Plumbing drains and drainpipes in a home usually never need replacement. However, these features sometimes develop substantial clogs in P-joints beneath drains. If the household residents cannot resolve the problem, they can hire a plumber who provides residential drain cleaning services.

Initial Attempts

Tackling the issue as a do-it-yourself task first is reasonable. If the blockage has just slowed water drainage to a small extent, it might be resolved with a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, vinegar, and water poured down the pipe. The water should be hot but not boiling since that could damage plastic pipes.

Bleach also might fix the problem, although bleach and vinegar should never be in the pipe at the same time. The combination releases toxic chlorine gas. Drain plungers can be effective. These look like toilet plungers with a short handle. 

Problems With Commercial Drain Cleaning Products

Plumbers advise against using harsh commercial products. The products usually only partially dissolve clogs, so they must be used again and again. The corrosive substances can damage pipes when used repeatedly. A hair clog that is only partially dissolved traps some of the liquid, which now gradually corrodes metal pipes. These products also send harmful fumes into the home's air. Unless the room has sufficient ventilation from at least one large window, those fumes will not disperse quickly.

If the chemicals spill on the countertop, they might ruin the material. The chemicals can wreck towels used to wipe up spills. This is to be expected since the ingredients are supposed to dissolve lint and hair. If the liquid gets onto skin, chemical burns might develop. The person may need prompt medical attention. People try to be careful with these caustic products, but the liquid could splash up later when water runs. Using a sink plunger after pouring the substance in can lead to a very hazardous situation.

Professional Service

Plumbers may begin by running a mechanical or electronic snake device down through the pipe. If that doesn't clear up the problem, specialized plumbing tools are used to disassemble the P-joint. The blockage now is manually removed.

Customers often are startled at how big these clogs can be and how disgusting they smell. A kitchen clog might contain food particles, grease, dirt, soap scum, lint, and hair. A bathroom sink clog might include all of those except for the grease and food.

Anyone dealing with a slow-draining pipe should reach out to a drain cleaning service for assistance.