Dealing with a clogged drain can be pretty frustrating. You expect your drains to be clear and free-flowing.
Whether it’s your sink or shower drain, chances are your pipes will eventually face a blockage or clog.
Sometimes, you wish you could fix your plumbing issues with the flick of a wrist or a cup of boiling water. It would be much easier to unclog a drain or fix a leaky tap without much effort.
Many products on the market are designed to tackle plumbing issues, making 'do it yourself’ solutions more accessible and appealing.
They claim that their products are easy to use and sometimes better than hiring a professional tradesperson to carry out particular works. Some of these products are drain cleaners, such as liquid, caustic, or biological drain cleaners.
Is drain cleaner safe to use?
Chemical drain cleaners are generally liquid and contain Sodium Hydroxide (lye), Potassium hydroxide, bleach and Sodium nitrate. These chemicals work together to cause a reaction when these ingredients mix with minerals and chemicals in the water.
The desired effect is to break down anything that comes into contact with these combined elements. Chemical drain cleaners are available in most home improvement stores and supermarkets.
Hair, grease, soap, and food debris can easily get stuck in your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners tackle these obstructions by breaking them down. However, these strong, toxic chemicals can harm your skin if you come into contact with them.
The chemicals can also damage your eyes if you get some splashed on you.
Liquid drain cleaners can cause damage to your pipework. Most pipe materials can’t withstand the cleaner with repeated use. You have a risk of corrosion due to the heat and reactions.
If your pipes are already cracking or rusting, adding more chemicals can worsen the problem and ultimately cause them to break. Over time, this can seriously weaken your property’s water channels.
Mixing store-bought drain cleaners with other cleaning products can cause a chemical reaction that generates heat and toxic fumes. These fumes can seep from the sink, posing a risk to your household’s health.
These factors must be considered before using harsh chemicals on the drain unblocker. There is an alternative if you need to unblock your kitchen or bathroom sink or garbage disposal.
What can I use instead of a chemical drain cleaner?
There are other methods of clearing a clogged drain or sewer line, and these steps could be better for the environment and your home.
These are simple ways to clear drains, unblock minor clogs, and clean garbage disposals, and they can be done with household items.
Plunge
A good plunge can effectively remove a slight obstruction, depending on the area you want to clear.
A flat plunger can work on sinks and bathtub drains, while a more tapered one is ideal for toilets. The trick is how much pressure to use; you may need to plunge the drain a few times to work successfully.
Environmentally friendly cleaner
Baking soda and vinegar are great combinations for cleaning the home. To make the best cleaner, use half a cup of baking soda, vinegar, and hot tap water in equal parts.
Pour these elements down the clogged drain and let it sit for a few minutes.
This method works on the same principle of reactively breaking down oils and fats, but the soda and vinegar are not harsh on the environment or your pipes. You can also opt for a biological drain cleaner. It’s a non-toxic blend of natural bacteria and powerful enzymes that eats away hair build-up, grease, food, soap scum, and other organic residues that have built up in your plumbing or septic systems.
Professional Plumber
You can call a licensed professional plumbing team to fix your clogged drains and other plumbing problems. The plumber will have the necessary equipment, such as a drain auger or a plumber’s snake. A snake breaks up the obstruction in your pipes down your sink.
It is motorised and best used by someone with experience working with a plumbing snake. Your trusted plumber also comes fully equipped for tough obstructions like tree roots.
Ways to prevent a blocked drain
They say prevention is better than a cure, and this is true for your home’s plumbing. If you follow these helpful tips, you can avoid costly repairs.
- Water is the only liquid that should go down your sink. Be mindful of what you put down the sink when washing and cooking.
- When you are finished with cooking oil, bag it and bin it! Do not pour leftover cooking oil down the pipes.
- You can purchase a drain guard to catch small objects before washing them.
- Toilet paper, human waste and water are the only things that should go down your toilet.
- Regular maintenance and cleaning by a licensed plumbing team.
It is easy to prevent a clog from happening, and there is no need for chemical cleaners to cause more harm and damage.
You can have a well-maintained sink and drainage system. Keep an eye on what goes down your sink, and if you have a blockage, try the baking soda and vinegar method and a good plunge.
Think Twice Before You Use Drain Cleaner
Some wet wipes advertise themselves as flushable, but they can actually wreak havoc on your plumbing and the environment. Liquid drain cleaners might look like an easy fix, but their abrasive chemicals can erode your pipes over time, leading to leaks and costly repairs. Instead of risking damage, consider safer alternatives or professional help for clogged drains. Remember, to protect your home, toss wet wipes in the bin rather than flushing them.
If you are dealing with recurring blockages and need professional assistance, Fixed Today Plumbing is here to help. Sydney households have relied on our friendly team across decades for honest advice and long-term drainage solutions. We avoid guesswork phone estimates because factors like pipe depth, earthenware vs PVC materials, and tree root intrusion differ significantly; inspecting your drains on site allows us to provide an upfront quote and explain each task clearly before any work begins. When you call, sharing details about your property's drainage symptoms and pipe age helps our team arrive with CCTV cameras and water jetters ready. Reach out to Fixed Today for supportive, transparent plumbing guidance.
