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Drain Cleaning – How to Get Rid of Blocked Drains
A regular Drain Cleaning Perth service helps prevent more serious blockages down the line. This includes dissolving organic matter and preventing the build-up of hair, grease, residue, or mineral deposits.
Professional drain cleaners use different methods depending on the type of clog and condition of the pipes. Some techniques include snaking, hand-cranked or motor-operated plumbing snakes and hydro-jetting.
Baking soda and vinegar are a safe, inexpensive, natural drain cleaning solution. The chemical reaction that occurs between the two common household ingredients helps to dislodge and break down organic clogs. The reaction also produces carbon dioxide gas, which helps to clear blocked pipes. This simple and effective method can be used regularly to keep drains clean and free of debris. It is important to note that this method is not suitable for use on a septic system or older pipes made of copper or brass.
To use baking soda and vinegar, first pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Next, dump in about half a cup of baking soda. Wait a few minutes for the bubbling reaction to occur, then pour in one cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few more minutes, then flush the drain with another pot of boiling water. This step is essential to help remove any lingering baking soda residue that may be left behind in the pipes.
It is recommended to use distilled white vinegar for this purpose. Other types of vinegar can erode the lining of your pipes and cause corrosion. If you are concerned about the acidity of the vinegar, you can always dilute it with more boiling water.
The resulting volcanic reaction is very effective at breaking down and dislodging clogs. This is largely due to the fact that baking soda is an alkaline substance and vinegar is an acid. This creates a chemical reaction that eats away at the gunk that is clogging your drain, creating loosening bubbles that then dissolve the clog. Once the clog is broken up, you can easily flush it out with a final pot of hot water.
In addition to unclogging drains, baking soda and vinegar can also be used to remove odors from the kitchen. For this purpose, simply pour a small amount of the product down the drain and wait for it to fizz. This will eliminate any unwanted odors and leave your drains smelling fresh and clean.
Vinegar and baking soda are inexpensive, nontoxic, and easy to find at most grocery stores. Using this natural drain cleaner can help to extend the life of your plumbing system and reduce the need for professional drain cleaning services.
Biological Cleaners
Biological drain cleaners, also known as bacterial drain cleaners, contain a blend of bacteria and enzymes that eat away organic waste in your pipes. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, which can corrode your plumbing, bio drain cleaners are non-toxic and safe for home use.
The bacteria in a biological drain cleaner will digest food, hair, oil, soap scum, and other organic residue that builds up in your pipes over time. The enzymes in a biological drain cleaner will then break down these molecules into water, carbon dioxide, and mineral ash that can be flushed out of your pipes.
These natural drain cleaners work better than caustic chemical cleaners and are safer for the environment and your health. They can be used on a regular basis to prevent buildup in your pipes and drains.
When using a biological drain cleaner, you should pour the recommended amount down your drain and allow it to work for at least six to eight hours. After this, you can flush the drain with warm water to help wash away any remaining debris loosened by the biological cleaner.
Another benefit of a biological drain cleaner is that it can also help eliminate foul odors in your plumbing system. Foul odors are often caused by decomposing organic material in your plumbing pipes, and can be difficult to get rid of. Bacteria and enzymes in a biological drain cleaner will break down these materials and eliminate the foul odors.
A biological drain cleaner is a great choice for those with clogged drains in hard-to-reach places. While it won’t work as quickly as a mechanical drain snake, it will clear stubborn clogs and keep your drain lines clean and healthy.
Plumber’s Snake
When a drain clog is too stubborn for plunging or chemical drain cleaners, a plumber’s snake (also called a drain auger) can often dislodge it. This tool looks like a long, flexible metal cable that is spring uncoiled at one end with an auger head on the other end and a handle at its base. It can be fed into the drain through a cleanout access point or directly into the pipe. By cranking the handle or turning the head, the snake can be pushed into the drain and used to break up and latch onto the clog, removing it from the line.
When using a snake, prepare the area by covering any surfaces you don’t want to get dirty. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves during this procedure. While a drain snake is easy to use, it can be dangerous if not handled correctly. It can also damage your pipes and sewer lines, which can be costly to repair.
Kitchen sinks frequently develop clogs from cooking grease and bits of food that get trapped in the drainpipe. Before you start snaking, try plunging the drain first and then check to see if the clog is in the p-trap or the actual drain. If the latter is the case, you can remove the p-trap to make snaking easier.
Toilets can become clogged with baby wipes, sanitary products, paper towels and other common household items. Before you start snaking, you should try to flush the toilet first and then clean out the overflow tube. If your clog is in the actual drainpipe, you may need to remove the toilet.
To avoid future blockages, install drain screens in all of your sinks and tubs and regularly clean them. It’s also a good idea not to flush wet wipes or sanitary products down the toilet and to only put toilet paper in the waste container. If you do encounter a persistent clog, consider calling Boss Plumbing for professional drain cleaning rather than trying to tackle it yourself. Our professional plumbers will have the right tools and experience to resolve the issue quickly and effectively.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are readily available in most home improvement stores and can be used to remove severe clogs quickly. They are a combination of acids, caustics, or oxidizers that produce a chemical reaction to break down and dissolve materials in the drain pipe and remove clogs. They are easy to use and can be effective, but they also pose several dangers to your health, corrode pipes, and damage your environment. It is important to follow the instructions and safety precautions on the package when using these chemicals.
Acidic drain cleaners work by creating hydronium ions in a chemical reaction with the water and clog material, breaking down the clogs and washing them away. They can be harsh on pipes and are typically only recommended for very tough clogs or those made from metals.
Caustic drain cleaners, often containing sodium hydroxide (lye), generate heat through a saponification reaction, breaking down and dissolving the organic materials in the clog to transform them into water-soluble soaps. These are effective for hair, grease, and other oily materials.
Oxidizing drain cleaners contain compounds such as bleach, peroxides, or nitrates that release oxygen molecules to break down and dissolve materials in the clog while killing bacteria. They are effective for grease and other soft clogs that are easy to break down.
The chemical reactions generated by liquid drain cleaners create a lot of heat, which can melt or warp PVC pipes and cause serious damage to older metal ones. This can lead to leaks and flooding in your home, as well as potential injuries from burns to skin and eyes. They may also harm the environment by contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
When using chemical drain cleaners, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and never mix them with other types of drain cleaners. This can result in toxic gasses and an explosion. It is also important to keep them out of reach from children and pets, as they can be dangerous if ingested. Unused chemical cleaners should be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of properly to prevent environmental hazards.