Should I Call a Professional for My Clogged Pipes?

Imagine a scenario where your newly potty trained son puts a little too much paper in the toilet, or your teenage daughter has been forgetting to clean her hair from the shower drain. 

Sound like a familiar scene? Well, we’ve all been there. But when your pipes start to clog up, and water starts backing up into the toilet or tub, what should you do?

Clogged pipes and drains are one of the most frequent plumbing issues that most homeowners experience. Whether you or your spouse handles the dirty work, there is often a way to address these plumbing issues without calling an emergency repair expert. 

Though many situations can be remedied with a simple, do-it-yourself (DIY) solution like a plunger or drain stick, some other problems are a bit more complicated, requiring homeowners to call in a professional plumber. 

But how do you know if your problem requires professional help or if you can handle it yourself?

Clogged Pipes: When Should I Call a Professional?

Regular maintenance and examination should be part of your monthly schedule. Having a professional inspect your pipes for any leaks, breaks, or concerns that may cause an issue in the future can also help prevent bigger issues from developing.

Here are 3 signs that your clogged pipes require more than just a few moments with a plunger:

1. You Are Experiencing Recurring Clogs

Repeated clogs are usually a sign of something a bit more complex than a temporary obstruction. Using a snake will only provide a short-term solution as the hole will start to quickly close up again as sludge continues to accumulate deep in the pipe. 

Commercial drain cleaners can also introduce harmful chemicals that can ruin the pipes and start to affect your health. A professional plumber can help offer a more permanent and safe solution with professional drain cleaning services.

2. Your Drains Are Running Slow, Even Though You Can’t Identify a Clog

If you have tried looking for a clog and come up empty, but your drains appear to still be running slowly, then you may have a much more complicated issue that requires the expertise of a professional plumber. 

Rather than trying to fix the problem by yourself without success or resulting in a dangerous DIY plumbing hack, contact a professional plumber to diagnose and fix the issue. If the issue is due to an air vent problem, then the repair will require the work of a professional.

3. Unclogging Your Pipes Requires Professional-Grade Equipment

Some stubborn clogs will not respond to simple remedies like the common snake or plunger that you can find at a local home improvement store. Some homeowners may be tempted to spend hundreds of dollars on drain cleaning equipment in an attempt to clear up tough clogs.

However, this is by no means professional equipment and may not solve your problem. If you find that you are not able to unclog your pipes yourself, it is more timely and cost-effective to call in a professional. 

There is a good chance that you will actually save money in the long run by finding an effective solution the first time around and making sure that there are not any bigger issues with your plumbing. Some more extensive repairs that will require an expert can include:

• A mysterious clog in your drain that keeps returning
• Any project that you do not feel comfortable completing or that recommends harsh chemicals to fix
• Construction that needs building permits
• New pipes, sinks, or tubs being installed
• Septic tank issues
• Sewer line breaks, clogs, or leaks
• Water heater concerns

Advice to Prevent Plumbing Issues

Although some plumbing problems requiring repair work are unavoidable, a lot of times, the incident could have been avoided with some simple tips. The steps below can help significantly reduce the risk of plumbing issues.

1. Do not pour grease down any of your drains. Fats can stick to the drains and cause problems for your plumbing. Dispose of grease into a trash can.
2. Be hesitant about flushable items. Just because something claims to be flushable does not mean that your toilet can handle it, especially if you run on a septic system. Your best option is to stick to toilet paper.
3. Your garbage disposal is not meant to take all of your food. Throw away most of your leftover food into the garbage can, and then clean off the crumbs with the garbage disposal on. You may be surprised how many clogs are caused by overfilling garbage disposal.
4. Use drain screens to protect your drains. Hair, food, and other particles can clog your drains, which is why drain screens come in handy. They can also catch something that accidentally falls into the drain, such as a ring.
5. Regularly examine your pipes and drains to ensure there aren’t any leaks or clogs that haven’t shown up yet. Replace and clean parts as needed. 

What If I’m Not Sure If I Need a Professional?

Not sure if your problems require a professional plumber? We are happy to help you figure it out. Our team of $25 Plumbing, Heating & Air experts can identify what your issue is and provide feedback on how to prevent clogs in the future and how to treat your current concern. 

Give us a call today at (909) 980-4109 or fill out our online contact form to get in touch.