Clogged drains are a fast-track way to spread foul odors and dangerous bacteria throughout your home. Regular drain cleaning can prevent clogs and keep your drains flowing properly.
Many clogged drains can be easily cleared with safe and natural drain cleaner solutions. If you encounter a stubborn clog, try flushing the drain with boiling water. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth now!
These cleaners contain corrosive chemicals such as sulfuric acid, lye, or hydrochloric acid that dissolve organic materials such as hair, food scraps, grease, and soap scum. They also break down inorganic substances such as rust, lime, and scale. They are available through retail stores and work well for removing soft hair and grease clogs that accumulate close to the drain opening. However, they are less effective when these clogs are farther down the pipes.
These products are highly toxic and require special handling. When used incorrectly, they can damage piping and fixtures. They can also release harmful fumes that irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Additionally, if these chemicals come into contact with skin or if they splash into the eyes, they can cause chemical burns. If ingested, they can also be damaging to the digestive system.
Because of their toxicity, these drain cleaners must be stored away from children and pets. They should never be mixed with water, as the reaction can generate significant heat and release hazardous gases. Chemical drain cleaners should also be disposed of properly, as they can seep into the ground and contaminate drinking water supplies and harm plants and animals.
When using these chemicals, plumbing technicians should always wear appropriate safety gear, including face masks, protective eyewear and gloves. They should also follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the product and how much to apply. It’s important to note that most of these products will react with the metal in the piping, so they should be used with caution in areas where piping is made from copper or plastic (PVC).
While chemical drain cleaners are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, they can be dangerous if not handled properly. They are typically poured down the drain in liquid form, and then they react with the clog to disintegrate and dissolve it. However, if the clog is composed of inorganic material such as stone or cement, this method will not be effective. It is recommended that contractors consider alternative methods such as mechanical drain snakes or hydro jetting for these types of clogs.
Hydro-jetting
The process of hydrojetting involves shooting a high-pressure water jet into pipes. This powerful force can cut through debris and clean out clogged drains. It is also effective for removing stubborn obstructions like tree roots that have infiltrated pipes. Hydrojetting can be used for both residential and commercial plumbing lines. However, it is important to have your pipes thoroughly inspected by a professional before using this method. Some pipes may be too old or damaged to withstand the intense pressure of the water jet.
For clogged drains and sewer lines, hydrojetting is the most effective option. It uses a specialized hose and nozzle to blast water at high speeds into the pipe, disintegrating clogs and flushing them away. The water scoures the interior of pipe walls, removing grease, mineral scale, food particles, and even knocking out intrusive tree roots. This intense cleaning can help prevent future clogs and pipe damage.
Hydro jetting is also an excellent choice for cleaning out sand in a sewer line. It can easily break through the thick sand and push it out of the system, leaving the pipes clean and free of obstructions. Unlike a plumbing snake, which just punctures the clog and may only be able to move a small portion of the blockage, hydro jetting can completely clear out stubborn clogs and prevent them from returning.
Hearing gurgling, bubbling, hissing, or banging noises from your drains can be an indication that you have a serious problem with your plumbing line or sewage system. If these issues are not resolved quickly, they can lead to costly sewer line repairs. Hydro jetting can get to hard-to-reach clogs and remove the materials that are causing them.
If you have a sewer backup issue, it can cause severe health and safety risks in your home. The resulting raw sewage can cause a variety of problems, including mold and bacteria. This is why it is essential to call a plumber right away if you notice signs of a sewer backup. A licensed plumber can use a sewer line camera inspection to find the source of the problem and recommend the best solution.
Mechanical drain snakes
Drain snakes—also known as plumber’s snakes or drain augers—are long, flexible steel cables that can be manually fed into clogged pipes. Their coiled end, which has the appearance of a corkscrew, bores into and latches onto whatever is causing the clog. This mechanical auger mechanism allows them to dislodge a wide variety of obstructions, including hair clumps, congealed grease and gunk, and stuck objects.
When using a snake, it is important to start slowly and exert minimal force. Exerting too much force can cause the cable to coil back on itself or damage the pipe. It is also important to keep the snake’s head as close to the drain opening as possible. This will help prevent the snake from accidentally slipping past the clog and entering another part of the pipe.
Once the snake reaches the clog, it is important to crank the handle and rotate it in both directions. Doing so will snag the obstruction and allow it to be pulled back up through the drain opening. If the clog is particularly dense or greasy, you may need to make multiple passes with the snake before it can be fully removed.
As you continue to crank and rotate the snake, pay attention to how its tension and resistance changes as it encounters different types of obstructions. This sensory feedback is what helps you determine when the clog has been fully eliminated. Once the clog has been removed, it is important to flush the drain lines with water from a bucket or running tap to ensure that all parts of the pipe are clean and free of debris.
Although there are many home remedies for clogged drains, snaking is often the best option for stubborn or persistent blockages. Depending on the type of clog and how you use the snake, this method can usually be completed in a few minutes with little to no disruption to the rest of your plumbing system. If you are unsure of how to properly use a drain snake, or are concerned about causing further damage to your pipes, contact a professional drain cleaner.
Specialty drain cleaners
Many homeowners deal with clogged drains at one point or another. It’s not uncommon for food, hair, grease and other organic matter to make its way into a pipe and cause a blockage. For this reason, it’s important to understand how different types of drain cleaner work so you can determine which product is best suited for your needs.
While there are many DIY solutions available in the market, professional plumbers have access to more specialized equipment that can get to those hard-to-reach blockages. From augers to snakes, there are a variety of tools that can dislodge even the most stubborn drain clogs and return your pipes to good working condition.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your drains flowing properly, an enzyme and bacteria drain cleaner may be the solution for you. These natural cleaners use bacterial makeup to break down the organic debris that leads to clogs, and they are safer for your pipes than chemical drain cleaners. However, they can take a while to work and won’t be as effective for a serious or chronic clog.
Caustic drain cleaners are a popular choice for removing stubborn blockages, but they can also wear away at your pipes. These cleaners typically contain lye, which breaks down the organic material in your pipes and dissolves grease. However, lye is very caustic and can be dangerous to handle. In contrast, oxidizing drain cleaners use household bleach, peroxides and nitrates to create a chemical reaction that causes the organic material in your clog to lose electrons and break down.
For more persistent clogs, a hand-powered or motor-driven auger can break up and remove large chunks of material from your pipe. This type of drain cleaner can also reach obstructions that a traditional snake might miss, such as a tree root infiltrating your sewer line.
If you’re tired of dealing with clogged drains and don’t want to risk damaging your pipes by using harsh chemicals, contact us today to schedule a professional drain cleaning service. We’ll send an experienced plumber to your home and unclog that pesky drain in no time!