Blocked Drains: DIY vs Professional Help

Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. When water starts draining slowly or backing up entirely, the question becomes: can I fix this myself, or do I need to call a professional drainlayer?

The answer depends on several factors including the location of the blockage, its cause, and the tools you have available. This guide helps you make informed decisions about when DIY is appropriate and when professional help will save you time, money, and frustration.

When DIY Might Work

Some blocked drains are suitable for DIY attempts, particularly if you catch them early and they're in accessible locations.

Simple Bathroom Sink Blockages

The problem: Bathroom sinks commonly block with hair, soap scum, and toothpaste buildup in the trap (the curved pipe under the sink).

DIY solution:

1. Place a bucket under the trap
2. Unscrew the trap (usually hand-tightened or requiring basic tools)
3. Clean out accumulated debris
4. Replace the trap ensuring washers are properly seated

Success indicators: If clearing the trap solves the problem and water drains freely, DIY worked. If the problem persists, the blockage is deeper in the system.

Shower Drain Hair Clogs

The problem: Hair accumulates in shower drain traps, creating blockages.

DIY solution:

• Remove the drain cover
• Use a plastic drain snake or zip-it tool to pull hair from the trap
• Flush with hot water

These simple tools are inexpensive and effective for surface-level hair clogs.

Kitchen Sink Grease Buildup (Minor)

The problem: Grease accumulation slowing kitchen sink drainage.

DIY solution:

• Pour boiling water down the drain
• Follow with dishwashing liquid
• Flush again with hot water

This works for minor grease buildup but won't solve significant blockages.

Outdoor Gully Trap Debris

The problem: Leaves, dirt, or visible debris blocking an accessible gully trap.

DIY solution:

• Remove the gully trap cover
• Clear visible debris by hand (wear gloves)
• Flush with water

If you can see and reach the blockage, clearing it yourself is reasonable.

When to Call a Professional Immediately

Many blocked drain situations require professional equipment, expertise, and licensing. Attempting DIY in these cases often makes problems worse and costs more in the long run.

Multiple Fixtures Draining Slowly

The problem: Several drains in your home are slow or blocked simultaneously.

Why you need a professional: This indicates a main drain blockage affecting your entire system. Main drain clogs require:

• Professional jetting equipment
• Camera inspection to identify the exact blockage location
• Expertise to clear without damaging pipes
• Assessment of underlying causes (tree roots, pipe collapse, etc.)

DIY attempts on main drains rarely succeed and can damage your drainage system.

Sewage Backup or Overflow

The problem: Sewage backing up through drains or overflowing from gully traps.

Why you need a professional:

• Health hazard requiring proper safety equipment
• Usually indicates serious main drain problems
• Requires professional-grade clearing equipment
• May need pipe repair or replacement
• Needs proper cleanup and sanitization

Call immediately - sewage exposure poses health risks.

Recurring Blockages

The problem: The same drain blocks repeatedly despite clearing.

Why you need a professional: Recurring blockages indicate underlying problems:

• Tree roots infiltrating pipes
• Pipe offsets or belly sections trapping debris
• Damaged or corroded pipes
• Inadequate pipe slope

A professional can camera-inspect to identify the root cause and implement permanent solutions.

Toilet Blockages (Beyond Simple Plunging)

When DIY might work: A plunger can clear simple toilet blockages caused by excessive toilet paper.

When to call a professional:

• Plunging doesn't work after several attempts
• Water level in toilet bowl is rising
• Multiple toilets are blocked
• You suspect a foreign object is stuck

Forcing the issue can damage toilet seals or push blockages deeper into pipes.

Underground Drain Blockages

The problem: Blockages in underground drainage pipes.

Why you need a professional:

• Requires specialized jetting or rodding equipment
• Camera inspection needed to locate blockage
• May need excavation if pipes are collapsed
• Requires knowledge of pipe locations and depths

DIY Methods That Often Cause Problems

Some popular DIY drain clearing methods can damage your drainage system:

Chemical Drain Cleaners

The problem with chemicals:

• Can damage pipes, especially older pipes or PVC
• Create hazardous conditions if mixed with other chemicals
• Rarely work on serious blockages
• Dangerous if they splash or create fumes
• Harmful to septic systems

Professional drainlayers avoid chemical cleaners for good reason - they create more problems than they solve.

Excessive Force with Plungers or Snakes

The problem: Using too much force can:

• Damage toilet seals
• Crack ceramic fixtures
• Puncture pipes with improvised tools
• Push blockages deeper into the system

High-Pressure Water Hoses

Why to avoid: Using a garden hose or pressure washer on drains can:

• Force water past blockages, flooding your home
• Damage older pipes with excessive pressure
• Create bigger problems than the original blockage

Professional water jetting uses calibrated pressure and proper techniques to avoid damage.

The Professional Advantage

What makes professional drain clearing different from DIY?

Proper Diagnosis

Professionals use camera inspection to:

• Pinpoint exact blockage location
• Identify the cause (roots, grease, collapsed pipes, etc.)
• Assess pipe condition
• Recommend appropriate solutions

Specialized Equipment

Professional drainlayers have equipment unavailable to homeowners:

• High-pressure water jetters calibrated for different pipes
• Professional-grade drain cameras
• Specialized cutting heads for root removal
• Locating equipment to find underground pipes

Expertise and Experience

Licensed drainlayers bring:

• Knowledge of how different blockage types behave
• Understanding of pipe materials and their vulnerabilities
• Experience with local soil conditions and common issues
• Ability to identify and prevent future problems

Guaranteed Results

Professional work comes with guarantees. If the blockage returns quickly, reputable drainlayers stand behind their work.

The True Cost of DIY vs Professional

While DIY seems cheaper initially, consider:

DIY Costs:

• Your time (often hours for trial and error)
• Tools and products purchased
• Potential damage from incorrect methods
• Risk of making blockages worse
• Eventual professional callout after DIY fails

Professional Costs:

• Single callout fee
• Guaranteed resolution
• Diagnosis included
• Prevention advice
• No risk of DIY damage

For main drain blockages, professional service is often less expensive than failed DIY attempts plus eventual professional help.

Making the Right Decision

Use this decision framework:

Try DIY if:

• Only one fixture is affected
• The blockage is recent and minor
• The problem is in an accessible trap
• You can clearly see the cause
• Simple methods (plunging, cleaning traps) haven't been tried

Call a professional if:

• Multiple drains are affected
• DIY attempts haven't worked
• Blockage recurs frequently
• You smell sewage
• There's overflow or backup
• The blockage is underground
• You're unsure of the cause

Prevention: Better Than Both DIY and Professional Clearing

The best blocked drain is one that never happens. Prevention strategies:

• Kitchen: Never pour fats, oils, or grease down drains. Scrape plates before washing.
• Bathroom: Use drain catchers in showers and sinks. Clean them regularly.
• Toilets: Only flush toilet paper. Nothing else should go down toilets.
• Outside: Keep gully traps clear of leaves and debris.
• Trees: Be cautious about planting trees near drainage lines.
• Maintenance: Professional drain cleaning every 2-3 years prevents buildup.

When in Doubt, Ask

At Impact Drainage, we're happy to provide phone advice about whether your situation warrants a professional callout. We'd rather give you honest guidance than sell you unnecessary service.

Sometimes we'll tell you to try a simple DIY fix first. Other times we'll recommend immediate professional intervention to prevent damage or health hazards.

That honesty and reliability is what makes us different from other drainlayers in Northland - we're here to solve your problems properly, not just sell services you don't need.