Alternatives to Chemical De-Cloggers
Life happens and so do clogged drains… hairy situations, grease and food particles. When stuck in this plugged up mess, and you don’t want to use traditional chemical cleaners you wonder what natural home de-clogging solutions actually work. We’ve compiled a list of simple and effective methods to clear your drains without the guilty conscious.
Why Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Bad?
There is no doubt that when you have a clogged-up drainpipe, chemical cleaners are the easiest alternative to get the water moving again. Nevertheless, each pour of chemicals drags some negative effects together with it.
When you put the drainpipe cleaner down your pipelines, the fluid starts a chain reaction that creates a lot of heat. This heat is what helps to clear your drainpipe; however, it also has damaging results on your pipelines. This heat will cause your PVC pipelines to soften and to crack gradually, which will certainly cause deterioration in your metal pipes.
You’ll encounter even worse situations if the drain cleaner is unable to clear the clog, this will leave chemical residue in your pipes likely causing more damage than they would have otherwise.
Alternatives?
Hot water and detergent you may be wondering, why is baking soda and vinegar not on the list? Contrary to popular belief, the fizzy combination is ineffective when fighting greasy clogged drains. Vinegar and baking soda are not surface acting agents, so they do not carry fat, oil, and grease as well as a detergent. Opt for a mixture of detergent and nearly boiling water to melt away FOG (fats, oils, grease) away.
Drain Snakes are a terrific alternative to chemical drainpipe cleansers. They work by hooking whatever is clogging your drain at the end of a long coil, or flexible plastic dowel and pulling it out of the drain to make sure it is no longer a problem. It can become an unsettling task depending on what is hiding in the pipes, but it is quite effective.
Enzyme Solution some clogs may be too tough or too far down for hot water and drain snakes. In this situation try an enzyme drain cleaner, not only are they eco-friendly but they contain enzymes and bacteria which eat through organic material present in the drains.
For some clogs, simply using a DIY drain cleaner or plunger will not completely unclog your pipes. If these methods don’t work, give our team at T.J. Huggard Plumbing a call to clear your drains in no time! Visit our website to learn more about the services we provide.
