Chemical Drain Cleaners and Drain Snakes – How to Keep Your Drains Clear and Functioning Properly
Plumbing is a complex system that brings water in and takes waste out. It uses pipes made of materials like copper, PVC and PEX to transport the water and regulate water pressure.
It also includes fixtures like sinks, toilets and water heaters. The industry is growing thanks to energy-efficient innovations and a push for sustainability. Let Holmes Plumbing and Drain provide the expert help you need.
Clogged drains always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. They are frustrating to deal with and can lead to bigger plumbing problems in the future, so it is best to focus on prevention rather than trying to resolve a clogged drain at an inopportune moment. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to keep your drains clear and functioning properly.
One of the most effective and least expensive methods is to be mindful of what goes down your drains and ensure that only sewage and water go into them. This includes being careful not to flush non-flushable items down your toilet, such as baby wipes, cotton swabs, paper towels and feminine hygiene products. Instead, put these items in the trash can.
Another way to prevent drain clogs is to clean your drains regularly using boiling hot water. This helps to break down materials that may have built up in your pipes and can also help dissolve any blockages that are forming. However, this method should not be used on PVC pipes as it can damage them.
Other preventative measures that can be taken include the use of drain strainers in kitchen sinks, tubs and showers, which can help catch food scraps, hair and other debris and keep it from flowing down your drain lines. These are cheap and simple to install, and can greatly reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in your plumbing system.
Likewise, shower and tub drains can be protected with hair catchers, which are inexpensive and simple to install as well. These devices are especially useful in bathrooms, where hair loss during bathing or shaving can quickly lead to clogs.
Other simple and affordable methods for preventing clogs include the use of environmentally friendly drain cleaners, which contain non-toxic ingredients that dissolve clogs and remove debris from your pipes without damaging them. These products can be purchased at most hardware stores and should be used on a regular basis to maintain a healthy drain line.
Finally, the installation of a grease trap under your kitchen sink can also be very helpful in preventing clogs by capturing grease and oil before it can enter your plumbing lines. In addition, a drain vent guard can be installed to prevent leaves, twigs and other debris from entering your plumbing vents.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners use a chemical reaction to break apart clogs and clear the pipe for adequate drainage. They are most effective for removing soft hair or grease clogs that accumulate close to the drain opening. However, they can damage pipes by producing excessive heat during the chemical process. The extreme heat can melt or warp plastic pipes, and cause metal pipes to corrode. This damage is often irreversible and can cost a significant amount of money to repair.
The most common chemical drain cleaners use sodium hydroxide, better known as lye, to decompose organic materials like hair, fats and food particles. The lye also produces heat during the chemical reaction that helps to melt and loosen clogs. These products are available in liquid, powder or gel form and can be purchased at most hardware stores. The more acidic chemical drain cleaners are typically only sold to licensed plumbers.
Many of these products create toxic fumes that can affect indoor air quality (IAQ) and be harmful to health, especially for people with respiratory problems like asthma. They are also not good for the environment as they can cause environmental harm by releasing dangerous chemicals into waterways.
Most chemical drain cleaners require the user to mix them with hot water, which can produce a lot of heat during the chemical reaction. This can cause the pipes to scald and can melt or warp PVC plastic pipes. It can also cause metal pipes to corrode and bulge. If the clog is caused by a large build-up of grease, the excess heat can also liquefy it. However, if the grease is not completely liquefied and is still clogging the drain, the heat-producing chemical reaction can linger for a long time, which can increase the risk of a fire or other serious issue in your home.
The biggest concern with using chemical drain cleaners is that they can hide the fact that you have a larger problem in your plumbing system. If you have recurring clogs, it is likely that there is a broken pipe or sewer backup in the line causing them. Using chemical cleaners can only temporarily fix the problem and could lead to further damage down the line.
Plumber’s Snake
A plumber’s snake (also called a drain auger or toilet jack) is one of the most commonly used tools in the professional plumbing kit, but it’s also useful for DIY homeowners looking to unblock stubborn pipes. This slender metal snake is typically reserved for those clogs that won’t respond to a plunger. The coiled wire has a broader gap between coils at the terminal end, which is attached to a device that cranks a rotation similar to an auger, moving it through the pipe or drain until it comes into contact with the clog. The end then dislodges the clog or breaks it up into small pieces so that it can be pulled out of the pipe.
Before using a plumber’s snake, make sure to prepare the area and wear appropriate safety gear. It can be messy to use, and the coiled wire can snap back at you. It’s important to work slowly and carefully, as well as take frequent breaks. If the clog doesn’t clear after several attempts, or you notice water backing up in other parts of your home, it’s time to call a plumber.
There are many different types of plumber’s snakes available, including handheld versions that are ideal for toilets. The most common type, however, is a long, coiled metal wire with a handle on one end and a specialized head at the other. The head on a plumber’s snake can be shaped like a hook, designed to pull out hair and other solid debris, or it can break up and dislodge the clog by pushing or scraping against the walls of the pipe.
When using a plumber’s snake, be careful not to push it too hard. Doing so may damage the piping or the snake itself. Instead, if it becomes stuck, try rotating the handle and applying gradual pressure. If this doesn’t work, you may need to remove the snake and try again with a different type of head.
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting to use a plumber’s snake. It’s especially important to read and understand the safety precautions for an electric drain auger, which operates much more quickly than its manual counterpart.
Acid Drain Cleaners
Using chemical drain cleaners is a quick way to dissolve clogs when mechanical methods like plunging and drain snakes have failed. However, it’s important for contractors to understand when and how to use these products in order to avoid damage to pipes and ensure safety. This guide will explore the different types of acid drain cleaners, their mechanisms of action, and best practices for utilizing them effectively.
Acid drain cleaners, which are typically sold exclusively to plumbers, contain high concentrations of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. These chemicals increase the number of hydronium ions in a solution, which attracts electrons from the organic materials that make up a clog. This creates a chemical reaction that releases heat, melting grease and dissolving other oily substances. Acid-based drain cleaners are effective at dissolving major clogs, including those created by hair and grease.
Caustic drain cleaners have a pH of around 10 or higher. They are bases, meaning they give off OH- ions that attach to the molecules in the clog and generate heat. This breaks down the clog and dissolves any solids. The clogged material is then flushed away by water. Caustic drain cleaners are effective at removing soap scum, hair, and other debris that is too thick for mechanical methods to break up.
Oxidizing drain cleaners, which are also found in many home stores, have a pH of 1 to 2. These chemicals release oxygen, which gives off a gas that has a negative charge. This draws the electrons off of the clog’s molecules, making it easier to break down. These cleaners are good for removing tree roots that have grown into sewer lines and can disintegrate other types of organic clogs as well.
While most chemical drain cleaners are safe to use when directed, they can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. These products can also irritate the skin and eyes, so proper safety precautions must be taken. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for usage and safety precautions. Most drain cleaners emit strong fumes, so be sure to open windows and doors to improve ventilation. If you’re not comfortable handling chemical drain cleaners, call a plumber.