Drain cleaning methods range from simplistic to complex. A complete repair of the drain system means it takes a professional plumber to get you back in working order. However, many problems are repairable without great expense. What are some of the best methods for cleaning your drains?

1) Hot water

Practically cost free and quick, running hot water down a drain helps to free up congealed fats/greases. These deposits often catch small to large bits of debris. Some homeowners run the water for 15 minutes to dislodge any buildup as a preventative approach.

The only con to this drain cleaning method is if you to take it to the extreme and dump boiling water into the drain. Boiling water is hard on PVC pipes, most of which are rated to only handle 140 degree water. At a boiling point of 212 degrees, this far exceeds what’s recommended and leads to the pipes being completely replaced.

2) Homemade remedies

If you’ve got a clog that is too significant to dislodge with hot water, try using a homemade solution. One of these is vinegar and baking soda. This is more aggressive than water alone but not as extreme as commercial cleaners - which are quite toxic.

The down side to this drain cleaning approach is it’s ineffective on some types of materials. For example, one of the most common clogs is fat or grease being improperly disposed of in the drain. Vinegar and baking soda aren’t surfactants; which means, they can’t adequately dislodge oil and grease.

3) Chemical drain cleaners

Drano, Pure Lye, Invade, CLR, GreenPig –all are highly rated chemical drain cleaners that start working on clogs quickly. In fact, the majority of clogs are “eaten away” in 10 to 15 minutes. They are often used in tub/shower drains where hair is the main culprit, or in the kitchen sink where food buildup and grease block the drain.

However, if you’re eco-conscious, they contain many pollutants. Furthermore; they create noxious fumes and are dangerous when contacting skin. Finally, the chemical reaction is bad on plumbing pipes. This is especially true when used repeatedly to unplug the drain.

4) Plunger

It’s not just for the toilet – Use it in any drain. A plunger creates suction over the drain and forces air in and out of the drainpipe as it plunges up and down. This allows whatever is built up inside your drain to break free. It’s a quick and easy solution that involves no cleaners and doesn’t damage pipes.

The con - if it’s a serious clog it can simply move deeper into the system. This ultimately leads to a more drastic measure, usually carried out by a plumber, and likely involves using jet rodding methods or a snake.

4) Snakes

Plumbers and DIY home owners often use a coiled spiral snake. It comes in a variety of lengths and various attachments for the end. It is spun into an obstruction, breaking it apart. Most snakes only require manual use via a small auger, but some use a drill for quicker, deeper penetration.

While the snake gets drain water flowing in the right direction, it’s seen as a temporary fix. That is because it doesn’t scour the inside walls of the drain, leaving deposits behind that are a gathering spot for future debris.

5) Hydro jetting

For a thorough drain cleaning method use hydro jetting to remove clogs and clean the walls of the drain pipes of all debris. Hydro jetting is also referred to as jet rodding. This is used by plumbers to send a stream of water under high pressure through a customized nozzle. The result sends water in several directions for a more comprehensive cleaning and removal of debris.

If your pipes aren’t strong enough to handle the pressure, hydro jetting is a big mistake. You don’t want to clear a clog at the expense of your pipes. Only a qualified plumber should use this procedure, and only after they have fully examined your pipe material to make sure it can hold up to the water blast.

Commercial drain cleaning services

At Valley Fire Protection & Plumbing, our highly trained plumbers have all the tools they need address all your drainage issues. We utilize video cameras to find exactly where your clog is and what the material is made of. Then we make the determination as to what method is best for the specific scenario. From simple toilet clogs, to more complex drainage problems deep within your system, we have the experience to tackle it all. So contact us today and schedule an appointment.

Related Topics: drain cleaning \/\/ Plumbing Tips