Clogs and Leaks: When to DIY and When to Call For Help - October Monthly Newsletter

October 30, 2020

Clogged sinks, toilets and slow leaks...

When it comes to taking on projects around the house, there are certain things that the average homeowner DIYs all the time. It would be silly to call an electrician to replace a light bulb or a cabinet maker to swap out your kitchen knobs. And then there are the jobs that are clearly left for the professionals. Most people wouldn’t dream of trying to repair their foundation or run new gas lines. 

And then there’s the gray area, where many plumbing problems seem to fall. That dripping faucet. The sink that takes forever to drain. Should you tackle these yourself or call in a professional plumber? 

At Whitton Plumbing, we have homeowners asking us all the time if they should be trying to remedy clogged drains, leaking faucets, and other non-emergent plumbing issues. So we’re breaking it down to give you our take on which are fine to go ahead on your own, and which you should definitely let us take care of for you. 

Clogged Drains

A clogged drain can be deceptive because it seems like the solution is very clear: remove the thing that is clogging the drain. The problem with the solution is that getting to the source of the blockage usually isn’t very easily achieved without quite a bit of effort. 

For that reason, the answer to whether you should go DIY or with a professional for unclogging your drain is: it depends. Here are some options you can try on your own. If your own efforts are still not enough to get your drains flowing freely, call Whitton Plumbing for help.

DIYing an Unclogged Drain

If your drain is blocked or slow and you want to take a go at fixing it yourself, it is certainly a project that can be remedied, if you have the right tools. A plunger, drain auger, and natural drain cleaners can go a long way toward clearing your drains. 

A Word of Caution About Chemical Drain Cleaners

Store shelves are lined with big jugs of products claiming to be “professional” and “industrial” grade drain cleaning solutions. Before you add one to your cart, there are some things you should know about these chemical drain cleaners. 

Health hazard: Chemical drain cleaners contain harsh, poisonous chemicals that can create unhealthy fumes and cause irritation--and even burns--to your skin. Yikes!

Corrosive: The very chemicals that are strong enough to cut through the clog in your drain can also be corrosive to your pipes. In fact, regular use of chemical drain cleaners over time may require your pipes to be replaced. 

Hazardous to the environment: Rinsing harsh chemicals down the drain means also sending these same chemicals into water sources. And even the packaging itself, once disposed of, usually contains traces of the chemical that will make its way into the landfill. 

Ineffective: As encouraging as the promises on the bottle may be, these dangerous and highly corrosive chemicals don’t always do the job if the clog isn’t due to a reason that the chemical is able to treat, like a tree root, for example. 

Natural & Effective Drain Cleaners

Healthy alternatives to harsh chemical drain cleaners do exist, and we recommend you give them a try. 

Bio-Clean: removes food particles, grease, hair, soap scum, and more from your plumbing using a combination of enzymes and natural bacteria. It is safe for use around your family and will not cause harm to your plumbing system, septic tank, or the environment. 

Vinegar & Baking Soda: Sprinkling baking soda down your drain, followed up by vinegar, will cause it to fizz and bubble its way down your drain. Leave it to sit overnight and follow it up with a flush of warm water in the morning. This trick is also effective at removing odors in your drain.

Leaking Faucet

Repairing a leaking faucet can be done on your own if you have the tools, time, and a touch of tenacity to troubleshoot the problem and get down to the root of the problem. 

But first, let’s look at some of the leading causes of leaky faucets and how to resolve them: 

Scale buildup: Mineral deposits can interfere with the faucet’s ability to keep the water sealed in. A simple cleaning may have your faucet back in good working order. 

Corroded parts: Over time, the accumulation of water sediments can cause permanent damage and cause leaking. We recommend replacing your faucet when parts become corroded. 

Damaged O-ring: If you have leaking around the base of the spout, it is likely a worn o-ring, which you can replace--or you can call in the help of a professional plumber. 

While there is certainly a  whole host of other reasons that may be causing the drip, drip, drip that’s driving you nuts, these are some of the top causes. When it is time to replace your faucet, there are tutorials online that will walk you through the steps. Or you can always call your friendly neighborhood plumbers at Whitton Plumbing, and we will be happy to replace your faucet for you. 

Call Whitton Plumbing for Help

We understand that many homeowners like to DIY projects themselves, however, know that you don’t have to. Whitton Plumbing is here to help you tackle your slow drains, clogged drains, and even the most annoying dripping faucets. Give us a call today.