What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Drain: Tips and Recommendation

There are more do’s and don’ts than you you may realize when it comes to drain cleaning, and this is because there is a lot that can go wrong if you don’t follow the correct procedures. A popular misconception is that you can simply pour a liquid cleaner/soap down your drain and this can clear up any obstructions in your plumbing. This is actually something that you should try avoiding. Here are some helpful tips and recommendations when it comes to drain cleanings:

We cannot overstate how important it is that you limit the amount of chemical cleaner that you pour down your drain. This is because the chemical material can end up eating away at your lead or copper pipes and you will end up needing to replace them. Installing a new drainage system can end up becoming very costly and you could easily avoid this expense through safe and protective cleaning procedures. An alternative to chemical cleaners would be to invest in a drain snake or auger to break up any clogs that lie deep in your drainage system.

We strongly recommend that you avoid putting anything down your drain that isn’t meant for that purpose. Many people will use a metal coat hanger to try and reach down into their drain system to remove a clog, and this could easily go wrong and make the situation even worse. You may end up pushing the clog deeper into your pipes, which will make it even more difficult to remove. A drain snake is a tool you would need to reach down into your drain, but if this isn’t working, then go ahead and hire a professional plumber to fix the issue.

One of the easiest ways to avoid any major draining issues is to not flush everything down the toilet. Some of the things that you want to avoid sending down your drain include hair, disposable wipes, and grease that you use for cooking. These are all solid objects that won’t dissolve in water and could create buildup in your drainage system.

Early detection is one of the most beneficial ways in which you can prevent a problem from getting worse. Inspecting your drain is often an afterthought, but you should have a professional routinely take a look at your drainage system to make sure everything is functioning properly. If you smell an unpleasant odor emanating from your drain and you neglect to do anything about it, then this could end up compromising your drainage system. A professional plumber can quickly diagnose the issue, whether it’s a clog, leak, or structural damage of some sort. We recommend that you have someone take a look at your drainage system at least once a year if not more.

We want to go into greater detail on the drawbacks of using chemical cleaners to unclog your drain and why you should not use them altogether. For many people, this is seen as a viable way to remove any clogs in their drainage system, but drain cleaners can do a lot more harm than good.

Many chemical cleaners produce unhealthy and caustic fumes that can irritate your skin and cause other health problems to occur. What often happens is someone will neglect to read the warning label and won’t follow the instructions. If your skin or eyes come in direct contact with the chemical cleaner then those could result in severe burns and you may need to go to the hospital.

If a corrosive chemical comes in contact with your drainage pipes, then you can expect it to cause some damage. Chemical cleaners are effective at removing grease and other buildups in your drainage system, but they will harm and weaken the metal or plastic material of your pipes and you will eventually need to replace them.

When you pour chemical cleaners down you drain, you are taking a huge risk. This is not always a guaranteed way to remove any clubs or obstructions in your drainage system, which means that you are causing a lot of unnecessary damage. There are several different ways in which a clog can form, and it’s not always a buildup of grease and other materials. For example, an overgrown tree root can interfere with your drainage system and cause a clog.

Chemical cleaners often contain acidic contents that can destroy the protective enamel coating in your sink or bathtub which prevents it from eroding. If this happens, then you may need to replace the fixture, which again can create a hefty financial burden for you and your family.

We recommend that you use vinegar and baking soda or hot water and dish soap before you resort to pouring a chemical cleaner down your drain. Vinegar and baking soda when combined form a cleaning agent that produces a fizz. We suggest that you pour these two ingredients down your drains and let it sit for the night before running hot water down your drain the next morning. As with hot water and dish soap, the process is very simple. Mix a couple of tablespoons of dish soap with hot water and slowly pour it down your drain.

The number one takeaway is that you should always avoid pouring chemical cleaners down your drain. they are doing more harm than good and this could end up biting you in the butt at some point down the line. There are plenty of alternatives to unclogging your drain: you can use a drain snake, you can use baking soda and vinegar, or you can hire a professional to inspect your drainage system.

Have any questions? Give us a call today! One of our team members and discuss all of your options when it comes to professional cleaning solutions.