Clogged drains can cause real neck pain. They also cause unpleasant odors and can lead to serious plumbing problems over time.
Regular drain cleaning can help prevent clogs, extend the life of your pipes, and ensure a safe and sanitary living environment for your family. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth now!
Clogged drains are one of the most common and frustrating problems homeowners face. They can be caused by a wide range of materials, from hair and food scraps to grease and soap scum. While reaching for a chemical drain cleaner may be tempting, these products can do more harm than good.
Chemical drain cleaners work by creating a chemical reaction with the substance that is causing the clog. Caustic drain cleaners, such as lye or caustic potash, are bases that give electrons to the clogging material and release hydroxide ions to dissolve it. Oxidizing drain cleaners, on the other hand, use substances such as household bleaches or peroxides to liquefy organic material and release heat. Both cleaners are typically heavier than water and can move through standing water to reach the clog.
However, these chemical reactions can also damage your pipes. Most chemical drain cleaners generate significant heat, which can melt or warp plastic pipes. This can lead to leaks and serious structural issues in your home. They can also cause corrosion in metal pipes, especially if they come into contact with water.
Moreover, these chemicals are not good for the environment. They can contaminate groundwater and potentially poison local wildlife. Lastly, they can also pose a health risk to your family. Chemical drain cleaners often release toxic fumes that can irritate your nose, eyes and throat. They can also affect your indoor air quality (IAQ) and trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Fortunately, there are safe and effective alternatives to chemical drain cleaners. You can try natural DIY solutions such as hot water and baking soda or vinegar, which are more environmentally friendly and don’t pose a risk to your health or the environment.
Hydro-Jetting
While snakes puncture clogs and augers can chip away at soft blockages, hydro jetting uses pressurized water to blast through even the most stubborn sewer lines. It’s a great option for commercial and municipal pipes with larger diameters that snakes and augers can’t handle, as well as homes with heavy use of grease.
The process involves connecting a hose to the drain and then using a powerful stream of water to remove debris, including tree roots, from the pipe. It’s important to note that this is a highly specialized and dangerous procedure and should only be performed by trained professionals who have the right equipment and know how to take proper safety precautions.
During the process, the plumber might also utilize a rooter to break up thick roots that have invaded the sewage line before attacking them with the water jets. They’ll also choose a nozzle with varying degrees of power and force, depending on the type of debris being removed. Some nozzles are designed to get around corners while others have wider back sprays for breaking up and dissolving sludge.
Hydro jetting also does a better job of eliminating odors caused by food residue or rotting garbage that’s lodged inside the pipes. This is because it scoures the sides of the pipes, eliminating any lingering bacteria. Additionally, a video inspection can help the plumber to identify any issues with the pipes and their waterproof coating before hydro jetting, preventing future problems.
Regardless of the severity and location of the clog, there’s usually no need to resort to DIY methods like drain snakes or chemical drain cleaners. Instead, contact a professional plumbing service to perform a thorough point-by-point inspection with hydro jetting to ensure the integrity of your pipes.
Enzyme Cleaners
Enzyme cleaners are an eco-friendly alternative to chemical drain cleaners. They work by harnessing nature’s power to speed up organic decomposition and eliminate odor. Enzymes break down the proteins, fats, and starches that make up most stains and organic buildup. This allows the contaminants to be washed away easily with water, leaving surfaces clean and odor-free.
These non-toxic cleaners are effective for removing organic soils, including pet urine and feces, spoiled food, mildew, and coffee grounds. They are also useful in tackling tough grease deposits. They can be used on any material or surface that can get wet, including fabrics, but are not recommended for use on rayon and silk.
Unlike chemical cleaners, enzyme cleaners do not have any harmful ingredients or compounds and do not produce toxic fumes. However, they require warm water to activate and must remain in contact with the stain for at least 15 minutes to be fully effective. They should be kept out of sunlight, as UV radiation can destroy the enzymes and prevent them from functioning properly.
In addition to temperature, the concentration of bacterial species in a drain cleaner is an important factor in its effectiveness. For this reason, it is important to choose a product with a minimum ufc/mL (unit-forming colony per milliliter) count for the best results.
You can make your own enzyme cleaner at home by combining chopped citrus peels, lukewarm water, brown sugar, and yeast in a plastic bottle. Then, let it ferment in a warm area for at least a month. The resulting liquid can be sprayed onto a variety of surfaces, such as upholstery, fabric, and carpet.
To test how well your homemade enzymatic cleaner works, pour it over a piece of dry cat food. If it dissolves completely, the enzymatic cleaner has successfully broken down the protein in the cat food.
Mechanical Drain Snakes
Also known as plumber’s augers or “snakes”, these long steel cable tools allow you to mechanically bore through and retrieve clogs that sink plungers and chemical cleaners can’t. Like plungers, drain snakes use a mechanical approach, but their core components and mechanism let them physically latch onto, then chew through or dislodge obstructions.
First, choose a plumbing snake suited to the type of clog you’re facing. For example, if your drain is blocked by solidified grease or soap scum, you might need a thinner pipe-sized cable with a smaller auger head. If your clog stems from a broken pipe or sewer backup, on the other hand, you might require a sturdier, longer cable with a larger head.
After that, prep the pipe or drain by either removing the p-trap (the curved piping under the sink) or by gaining access to the trap arm. Then, uncoil the snake’s cable and start feeding it into the pipe. Be sure to feed it slowly and steadily, as attempting to force the cable into an obstruction can damage the drain entrance or pipe.
As you feed the snake through your pipes, listen and feel for any changes in resistance. This sensory feedback lets you know when the clog is grabbing or snaring something, which in turn lets you decide how to proceed. Be patient – some stubborn clogs may take multiple passes with the snake before they break loose completely. If you encounter a particularly stubborn or deep blockage, don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber for assistance. And always remember: Prevent clogs by keeping big food scraps out of your garbage disposal, installing and regularly cleaning a grease trap or drain guard in kitchens, and using strainers or screens in bathtubs and sinks to catch larger debris before it can wash down the drain.
Video Inspection
A plumbing camera is the best tool for learning about the condition of pipes and drains. Because many pipes are located behind walls, under flooring, and underground, determining the cause of a problem can be difficult without the use of a plumbing video inspection. Having a plumber do this inspection at the beginning of a drain cleaning service can take all the guesswork out of locating a blockage or determining what sort of repairs may be needed. It can also help when purchasing a new home, as it will allow you to see exactly what state the plumbing is in before having to pay for any costly repair work.
Modern video pipe inspection equipment allows plumbers to send a miniaturized digital camera attached to a flexible cable into plumbing lines, which gives them a clear view of the inside of a drain or sewer line. The cameras are connected to monitors, and the feed can be recorded to show to a customer later.
The biggest benefit of using a plumbing camera is that it can be used to locate clogs and other problems in places where they might otherwise be missed. Some clogs can be hidden in small cracks and joints, or at sharp turns in pipes that would be impossible to spot with the naked eye. Using a plumbing camera can help locate these clogs and repair them before they become major problems that require extensive digging and damage to property.
Another big benefit of using a plumbing camera is that the video inspection can be used to identify the source of a blockage or damage, and determine the best way to address it. This allows plumbers to efficiently tackle a problem and minimize any damage that might be caused by invasive methods like pulling up floorboards or tearing out drywall. In addition, the ability to identify a problem quickly and accurately can reduce the need for harsh chemicals that can cause environmental damage.
