Drain clogs are always really annoying, but you shouldn’t take the easy way out with harmful, over-the-counter chemical products!
It’s always extremely frustrating when you notice that your sink or toilet has backed up, but the truth is that clogs simply happen every now and again. A lot of people will quickly resort to over-the-counter chemical cleaners when they find themselves in a plumbing clog scenario, but these products are terrible for your drains and the environment.
Below we’ll be going over four safe DIY strategies to help you de-clog your drains yourself, and we’ll also let you know why it’s so detrimental to use harmful chemicals when your drains are clogged!
Why Harsh Drain Cleaning Chemicals Should Be Avoided
When any of your plumbing fixtures have become clogged, it’s important to remember that you may be in for more trouble that it seems like. There are scenarios in which clogged drains will require professional drain cleaning services, and our experts will always be there for you when you need us.
The biggest issue with drain cleaning chemical products is that they end up doing a lot of serious damage to your plumbing system, including dissolving your pipes, eating away at sealant, and potentially even eroding your sinks. These products can also potentially impose health risks, too.
And last but certainly not least, chemical drain cleaners are extremely bad for the environment. We’ve helped so many households throughout Northern Utah when it comes to fostering more eco-friendly plumbing and water usage habits over the years, so it’s important for families to know just how terrible these chemicals are for our sewer systems and our municipal water supplies!
4 Easy DIY Drain Cleaning Techniques To Keep In Mind
The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to chemical drain cleaners when you find yourself in a plumbing bind, and these alternatives include the following:
Using A Safe, DIY De-Clogging Solution
This first technique is a go-to solution for people before they start running off to hardware stores for supplies, because even a pot of boiling water can alleviate pretty pesky clogs in certain scenarios. Just remember that boiling water can actually do damage to your pipes, so you’ll want to dial back the heat at least a little bit before pouring it down your drains.
Baking soda and vinegar is another magical DIY solution that can alleviate pesky drain clogs, and what you’ll end up doing is pour the baking soda down your drain and then follow it up with vinegar. The reaction will result in a foamy mess, but it’s a rather effective DIY drain cleaning strategy.
It’s also important to remember that you’re likely going to need to keep working at your drain clog in order to fully dissolve it. Many clogs will sometimes take an hour or more of DIY de-clogging until it’s fully eradicated, and you may need to combine several techniques to ultimately get the job done.
Getting Physical
Although a lot of people may want to avoid getting physical with their DIY drain cleaning, it’s sometimes necessary. You can start out by using a plunger to see how that goes, but it’s likely that you’ve already tried that and are at the stage where you’ll need to put your gloves on and start fishing!
A lot of drain clogs aren’t too deep within pipes, especially if the cause is toothpaste, hair and other debris that builds up over long periods of time. Be sure to keep these DIY solutions as safe as possible, particularly when unclogging kitchen drains with garbage disposals.
Trying Out A Drain Snake
Drain snakes are one of the most common pieces of plumbing equipment that professionals will utilize for their drain cleaning services, and this technology is pretty basic yet incredibly effective.
Although it’s technically possible to do DIY drain snaking, it’s best to leave this solution in the hands of a seasoned professional. Beehive Plumbing has invested heavily in state-of-the-art drain snakes, so our equipment will be much safer for your pipes and will get the job done more efficiently.
Using A Wet Vacuum
Wet vacuums aren’t the typical equipment that you’d utilize for a clogged drain, but there are situations in which you can literally suck up a clog within your drains without needing to get your hands dirty. Of course, you’d need a very powerful vacuum to do this, and you’re likely better off investing in professional equipment instead.
One great drain cleaning strategy that Beehive Plumbing provides is hydro jetting, which is an incredibly effective method that thoroughly rinses out your drains with high-powered water currents. No clog can stand in the way of hydro jetting technology, and this is a good solution when you want all of your home’s drains effectively cleaned at the same time!
Reach Out To Our Drain Cleaning Experts To Learn More About How We Can Help You Safely Get Rid Of Pesky Clogs!
Beehive Plumbing has been a drain cleaning provider throughout Northern Utah for over 20 years, and our seasoned specialists are here to help you when you’re experiencing a clog that simply won’t go away.
Reach out to us online or call us at 801-661-8155 to speak with our drain cleaning team today about what you’re currently going through!