What Not to do When Removing Shower Drain Clogs

There is nothing quite as memorable as a badly clogged shower drain. Plunging, praying, cursing – you’ve tried it all. Nothing works and the situation is bound to become urgent sooner, rather than later.  Below we will discuss what not to do when removing shower drain clogs.

What Not to do When Removing Shower Drain Clogs

Depending on your household composition, your shower may see more use during the day than your fridge. You are, understandably, frustrated – willing to try anything even. We’ve seen homeowners do a lot of strange things over the years to unclog their shower drains. Unfortunately, some of these solutions aren’t just strange – they can also damage your lines.

Boiling Water

Pouring hot water down a drain to remove residue and help get things flowing again is a popular go-to home remedy. It can help clear up greasy build up in your kitchen sink. Unfortunately, it can also do serious damage to your plumbing.

PVC, which is a common material for indoor drains and plumbing, is only rated to 140 °F. Water has a boiling point of 212°F and can cause PVC pipes and joints to soften and warp. Although you may not notice damage right away, repeated exposure to high-temperature water will cause your pipes to leak around the seams.

Air Compressor

Forcing clogs out of your drain line can be done many different ways. Before resorting to blunt force, you should be aware that your pipes may not be fit for high-pressure application. Older and poorly maintained plumbing should always be remotely inspected using a video camera before pressure is applied. If your pipes or joints are in bad repair, using compressed air or high-pressure water jets can cause pipes to crack and joints to burst.

There are many useful, DIY methods of removing simple clogs. However, when these methods fail it is best to contact a licensed plumber. Clogs that don’t go away are more likely to involve objects – like cloth, tree roots and sediment. Not only won’t you be able to take care of them without specialized tools or opening up your system, you can do serious damage to your drain and sewer lines trying. East Texas Leak Detectors have been handling drain repair and replacement for decades. Contact us online or by phone at (903)581-2610 to schedule an appointment today.

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