Every homeowner wants to avoid dealing with clogged drains of all types, whether kitchen drains, garbage disposal drains, showers or bathtub drains, the challenges are many. For most people, the first and quickest solution to clogged drains is that of using chemical drain cleaners. However, these cleaners contain lots of toxins than can actually cause even greater harm to your plumbing system and pipes than the clog itself.
CHEMICALS ARE HARMFUL TO YOUR PLUMBING PIPES AND SYSTEM
There are a vast many drain cleaners on the market today, including crystals, powders, gels, liquids and foams all of which work along the same lines. Chemicals when poured down a drain create a heated reaction that typically dissolves the clog forcing it down the drain pipe. This very heat not only impacts the clog itself, but it also impacts your plumbing pipes and specifically those that are aged or made of plastic.
With this in mind the team here at Steve Mull Plumbing wants to advise our valued clients that chemical drain cleaners present a hazard to your family’s health. The fumes created by these cleaners can be poisonous and cause much harm to individuals as well as a number of health issues.
Further, these same chemical drain cleaners that easily cut through grease, hair, and other accumulated particles and debris, can be very corrosive and cause much damage to plumbing pipes. When used frequently, pipes, over time, will be heavily damaged and require replacement which can be quite costly. In addition, these cleaners present with an environmental hazard as well because they usually find their way into the ground and water sources over time.
Drain cleaners are not always the successful solution to the problem at hand, especially if a clog is not the result of a build up of hair or grease but rather is the result of a tree root. If such is the case, this is not a scenario you can handle on your own, but rather one that needs to be addressed by a professional.
WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF HARSH CHEMICALS?
The team here at Steve Mull Plumbing wants to share some simple at home options for dealing with your clogged drains:
- Hot water and simple dish detergent – You can boil hot water and blend in a few tablespoons of your favorite dish detergent. Allow the blend to foam and fizz and to sit overnight. The next day you can flush your clogged drain with your water and detergent combination.
- Baking soda and vinegar combination – Vinegar is very acidic and is considered a chemical while baking soda is a natural product for cleansing. Mix these two ingredients together and pour them down your clogged drain and let them sit overnight. In the morning, flush the drain with hot water for satisfactory results.
These are just a couple of simple but effective techniques to use to unclog your drains at home without having to rely upon harsh and hazardous chemical drain cleaners.
STEVE MULL PLUMBING IS HERE TO HELP
If you take time out to try our simple and often times effective home remedies only to learn that they did not work, don’t turn to those harsh cleaners but rather reach out to the professionals here at Steve Mull Plumbing. Our team of highly skilled and experienced plumbers is on hand to meet your every need and provide effective solutions to your clogged drains.
Here at Steve Mull Plumbing we are determined to resolve your problem no matter how stubborn your clog may be. We offer all our valued clients affordable prices, emergency services, and the highest quality plumbing products and services this side of Lebanon. Don’t reach for those harmful chemical drain cleaners, instead reach out to the pros here at Steve Mull Plumbing the next time you are faced with a clogged drain!