What You Need to Know Before Cleaning Your Drains

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

How To Clean Drains And How They Work

Few plumbing issues frustrate homeowners in Maple Grove, MN as much as a clogged drain. If your sink or toilet is draining slowly, you might consider reaching for a drain cleaner to break up the following:

• Tangled hair
• Excess oils
• Soap buildup
• Food particles

Here are some options for cleaning drains and how they work.

Chemical Cleaners
Many people are familiar with these popular drain-cleaning solutions. Harsh chemicals work on clogs by creating heat that breaks up substances that stand in the way of water flow. This option requires careful consideration. Chemicals can settle on weak, old, and heavily clogged pipes, causing them to corrode and possibly rupture, leading to flooding. If this happens, it may be necessary to contact a sewage cleaning company to clean up contaminated water.

Plungers
Anyone who has a house with old pipes might prefer using a plunger to remedy a clogged drain. When clogs are not dense or only in one location, a forceful water rush can push trapped material through the pipe to restore water flow.

Augers
These devices, also called drain snakes, are long, flexible steel cables that can reach far into drains until they contact the clogging substance. Depending on what causes the clog, the substance can either be broken apart or pulled out. It is necessary to maneuver the snake carefully to avoid damaging or puncturing a pipe.

Enzyme-Based Cleaners
Instead of chemical drain cleaners, enzyme-based products are a safer option to avoid and eliminate clogs. These products employ good bacteria that slowly and gently eat away at organic substances like hair, mold, and food.
Caring for your home's plumbing means using appropriate methods to clean your pipes and break up clogs that will inevitably form within them. If repairing a clogged drain leads to pipe damage and flooding, you can count on a professional cleaning service to dry your belongings and prevent mold spread.

For help pointing you in the right direction with any of your plumbing needs feel free to call our local office for assistance at 763-498-6500