If you’ve noticed your bath water is taking longer to drain, your sink is bubbling, or nasty odours are coming from the drains, you may be experiencing a clog. Your first instinct might be to grab a plunger or pour some store-bought cleaner down the drain. However, it’s best to leave drain unblocking to the professionals.

YOU COULD CREATE MORE DAMAGE

For homeowners dealing with clogged drains, a plumbing snake can be an appealing option. But while it can be tempting to rush out and buy one, not all plumbers recommend them. In fact, older homes with galvanized pipes are likely to experience more problems if a snake is used; according to some professional plumbers, these tools can actually cause cracks in the pipes, leading to water damage and leaks.

DANGEROUS CHEMICALS

Homeowners often try to solve clogged drains by purchasing powerful drain cleaners at the supermarket. However, these drain cleaners are full of chemicals that can erode the cement that holds drainage piping together and cause permanent damage to a person’s health. Supermarket drain cleaners provide temporary relief but do not clear clogs completely, and they can make home plumbing problems worse than before.

BACTERIA IN DRAINS CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS

Drains can pose health issues if you try to unblock them yourself because they are often home to bacteria such as E-Coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter Jejuni. You will need to wear protective clothing including goggles, gloves and face mask when attempting to clear a blockage yourself.

Even if you’ve successfully cleared a drain blockage before, given the risks involved it is optimum for your safety to leave it to the professionals.