Your drain is clogged. The water drains slowly or pools in your sink, causing an ugly, stinking mess. Even worse, it can cause permanent damage to your home’s pipes and plumbing system. You may be tempted to empty a bottle of drain cleaner down the drain and hope for the best– but drain cleaner may only be a temporary fix. Read on to discover why Michael’s Plumbing of Central Florida recommends other alternatives for your clogged drains.
What’s wrong with drain cleaners?
Drain cleaners are caustic and toxic, containing chemicals like lye, bleach, sulfuric acid, and aluminum, which can burn your exposed skin and irritate your upper respiratory tract. With continued use, they can weaken your pipes. They may be effective at eroding the clog, but they can also damage the interior of your pipes, leading to leaks or other issues.
Liquid drain cleaners are an environmental hazard. The chemicals in liquid drain cleaners can wind up in the water, potentially harming fish and other wildlife. The individual plastic containers may be marked for recycling but still wind up in landfills.
Liquid drain cleaners are not a permanent solution. Often, the drain cleaner will dissolve only a portion of the clog. Your water is draining, so it’s all good, right? Wrong! An incomplete fix will give you a little time before the drain is clogged again. A drain cleaner won’t do anything for problems like root infiltration or broken pipes.
DIY drain cleaner alternatives
If you’re looking for a quick fix but want to avoid dangerous chemicals, try one of the alternatives below. They may not be a permanent solution, but at least you don’t have to deal with standing water.
Baking soda and vinegar can freshen your drains. Mix half a cup of baking soda and vinegar and pour the solution down your drain. Let it sit for an hour before pouring hot water down the drain to see if this common fix has made a difference.
Use a drain snake to pull out hair and other debris. You may be surprised at what’s lurking in your drain.
Try a plunger. This old-school solution may be all that’s needed to pull out the offending clogging matter. Ensure your sink basin has at least an inch of water to create a strong seal and better suction while plunging.
A professional drain cleaning solution
At Michael’s Plumbing of Central Florida, we rely on high-tech solutions like video drain inspections that allow us to see just what’s causing the backup. Our plumbing experts can diagnose your drain clog, whether caused by your teenage daughter’s long hair or something more nefarious, like cracked pipes or improper installations. We can catch problems early, which may save you money in the long run. With special sewer machines or plumbing tools, we’ll have your sinks and tub draining freely in no time.
If your drain is clogged or draining too slowly, reach out to Michael’s Plumbing of Central Florida in Orlando. We’ll comprehensively inspect your plumbing and use the newest technology to diagnose and fix drain problems. Call Michael’s Plumbing of Central Florida today at (407) 219-9772 or reach out online.