Maintaining clean drains is crucial to a healthy home. Clogged gutters cause foul odors and can spread harmful bacteria. While many DIY solutions exist, a plumber can provide advanced tools for addressing serious issues.
Foul-smelling or clogged drains can be an indicator of larger plumbing problems. Using a drain cleaner can help break down food scraps, soap scum, hair and other debris. Contact Drain Cleaning Aurora, CO now!
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is one of the most popular do-it-yourself (DIY) home hacks for clogged drains. While this mix is effective for minor clogs, it’s not as good as other drain cleaning products.
Vinegar is acidic, and when it comes into contact with baking soda, it creates the bubbling reaction we all remember from our 6th grade science class volcano experiment. This chemical interaction is not only ineffective for cleaning drains, but it can also damage pipes. The acidity of the vinegar can corrode copper and brass, and the resulting carbon dioxide can build up pressure within pipes, causing them to crack and leak.
Baking soda, on the other hand, is a base and can dissolve organic materials. While it may not be strong enough to break up tough clogs, it is effective for loosening and dissolving grease and other oils. In addition, it can help to remove hair from a shower drain.
To use this natural drain cleaner:
- Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and then dump in about 1/2 cup of baking soda.
- Cover the drain with a cloth or stopper and let the fizzing mixture sit for about an hour.
- Pour a second batch of boiling water down the drain to flush the drain and clean away any remaining gunk.
Using this natural cleaner as a regular maintenance method can keep your drains clear of clogs and prevent them from slowing down. However, if you have a stubborn drain clog that the baking soda and vinegar solution doesn’t break up, it’s time to call a plumber.
While natural drain cleaners are preferred for their eco-friendliness and gentleness on pipes, sometimes a more powerful product is needed to break up tough clogs. If you are struggling with a difficult FOG or hair-based clog that isn’t responding to a pipe snake, try an enzyme drain cleaner like Earth Enzymes or Biokleen Drain Gel. Follow the product’s instructions closely to avoid damaging your plumbing system.
Dish soap
Dish soap is one of the mildest products available in supermarket household cleaning aisles, and it can be used on a variety of surfaces and fabrics. It is also an effective drain cleaner, though it is not recommended for clogs that are caused by hair (as these can only be cleared with an acid-based product).
To use dish soap as a drain cleaner, mix a tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of boiling water. Pour the solution down your clogged drain and wait about five to ten minutes before flushing the drain with hot water again. This can break up greasy clogs, which are commonly found in kitchen sinks.
While this is an effective home remedy, it may take several tries to clear a particularly stubborn clog. For this reason, it is important to run hot water down your sink and bathtub drains on a regular basis to prevent clogs from developing in the first place.
If this method does not work to clear your clogged drain, you can try using a store-bought product formulated specifically for drain cleaning. These typically contain alkali ingredients designed to dissolve grease and food residue, as well as chemicals that oxidize organic matter into gas and water. These types of products are most useful for removing food-based clogs in the kitchen, or clumps of hair in bathroom and shower drains.
If you are concerned about the chemicals and other contaminants in these products, there are a few natural alternatives that can be just as effective as chemical-based drain cleaners. Some of these products contain a combination of baking soda and vinegar, while others are entirely made from biodegradable, non-toxic materials. These include Planet Ultra, which uses a coconut oil base and limited ingredients to create a dishwashing liquid that is safe for the environment and family members, as well as the more expensive but equally effective Ecover Pink Geranium Liquid Dish Soap. Regardless of which type you choose, be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully and always test for skin irritation before using these products.
Chemical cleaners
Chemical cleaners are a type of cleaning product that uses chemicals to clean surfaces. They can be used to remove organic contaminants such as stains, viruses and bacteria. They can also be used to remove inorganic contaminants such as hard water deposits. This method is typically only used when physical cleaning cannot be performed. When using chemical cleaners, you must be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. It is recommended to use a neutral pH cleaning product for the best results. Chemicals that are too acidic or alkaline can damage surfaces.
Choosing the right cleaning product requires an understanding of the soil and surface to be cleaned. Some substances are water-insoluble and require an acidic solution to dissolve them, while others are organic and can be removed with an alkaline detergent cleaner. Combination soils are often the most difficult to clean, since they contain both organic and inorganic components.
When selecting a cleaning chemical, it is important to read the safety data sheets (SDSs). These documents provide information about health hazards associated with substances or mixtures. They are categorized according to their potential effect on human beings, the environment, and plants or animals. A list of potential effects includes acute and chronic exposure, skin irritation, eye irritation, respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and toxicity.
Chemical cleaners are available in a variety of forms, including powder and cream (or thick liquid). They may contain mild, moderate or highly corrosive chemicals. Some of the more common ingredients include surfactants, bleaches, phosphates, salts, solvents, pH-stabilizers, acids and bases. Depending on the product, these compounds can be toxic or carcinogenic.
It is important to note that many of these products are extremely hazardous and should be used only by trained professionals. In addition, they should be stored in a safe place where they can’t be reached by children and pets. It is also important to keep cleaning products away from other household cleaners, as they can react with each other and produce dangerous fumes.
Clogged Drains
No one wants to wake up standing ankle-deep in water in the shower or have their kitchen sink backed up with stinky, dirty waste. While clogged drains are not always preventable, you can take several measures to lower your risk and detect issues before they turn into a major problem that requires emergency plumbing services.
One of the most common signs of a developing clog is an unusual odor. As organic material like hair, food, and soap scum accumulate in the pipes, they will begin to decompose and emit a foul odor. This smell may be more noticeable in certain areas of your home or building, such as the bathroom and kitchen, where the clog is most likely located.
Another sign of a clogged drain is if you notice a sudden drop in your water pressure. As a result of restricted flow, your water bill will most likely increase, so it is important to monitor this issue closely and call in a professional immediately if you see a drastic change.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for wet spots and dampness around your home or business. These are usually a direct result of blocked drains or leaky pipes and can cause extensive damage in a short amount of time if not addressed right away.
If you are noticing a consistent wet spot or dampness in your home, it is a good idea to call in a professional plumber for an inspection. They can use specialized tools to pinpoint the source of the problem and recommend the best course of action to resolve it.
A clogged sewer line is a serious emergency plumbing issue that can lead to sewage backup and flood your home or business with toxic waste. Your home’s sewer line connects to the city sewer line under the street, and if this line is backed up, it can create an overflow of raw sewage into your toilets and sinks. If left unattended, this can spread diseases and make your home or business unsafe to live in. Experienced plumbing professionals can use specialized equipment to quickly diagnose and repair sewer line clogs and other problems.