Keep Chemicals Away From Your Drains

 

The first instinct when the drains are clogged and blocked can be to run to the store and grab a chemical drain cleaner. Though these items are an acceptable last resort, they can harm your health and plumbing system.

First try either a natural drain cleaner or, if this doesn’t work, a plumbing snake to prevent any hazards associated with chemical drain cleaners.

Here are some reasons why you should avoid chemical drain cleaners, as well as some healthy ways to clean your drains:

While a chemical product might be intended to clean your pipes, that doesn’t mean it’s good for them. Also harmful to the environment are products that contain chemicals and bleach. Indeed, chemical cleaners of drains can cause damage to your pipes. The chemicals will warp softer pipes (such as plastic) and be able to eat away at metal pipes if they pool and rest against a full clog.

Chemical drain cleaners do have the ability to react adversely with the aluminum in the pipes and to release toxic gasses. These gases can be harmful to humans and pipes, causing irritation of the skin and of the eyes and throats. Another danger associated with cleaners for chemical drains is that they will actually solidify in your pipes. The cleaner could pool against a complete clog and eat away on your pipes as well as solidify against the metal, as stated above.

Lastly, chemical drain cleaners can produce an explosive reaction when combined with other cleaners, which causes the liquid to burst out of the pipes.

Use Natural Products

Natural products can probably be found right in your home when it comes to cleaning your drains!  You only need grease-fighting dish soap, baking soda and white vinegar.

Perform some weekly maintenance to keep your drains clean and clear by running hot (almost boiling) water down the drain to remove any clogs.

If you’re battling a clogged drain, perform the flush of hot water followed by some grease-fighting dish soap. Finish by baking soda and white vinegar in equal parts down the drain, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Finish off with another rinse of hot water.

Use Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake is effective in removing the blockage when you are dealing with a full clog.

A plumbing snake is a long, flexible wire for the dislodging of clogs that works by moving the snake into the drain until the blockage is reached. Then the snake is turned into loops to either break up the blockage or hook on to pull out the clog.

You can buy a plumbing snake or rent one from your local hardware store. If there’s no plumbing snake available, you can always contact a professional to help clear your blocked pipes.

Prevent Clogged Drains

It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This holds true for your drains and taking measures to prevent clogs in the future will help to avoid unplugging them.

Continue with the flush of hot water once a week to remove any possible clogs.

Use the kitchen plug strainer to catch any leftover food particles before they wash down the drain and build up into your pipes.

Avoid the disposal of hair and other things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet in the bathroom. Use drain catchers to capture hair in the sink, and remember not to let too much toothpaste go down the drain.

If you have any more concerns regarding chemical cleaners, or if you need us to check your pipes and plumbing, call us at 778-397-4850.