Common Drain Cleaning Misconceptions
When it comes to drain cleaning, there are a lot of myths circulating. Some beliefs that people use as mantras are actually false. For example, many people think that regular drain cleaning is not necessary. This is far from the truth. If you are a homeowner and you often find yourself plagued by drains that repeatedly clog, this is most likely because you do not have your drains routinely cleaned.
Every time you wash a dish, food particles and grease slide into your drain. It may not seem like much, but the amount of waste that enters your drain each year adds up. This is especially true when cleaning hot grease off your dishes. The hot grease goes down the drain as a liquid, however, as it cools it sticks to the inner lining of your drain pipes and hardens onto the walls of the drain decreasing the overall diameter of your drain pipe.
The same goes with bathroom sinks and showers, with hair and other scum clogging the drains. Over time, it collects into a clump which will clog and potentially damage your drain pipes. There is no way to avoid this damage other than by routinely cleaning your drain pipes. This should get rid of the waste that has been collected before the clump damages your pipes. Having your drains cleaned at least once a year is a good rule of thumb that should keep your drain pipes in good condition.
Chemical drain cleaners are commonly recognized as a fix-all solution, some can actually damage your plumbing system. The acidic chemical cleaning solutions eat away at whatever is blocking your drain. In this way, they are effective. The problem is that they also eat away at your pipes. Their chemical properties, foaming capabilities, and pressurization make them especially prone to negative reactions that could damage your pipes. In some cases, these chemical vapors can even be dangerous to your health.
Home remedies are often just as effective as their chemical opponents and are less dangerous. For example, a minor clog can be loosened by pouring very hot water down the drain. A plunger is another good option for small clogs. Chemical cleaners are sometimes even beaten by a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. While some chemical cleaners do effectively unclog drains, they are generally not worth the health risk and potential damage.
Another commonly believed myth is that garbage disposals are invincible. A garbage disposal cannot handle every bit of food you toss in. Many items can actually ruin garbage disposals, as well as clog the drain once they have made it through.
Foods like rice and pasta expand with water and will cause clog even after they’ve been through the garbage disposal. Celery, corn hush, artichokes, and other fibrous food items can jam the disposal blades. Bone and cartilage, eggshells, paper products, chemicals, starchy foods like potato peels, glass, metal, and plastic will also damage the garbage disposal blades.
If you refrain from letting these items into your garbage disposal, your chances of facing a clogged drain in the future are much slimmer.
Some people also claim that professional drain cleaning is not necessary. This is far from the truth in many ways. If you are facing a serious clog, the safest and most effective methods to remove that clog can usually only be performed by a professional plumber. A professional evaluation can also only be performed by a professional drain cleaner. Only an expert drain cleaner will be able to remove the clog and fix the damaged pipe before something even worse happens.
Give us a call to see how our expert drain cleaning plumbers can help you. We will have your drains clean and free of clogs in no time.
