Clogged drains can be a major nuisance for homeowners. While there are many ways to address minor clogs and foul odors, it is best to have professional drain cleaning services performed regularly to protect the integrity of your plumbing system. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth for professional help.
Preventative maintenance can help reduce the need for a drain cleaning service, including not putting FOG (fats, oils, and grease) down the drain and disposing of food waste in the garbage instead of the toilet.
Drains and sewer lines may seem like an afterthought when it comes to home maintenance, but they actually play a major role in home health and safety. That’s why it’s so important to keep them in good working order. Preventive measures like being mindful of what goes down the drain and implementing preventative maintenance can significantly extend the time between professional drain cleanings.
Some drain clogs can be easily resolved using simple household items, such as a plunger or a hand auger. However, more serious clogs, such as those caused by tree roots, can require specialized equipment and professional tools.
In such cases, you should always call a licensed and insured plumber to safely and effectively address the problem. A professional plumber will use the right tools and equipment to remove even the most stubborn clogs without damaging your pipes or property.
To identify the source of a drain clog, first locate your sewer line cleanout. This is typically a 4-inch-diameter pipe with a screw cap that has a square knob or indentation on the top. If you find sewage in or backing up from your cleanout, you have a main sewer line clog.
Other signs of a sewer line clog include foul odors coming from your drains and toilets, as well as water coming back up into your showers, bathtubs or washing machines. Fortunately, you can avoid these costly and unpleasant problems by identifying the signs of a clogged drain early on.
If you see a recurring clogged drain, try removing any hair that is stuck in the drain by pouring a kettle of boiling hot water down the drain. You can also try using a drain snake to break up any clogs that remain in the pipe and get rid of them completely.
Using Chemical Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners work by creating a reaction that either burns or dissolves the items in your pipes that are causing the clog. They are available as powders or liquids and can be bought at most home improvement stores. These cleaners are highly caustic and therefore dangerous to use; they can burn your skin and irritate your eyes and nose. They also create a lot of heat, which can damage your pipes over time.
Chemicals in these cleaners can also be harmful to the environment. If they are washed into waterways, they can contaminate the environment and hurt animals and plants. In addition, if they are washed down the drain, they can corrode metal pipes and cause leaks.
The primary ingredient in most chemical drain cleaners is sodium hydroxide, better known as lye. This corrosive alkali can decompose organic materials such as hair and grease, but it is extremely dangerous to use. It reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas and causes severe chemical burns on the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Chemical drain cleaners also wreak havoc on your plumbing pipes, especially if used multiple times in a short period of time.
While chemical cleaners may clear a temporary clog, they are usually not a good long-term solution. They can corrode pipes and create holes in them, which will eventually need to be replaced. They can also kill the bacteria in your pipes that help break down waste and prevent clogs. This can lead to recurrent clogs and require more frequent use of chemical drain cleaners. You can try to avoid these issues by using less caustic and acidic chemical cleaners, or you can use natural DIY methods such as baking soda and vinegar.
Using Enzymatic Cleaners
As we wash dishes in the kitchen sink, flush toilets and shower, and clean ourselves, our drain plumbing system picks up food particles, skin cells, hair, grease and more. Over time, this organic build-up can stick to the inside of our pipes, leading to slow drains, stinky odors and even complete clogs. Enzyme drain cleaners use natural enzymes and bacteria to break down these organic materials and eliminate the resulting clog.
These eco-friendly products are much less harsh than chemical drain cleaners, and they’re also safer for your pipes. However, they do take more time to work than chemical cleaners – they need to sit and ‘eat’ the organic material before they can dislodge the clog completely. Using them on a regular basis as part of your drain cleaning routine can help prevent these slow drainage issues and bad odors from occurring in the first place.
Another drawback to this type of drain cleaner is that it will not remove a clog created by something metal or plastic. If you have a large amount of these types of materials stuck in your drain pipe, it’s best to call a professional for a physical drain cleaning instead.
Once you’ve decided to try an enzymatic drain cleaner, follow the specific product’s instructions for how to mix and pour it. Once it’s been poured down the drain, don’t use any water for a few hours so that the enzymes can digest the organic matter and eat their way through your clog. After the recommended period has passed, flush the drain with warm water to wash away any loosened debris and restore proper flow.
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Using baking soda and vinegar to clean the drain can be an effective alternative to chemical cleaners for minor clogs. This maintenance method is also environmentally friendly and safe to use around children and pets. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can dissolve mineral deposits and organic materials like grease that cause clogs and odors. It also has mild disinfectant properties to combat bacterial and fungal growth that can lead to clogs.
Before beginning the cleaning process, remove any hair or food debris from the drain cover and strainer. You should also remove the drain plug or stopper if you have one to allow for a complete drain cleaning. Pour a pot of scalding hot water down the drain to help loosen any gunk before applying the baking soda mixture. After pouring the baking soda, add one cup of white vinegar to create a chemical reaction and dissolve any remaining clogs. Allow the solution to sit and work for up to an hour before flushing with hot water.
Repeat as needed to break up and dislodge clogs. For more stubborn clogs, try adding a tablespoon of cream of tartar to the solution as it has an abrasive quality that can help chip away and remove hardened clogs. Another effective natural clog buster is using a combination of coffee grounds and boiling water to scrub the drain.
If the above solutions don’t completely clear the clog, it may be time to call a professional. An experienced plumber will have the specialized tools necessary to assess and treat severe blockages. They can also provide advice on how to prevent future clogs. If you’re struggling with a blocked drain, find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location and book a service online today.
Calling a Professional
Keeping your drains clean is important for the health of your home. If you notice a foul smell, slow draining or water backing up in your home, it is time to call for professional help. These warning signs can indicate that there is a serious problem with your drains or sewer line.
If you have tried plunging your drains, using a baking soda and vinegar mix or boiling water, and are still experiencing a backup of sewage in your home, it is time to call a plumber for a professional drain cleaning service. These services will use equipment that can remove blockages from deep within your pipes. The plumber will also perform a video pipe inspection to make sure the work was done properly and that there are no leaks.
A clogged toilet is not only a messy problem, but it can also cause significant damage to your home and may pose health concerns for you and your family. If you have noticed a toilet that is overflowing or are seeing air bubbles around your home, it is time to call for a professional drain cleaning service. These professionals will be able to identify the issue and provide you with solutions to avoid future problems.
It’s easy to forget about your drains until they become fully clogged or stop working completely. Regular drain cleaning can help prevent these issues and ensure that your drains are working properly.