Most homeowners have experienced the inconvenience and hassle of a drain clog at some point in their lives. Sometimes, a drain will unclog itself naturally; however, in many cases, it becomes necessary to take aggressive action against a clogged drain in order to avoid long-term problems. If you're dealing with drain problems at your home, however, here are some common mistakes you'll want to be careful to avoid.

Relying Too Heavily on Chemicals

First of all, while there are plenty of chemical drain cleaners on the market that will eliminate most clogs, it's important not to rely on these too heavily. After all, these cleaners contain extremely strong chemicals that can cause long-term and expensive damage to your pipes over time. If you choose to use a chemical drain cleaner, be sure to know what kind of pipes you have and read the label carefully to ensure it's safe to use the cleaner on that material.

Using a Garden Hose to Unclog Drains

A lot of times, homeowners will drag a garden hose into the home and use the pressure from the nozzle to clear out a clogged drain. First of all, this method requires an awful lot of work, and not all garden hoses will reach to the affected drain. Not to mention, the pressure from a hose nozzle isn't always enough to un-clog a drain and, if it is, this amount of pressure can actually be damaging to the insides of your home's pipes.

Excessive Use of Drain Snakes

Drain snakes are another device that should be used as minimally as possible. These devices can be very effective at removing clogs caused by hair buildup, particular in shower and tub drains. However, they can also scratch up and damage the interior of your home's piping, which is why they should be used as seldom as possible.

Not Knowing When to Call a Professional

Generally, if you can't clear out a drain in your home without resorting to one of the above methods, then it's probably in your best interest to contact a professional drain cleaning service. Not only will these professionals be able to confidently determine the source of the clog itself, but they'll be able to remedy the situation without causing further damage to your pipes or plumbing in the process. From there, you can enjoy clog-free drains without the unpleasant experience of clearing the clog out yourself.

For drain cleaning services, contact a company such as Roto-Rooter Sewer And Drain Cleaning Service.