Should You Rent a Sewer-Cleaning Machine or Call a Plumber?
If your toilets aren't flushing properly, your sinks or bathtubs are backing up, or you're dealing with a mysterious marshy spot in the yard, you may be dealing with a major clog in one of your sewage lines. However, in some cases, you may be able to solve this problem yourself with the help of some rented tools rather than a plumber's assistance. Read on to learn more about the functions of the sewer-cleaning machines available for rental as well as some situations in which calling a plumber may be the best option.
What types of sewer-cleaning machines are available for rental?
Many hardware and lawn and garden stores have rental centers where homeowners can pay a small fee to use a power washer, weed-eater, or other piece of equipment for the day or weekend. Some stores include sewer-cleaning equipment in this selection. The options range from powerful pumps to hoses or scrubbers designed to force any clogs from your pipes into the sewer. Heavy-equipment rental companies have a wider array of options that sometimes include equipment identical in size and function to the equipment used by plumbers.
If you're fairly certain you have a clog and using commercial drain cleaners hasn't had much of an effect, you may want to rent a power-drain cleaner. This portable machine has a lengthy hose that can be inserted into any of your home's pipes to clean out debris and remove clogs. Some of these cleaners even include wireless cameras so that you can watch your progress from your tablet or smartphone, helping you more quickly identify the problem areas most in need of cleaning.
When should you contact a plumber to deal with your sewer issue?
If you're fairly sure you're dealing with a leak as well as a clog—for example, if you can smell raw sewage in your yard or can actually see a puddle—then you'll need professional assistance. While homeowners are often capable of clearing out minor or even moderate clogs using rental equipment, a breach in one or more sewage pipes will require excavation and replacement of the broken pipe, a process that can be both unpleasant and difficult. Having a plumber or plumbing contractor perform this replacement will help you ensure that the job is done correctly and you won't be dealing with subsequent leaks.
You'll also want to call a plumber if your pipe-cleaning efforts haven't been successful. You may be dealing with a tree root or other outside blockage that will require removal.
For more information about sewer cleaning, visit a site such as http://www.landolakesplumbing.com/.