How Can I Naturally Clear My Drains?
Your drains may not be delicate, but they do require a little TLC to keep them flowing smoothly. When you have clogs, it can be tempting to reach for the strongest chemical you can find to remove the blockage. But this is often a mistake that can cause considerable damage to your pipes. Plus, it means introducing toxic chemicals into the water supply. That’s why many clients ask us whether there are natural alternatives to heavy-duty drain cleaners. Indeed, we recommend many solutions that don’t involve toxic chemicals or caustic solutions.
Say No to Caustic Cleaners!
Always remember; if it rhymes with Drano®, it’s a no! Many heavy-duty cleaners are caustic, which means they essentially burn organic matter. Repeated use of these chemicals can cause corrosion, cracking, and eventual failure of your plumbing systems. Further, exposure or inhalation can irritate your skin and damage your eyes and lungs. It’s simply not worth the risk, especially when there are safer, cleaner, healthier alternatives equally as effective.
Natural Is Best
Cleaning your drains naturally will help you breathe easier. Natural solutions preserve the air quality within your home and reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals that can irritate your skin and negatively affect your health. It’s better for you, better for your family, and far better for the environment.
When choosing a drain cleaning solution, never choose a solution that doesn’t ensure the safety of each one of our favorite “P’s:”
- Plumbers
- Pets
- People
- Pipes
- And Planet!
Break Out the Baking Soda & Vinegar
You may remember making a “volcano” in an elementary school science class. You may not know that the chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda and vinegar are mixed can be used to clear your drains and pipes. Run your hot water for a minute or two, then pour half a cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar into the drain. Cover and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse the drain with hot water. This solution can remove shallow clogs as effectively as over-the-counter drain cleaners.
Reach for a Snake
Drain snakes are pretty cheap, and you can pick a decent snake up at the hardware store for around $10. Like drain cleaning solutions, these are effective at removing single, shallow clogs, such as hairballs or food scraps from the U-shaped trap right below your sink.
However, you have to be very careful using a drain snake. If it is used incorrectly, you can cause significant damage to your pipes. For this reason, we strongly recommend you only use a snake if you are 100% comfortable with how to use it without jeopardizing the integrity of your plumbing systems.
Beat It Back With BioOne
At Dupree Plumbing, our certified plumbers know their way around a drain clog. Our professional drain cleaning services will have your drains cleared effectively, safely, and naturally. BioOne is our top choice for eco-friendly drain cleaning solutions. It is easy to use, nontoxic, and effective at removing built-up grease, hair, food waste, and other common causes of drain clogs. It is one of the most effective nontoxic, all-natural cleaners available! As a biological drain cleaner, it relies on thriving colonies of microbes to clean your pipes. Once the solution is poured into your drains, these microbes feast on the debris within your pipes.
Within seven to 12 hours, the microbes will finish the job and leave your pipes clean as a whistle. It leaves no toxic residue behind and will eliminate noxious odors from emanating from your plumbing system.
Are you wondering how best to remove clogs and keep your drains clean? Contact the plumbing professionals at Dupree Plumbing at 770-428-2291 to learn about our drain cleaning services.