Get matched with top drain cleaners in Alachua, FL

Your clothes—and your washing machine—will send you a few signals if you’re overdue for cleaning your washing machine filter. If you notice a buildup of detergent residue on your clothes, your clothes don’t dry quickly or at all, or you’re noticing lint in the machine, it’s time to clean the filter. 

Applying drain cleaner is a common DIY solution to clogged drains, but it can be extremely harmful to your pipes and lead to corrosion and leaks. It is almost always better to try snaking a clog than using a drain cleaner, but the best solution is to hire a professional plumber. They can locate the clog and gauge the severity using a camera system and then decide if using a plumber’s snake, auger, or drain cleaner is the best option to remove the clog and limit damage to your plumbing system.

Bleach—even diluted bleach—is not always the safest option for cleaning your drains. With a high pH, bleach can be highly corrosive to many types of pipes, especially when used regularly. When mixed with household cleaners and organic waste, it can also create dangerous chemicals. Remember to use proper protective equipment and ventilation when dealing with bleach.

Plumbers use a variety of tools to help unclog the toughest of drain clogs, but the most common tools they use are drain snakes and augers. They try a plunger or drain snake to start, then move to heavy-duty augers, and finally try using a hydro jetter to blast away the clog with high-pressure water. Hiring a plumber to unclog a drain costs $125 to $300, largely depending on the extent and location of the clog and which of these methods is best for clearing it.