Woodlands Plumbing are complex systems that involve pipes, fixtures, and appliances to provide clean water and drain wastes in homes and buildings. Plumbers install, repair, and maintain these systems to ensure safe and efficient operation.
When purchasing a new home, it’s important to consider your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Knowing what features are essential will help you narrow your search and make a confident decision.
When you combine baking soda and vinegar, you’re triggering a chemical reaction that creates carbon dioxide gas bubbles that physically agitate the clog to help break it down. It’s a safe, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial drain cleaners. Before you attempt this home remedy, make sure the drain is completely clear of standing water. This mixture can also damage some types of pipes.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline base, while vinegar is acidic. When these two chemicals interact, they create a bubbling action that may dissolve hair and grease residues. The fizzing action can also dislodge a stuck-on food particle that’s causing a foul odor. If the clog is a serious one, however, this homemade solution may not be enough to break it down.
Generally, baking soda and vinegar are effective on small blockages and odor-causing debris in household drains. They’re not a good choice for major clogs or for clogs that are caused by mineral deposits. It’s also not recommended to use this mixture for cleaning a garbage disposal, as it can corrode the metals inside.
For best results, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Then, let the mixture sit and fizz for about 30 minutes. If necessary, repeat the process until the drain empties freely. It’s important to flush the drain with boiling water afterward to remove any remaining baking soda and vinegar.
Be careful when using baking soda and vinegar in older, galvanized pipes. The resulting carbon dioxide gas can put too much pressure on the pipe and cause it to rupture. In addition, the vinegar may eat away at the composition of copper and brass pipes. If you suspect that your pipes are old and worn, consider calling a professional plumber to inspect and replace them.
Bleach
It is common for homeowners to reach for the blue and white bottle of bleach in a desperate attempt to solve their drain clog. Unfortunately, dumping bleach down the drain will only sanitize the sink and kill odor-causing bacteria, it will not break up or dislodge clogs.
Bleach is corrosive, especially when mixed with acids like vinegar or acidic household cleaners and can damage pipes. Moreover, bleach reacts with metal, such as copper pipes in older homes, to create toxic fumes and cause leaks. This is why it is essential to rinse all surfaces and utensils with water after using any type of cleaning product in or around your home, including bleach.
Pouring bleach down the drain also damages the P-trap, which is a pipe that connects the sewer line to your sink. The p-trap serves to keep sewer gasses and other bad odours from entering your home. If the p-trap is empty when you pour bleach down the drain, the bleach will remain trapped in the p-trap and if another chemical is poured down the drain, the bleach and the other chemical will mix to create harmful gases.
Bleach may not only corrode your pipes, but it will also contaminate the soil around your house if it seeps into the groundwater system. This can negatively affect the environment and cause problems for people living in or visiting your property, including skin irritation and respiratory issues.
Aside from being corrosive, bleach is extremely toxic to humans. Depending on the concentration, it can burn your eyes and skin, and inhaling bleach fumes can cause nausea and breathing problems, even for those who are not asthmatic. In addition, bleach is a dangerous poison to children. In fact, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 270,000 children under the age of five are injured by household cleaning products each year, with bleach being one of the most popular causes. The poisonings usually occur when kids pour bleach or other household cleaning products down a drain without adult supervision. The solution to this problem is simple, always supervise kids when they are using household cleaning products and make sure the bleach is in a closed, sealed container.
Drain snake
A drain snake, also called a plumber’s snake or drain auger, is an effective tool for removing clogs that are beyond the reach of a plunger. It consists of a long, flexible metal cable with a small uncoiled spring, or auger, on one end and a handle on the other end. As you crank the handle, the snake will uncoil and push through your drainpipe until it reaches the blockage.
Before you begin snaking, remove the p-trap (the U-shaped piping under your sink) to get direct access to your drainpipe. It’s important to use caution and wear rubber gloves, as the process can be messy. Once you’re ready, place the snake’s head into the clogged drain or the access point on the wall. It’s important not to run hot water while you’re using the snake, as this can trap the clog in your pipes and damage them.
Once you’ve fed a few inches of the snake into the pipe, start rotating the crank handle. As the snake moves through the pipe, it will encounter the clog and either break it up or wrap around and entangle it. Once the snake has successfully cleared the clog, you can pull it back out of the drain.
If you have a stubborn clog, try using a longer snake with a larger auger head. If you’re still unable to clear the clog, you may need to call a professional plumber. However, if you’re comfortable using DIY tools, a drain snake can save you time and money. When choosing a snake, consider the type of clog you’re dealing with and the size of your pipes. Smaller, handheld snakes are ideal for most clogs, while large electric models can tackle more challenging obstructions.
Internal hair catchers
Hair catchers are a safe, natural drain cleaning alternative to harsh chemicals. These devices fit into your shower or bathtub drain, trapping hair to prevent clogs and making it easier to clean out. Look for models that accommodate different drainage lines, and find ones with fine mesh screens to catch hair while allowing water to flow freely. Rinse or soak the catcher periodically to remove buildup and sanitize it. It’s also important to inspect the catcher regularly and replace it if needed. You may also want to consider a model with detachable components for easy cleaning and maintenance.
For even more tips, check out our complete guide to cleaning your bathroom.