Do your residential drains often get clogged? Stopped-up drains are a headache for any homeowner. It is even more frustrating when the cleaning methods you employ achieve too little to conclusively clear the drains. The truth is that keeping an eye on your drain operations and undertaking preventative maintenance can save you a lot of money and spare you the nasty surprises arising from plumbing emergencies. Continue reading to find out some of the common drain-clearing mistakes to avoid.

Don't Poke into Your Drains with Just Anything

All drains are bound to develop clogs at some point over the course of the normal operation of the plumbing system. Unfortunately, there is nothing to do to avoid this completely. Naturally, it's tempting to try and clear your blocked drains by poking inside them several times. While there is nothing absolutely wrong with this drain-clearing technique, it's important to ensure you are using the right tools and doing the right thing.

Sticking a handy tool, such as a straightened-out wire hanger with a small hook on one end, down a clogged drain can help to dislodge the clog or pull up some of the debris. But this doesn't mean that you should insert just anything into your blocked drains. Desist from inserting things that may break inside your drains or make the clog more compact and even harder to dislodge. 

Avoid Uninformed Use of Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners may be a quick way to get your clogged drains working properly again, but their improper use can translate to plumbing catastrophes. It's important to note that not all over-the-counter chemical cleaners are safe for use. In fact, some chemical drain cleaners may end up causing more harm than good.

The amount of chemical product used really matters, as well. Excessive use of the chemicals can quickly eat away at your drains, leading to expensive replacements. It is, therefore, best to seek professional advice on which chemical cleaner to use to achieve the best results.

Don't Dismantle Your Drain Pipes to Dislodge a Clog

If you have little to no experience in disassembling your drain pipes and the associated connections, it's best to avoid taking the pipes apart in order to clear your drains. While you might easily disassemble the pipes and remove the clog, getting everything back together may prove to be a difficult job that may require you to seek the help of a professional plumber. Aside from making the project unnecessarily expensive, you may end up allowing harmful sewer gases into your home, leading to health risks.

While a DIY drain-clearing job is a cost-saving project, it could easily lead to more issues with your plumbing system. If you are unsure about the best ways to repair your clogged drains, have a professional plumber examine the pipes and perform the necessary repairs.