When your water is draining slowly or not at all, grabbing a chemical drain cleaner can be tempting. No homeowner enjoys having a backed up tub or sink. A five minute fix sounds really appealing. Assuming a chemical drain cleaner even resolves your drain problems, you can damage your pipes using it. Before you start dumping something corrosive down your drain, consider trying some safe solutions instead. If you have more than one drain clogged or draining slowly at once, you likely have a main sewer line problem. Unfortunately, this is a more serious problem that needs professional attention straightaway.  FitzGerald and Sons Plumbing Company has been serving the Atlanta area for decades, so we have seen our share of drain clogs. Follow these tips and give us a call if you need us to come out!

Safe At-Home Solutions

Try these safe alternatives to a corrosive chemical drain cleaner. Option 1: Rinse your drain with a pot full of very hot (not boiling) water and then follow with cool water. Option 2: Prepare a 1:1 mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Leave in your drain overnight and then rinse with hot water. These methods are generally utilized for monthly maintenance to prevent buildup, but they can sometimes work against clogs as well. If safe solutions are not working, skip the chemicals and call in the professionals. Chemical drain cleaners are often not effective and so you risk wasting money on the product and damaging your pipes long-term.

Clog Prevention

Being proactive about your drain maintenance can save you money and hassle down the line. If you take some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the change of clogs in your home.

  •       Invest in Hair Catching Drain Covers—For under $10, you can buy a drain cover to catch the hair before it becomes a giant clog down your drain. By using a cover and cleaning it out daily, you can avoid the hassle of a slow drain or clog later. Most of these covers just sit on your existing drain and require no installation.
  •       Do Not Place The Wrong Things Down Your Garbage Disposal or Toilet—The toilet is very simple. If it is not toilet paper or human waste, do not put it in your toilet. Even “flushable” wipes are not really designed to be flushed. We have been called out because of clogs from these products many times. Toilet paper and human waste only! As far as your disposal, these items are the most notorious for creating clogs: grease, eggshells, bones, fats, oils, rice, pasta, potatoes, celery, onions, lettuce, coffee grounds, pits, and seeds. When in doubt, just put it in your trash and skip the hassle.
  •       Clean Your Drains Preventatively—Using the baking soda and vinegar method described earlier, you can keep your drains free from buildup. Add this process to your cleaning routine once a month ideally.  if you use a garbage disposal, it’s very easy to keep the odors at bay using citrus like lemons, limes, or even oranges.  Use the leftover pulp and some of the skins and juice, ground up, and well-flushed through your disposal to keep your sink clean and odor-free.

 

Clogs happen at the most inconvenient moments, so we are standing by when you need us. FitzGerald and Sons Plumbing Company can generally provide a professional drain solution same-day. If you need further drain cleaning advice or want to schedule a visit from one of our staff, contact us today!