumbing snakes, which you can rent at a hardware store yourself. Snakes can be fairly easy to use; just insert the cable into the pipe you think is blocked. When you feel like the cable is hitting the clog, you start to rotate the handle to force the cable through the block.

Clearing clogged sewer pipes is a dirty job and it may take you a few hours. You'll also face the expense of renting the necessary tools to clear the clog, including a plumbing snake. For most homeowners, it's easier and even more affordable to just call a professional plumber to clear the clog. Taking care of the problem as soon as possible can even reduce the expense of the repair! Contact Inland Empire Plumbing if you suspect you have a clogged sewer pipe to have your sewer drains inspected and fixed in no time.