A slow, clogged or dirty drain could cause numerous problems for your home’s plumbing system. However, using the wrong products to remedy the problem can lead to additional damage or hazards to your health. Fortunately, the products that you do need are readily available and can be safely handled with gloves, goggles or other basic items.
Why You Don’t Want to Use Chemical Cleaners
It may be tempting to skip the natural remedies and go straight to chemical drain cleaners that promise quick results with little effort. However, there are a number of reasons why you don’t want to use chemical cleaners that you see at the grocery or hardware store.
First, they aren’t any more effective than borax, baking soda or other natural materials that you can use. Therefore, you are risking serious damage to your drains with little or no added benefit. Next, one of the primary goals of cleaning out a drain is to improve indoor air quality.
Pouring caustic chemicals may harm indoor air quality because they release fumes as they pass through a pipe or drain. In the event that a chemical cleaner can’t get rid of material in the drain, it will simply flow back into the kitchen, bathroom or wherever it was poured.
In addition to a powerful smell, any chemicals that you breathe in could be hazardous to your health. Finally, you may be at risk of chemical skin burns or damage to any surface that such a caustic material comes into contact with. Ideally, you will wear gloves, goggles and clothing that covers as much skin as possible to minimize your risk of getting hurt.
If you are looking to help your home’s plumbing system, the folks at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air in San Antonio can help. We can evaluate the various drains in your home to determine if they need to be repaired or replaced and explain how doing so can make your house more comfortable.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar is a mixture that homeowners have used for generations to clean and clear drains in a safe and natural manner. When baking soda and vinegar combine, they create a burst of energy that will blast away organic material that is sitting inside of a pipe. After allowing the mixture to sit for a few minutes, you can blast it down the drain with a steady stream of warm water. You can then clean any remaining residue with a clean towel or soft cloth.
Hot Water
If you are looking to clean out a drain in a hurry, you can simply pour hot water inside of it. For best results, allow a pot of water to reach its boiling point on the stove before pouring it. However, you can also pour tap water directly down the drain if you want to save time or don’t feel comfortable handling something that can easily burn your skin.
Mix Dish Soap and Hot Water
Although baking soda and vinegar are used for many purposes, they aren’t necessarily household staples. However, dish soap is something that you will likely have sitting on the counter or under the sink. Dish soap and hot water can be particularly effective against grease buildup as the hot water and the soap will both act to break it down and carry it down the drain. Even if you do have baking soda or other suitable materials, dish soap may be the best choice after cooking chicken, turkey or other greasy foods.
Use Borax in Place of Baking Soda
Borax is often used to clean clothes or to keep pests away. However, it can also be used with vinegar to help clean out a drain that smells bad or is clogged with organic material. You simply mix the borax and vinegar together and let it sit in your drain for 15 to 30 minutes before washing it out with warm or hot tap water. It is important to keep borax away from your skin to avoid a potential adverse reaction.
If you are in need of indoor air quality or other professional services, call the folks at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today. Our team can repair a furnace, install a new air conditioner or install a dehumidifier in your property in a timely and affordable manner.
Tags: drains, plumbing