Our lives are messy, and that means that our drains can take a pretty heavy load over time. We don’t realize how much our drains dispose of until they can’t anymore. When a stubborn drain clog builds in your drain, your entire day is halted. Even washing your hands or dishes becomes a chore!
Luckily, Clean Flo Sewer and Septic can help you get rid of even the toughest blockages. Our expert plumbers have years of experience with drain cleaning and solving severe drain clogs with our hydro-jetting services.
Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Dangerous
When your sink or tub drain forms a clog, your first instinct may be to stop by the store for a liquid drain cleaner. Liquid drain cleaners are designed with harsh chemicals that can cut through tough materials like grease and hair. While this makes them seem effective against clogs, they come with their own set of dangers.
Firstly, chemical drain cleaners will eat a hole through a clog, but they don’t usually clear the entire thing. Your water may flow smoother for a few days, but those materials will build up again on the leftover clog, putting you back where you started.
Secondly, the harsh nature of chemicals that is required to eat through grease can also wear away at your pipes. This can cause premature thinning of your pipelining and possibly lead to leaks.
How To Use Household Items To Clear Clogs
Baking Soda, Vinegar, Hot Water
With three common household items, your clog could be a thing of the past! Vinegar is designed to cut through grease with ease, and baking soda lifts organic materials with bubbles to let them clear away. Be sure to flush plenty of hot water through the drain as you administer the other products.
Vinegar Ice Cubes
Another great way to cut through grease — especially as a preventative drain maintenance habit — is to send vinegar ice cubes down the drain. Fill an ice tray with part vinegar and part water, and freeze them. Send the cubes down the drain while the disposal runs to let the cool temperature and vinegar work on clearing your drain out.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Also called caustic soda, this liquid can be dangerous if your skin comes into contact with it. Use caution when using this effective drain cleaning solution. Pour a mixture of cold water and hydrogen peroxide down the drain, and let the solution sit for 20 or 30 minutes. Flush the drain with more water and repeat as necessary.
Suction
Sometimes, a stubborn clog needs to be dislodged before it can move down the pipes. If you have a vacuum or shop vacuum, you’ll be able to try to suck part or all of the clog out. You can create a barrier by stretching a very thin material over the mouth of the vacuum — such as pantyhose. Then, turn on the vacuum and try to create a seal around the mouth so that the drain is exposed to suction.
When You Need Professional Help, Trust Us!
If none of these tried and true solutions are clearing your clog, our team of professionals is ready to assist you. Clean Flo Sewer and Septic uses special tools and tactics to make sure your drain is flowing smoothly as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment with our team, contact us today!
