Clogged Drains in Olympia? Call John’s Plumbing
There are few plumbing problems more frustrating than a finicky, slow-draining, or clogged drain. Here at John’s Plumbing, we completely understand the stress that homeowners face when presented with plumbing issues. While we do not recommend the use of drain cleaner for a variety of reasons that we’ll touch on more in this post, we know that it’s many homeowners’ first approach to unclogging and cleaning their drains. However, using liquid drain cleaner can cause a host of problems for your plumbing and the environment.
Is Drain Cleaner Bad on Your Plumbing?
Many liquid drain cleaners available at the supermarket work by chemical reaction. The harsh chemicals dissolve whatever is clogging your pipes, but that’s not the only thing they do! The heat and gas released by the chemical reaction can soften PVC pipes and contribute to corrosion in other areas of your plumbing system.
Is Drain Cleaner Bad for the Environment?
Yes, liquid drain cleaners are bad for the environment. Unfortunately, the harsh chemicals used to manufacture liquid drain cleaner can seep into groundwater and soil either from the residue left in containers or through weaknesses in a plumbing system.
Additionally, the chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are poisonous and can cause severe injury or illness if unintentionally ingested. The drain cleaner can also cause burns when it makes contact with your skin. It’s best to stay away from liquid drain cleaner altogether.
Save Money by Calling a Plumber
Instead of spending money on liquid drain cleaners, invest that money into a professional plumber. Here at John’s Plumbing and Pumps, our plumbers have years of experience diagnosing and repairing plumbing issues, including clogged and slow-draining drains.
Drain cleaner won’t work at all in some cases of clogged or slow-draining plumbing fixtures. If the source of the clog is anything other than grease buildup or a hairball, drain cleaner won’t work. Save your money, effort, and the environment by calling a professional plumber to clean your drains.
How To Unclog a Drain Without Drain Cleaner
Instead of using liquid drain cleaner for slow-draining or clogged plumbing fixtures, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar activated by boiling water to help clear the blockage. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call the professional plumbers at John’s Plumbing & Pumps in Olympia, Washington!
Instead of using liquid store-bought drain cleaner, try the following methods to unclog or clear your drain:
Use a Plunger
You may have luck dislodging the source of a completely clogged drain with a plunger. Take the following steps:
1. Remove the Stopper
Completely remove the pop-up drain or stopper.
2. Cover Up Other Outlets
Locate and cover any other accompanying drains such as the other side of the sink or the overflow drain with a damp cloth.
3. Place the Plunger
Place the plunger’s cup over the drain and fill the tub or sink with water. Once the water covers the plunger cup, turn it off.
4. Plunge
Apply pressure and plunge up and down vigorously without removing the plunger cup from the drain for approximately 3o seconds. Afterward, pull the plunger straight up to create more suction and see if the drain clears.
5. Repeat
Repeat the process as needed until the drain is clear, or you dislodge the source of the clog. If you can’t clear the drain with a plunger, you can attempt to clear the drain with a natural drain cleaner.
Use a Natural Drain Cleaner
If plunging doesn’t work, the next step we recommend is to mix your own natural drain cleaning solution.
1. Baking Soda
Begin by sprinkling about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.
2. Vinegar
Pour the same amount of vinegar down the drain.
3. Hot Water
Pour plenty of hot or boiling water down the drain, taking care not to burn yourself, and allow the mixture time to work at dissolving any blockages.
Clogged Drains Can Ruin Your Plumbing System
It’s best not to ignore any clogged or slow-draining plumbing fixtures in your home. Clogged drains can cause an unnecessary strain on your plumbing system resulting in more frequent repairs and required maintenance. Save money, energy, and time by calling a professional plumber at John’s Plumbing and Pumps in Olympia, Washington.
How Can John’s Plumbing and Pumps Help You?
Here at John’s Plumbing and Pumps, our plumbers and contractors have decades of combined experience with all things plumbing, including drain cleaning, sewer line replacement, plumbing repair, and routine maintenance. If you have a clogged or slow-draining plumbing fixture, don’t delay. Call us today to set up an appointment.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking every precaution to keep both our employees and customers safe. We have contactless payment options, and we can arrange to ensure social distancing on the job. We take your health and safety very seriously, and we can provide the high-quality plumbing services you expect while doing our part to help curb the spread of COVID-19. If you have any concerns or questions about our response to the current COVID-19 pandemic in Washington State, please give us a call!