Clogged drains can be messy, smelly, and expensive. Drain Cleaning Tampa can prevent serious clogs and save money on utility bills.
Homeowners often try to tackle a clogged drain by running their garbage disposal or using a plunger on toilets and shower drains. However, these DIY methods can be damaging to pipes.
There are many ways to clean drains besides using chemical cleaners. One popular option is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. The reaction creates bubbles that help dislodge and break up trapped debris, especially grease. This simple home remedy is also inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Another option is to use a snake or plumbing auger. These long flexible tools can reach and break up even the most stubborn clogs without chemicals.
For more serious clogs, it might be necessary to call in the pros. Professional drain cleaning services are designed to address more complicated issues like removing large, stuck objects and root penetration. They can also prevent future clogs by removing built up residue and cleaning the inside of pipes.
Some of the most common drain clogs are caused by hair, hot fats and grease, coffee grounds, and food waste. These clogs can often be remedied by using a plunger or a snake, or by pouring boiling water down the drain. Other more severe clogs might require the use of a hydro jetting service. This method uses high-powered water streams to not only remove clogs but also clean and clear the interior of pipe walls, preventing future build up.
Chemical drain cleaners can be effective in breaking down some types of blockages, but they are not good for pipes over time and can cause noxious fumes when used incorrectly. The best alternative to chemical drain cleaners is eco-friendly enzymatic cleaners, which are safe for your pipes and the environment.
For very stubborn clogs that cannot be removed with either of the above methods, a plumber might need to be called in. This is particularly true for clogs that are caused by broken sewer lines or large objects, such as tree roots.
While there are many DIY ways to unclog a drain, the most important step is to prevent clogs from occurring in the first place. This means being mindful of what goes down your drains, sweeping up food scraps and other debris regularly, and never flushing anything down the toilet that isn’t human waste.
Hydro-Jetting
Unlike chemical drain cleaners, hydro jetting uses pressurized water to clean pipes. Plumbers use special nozzles to adjust the water flow and power, so they can blast away even the thickest blockages with ease. Using this method, they can remove grease, sludge, mineral deposits, and more from pipes and fixtures. This method can also be used as a preventive measure to keep clogs from occurring in the first place.
When a homeowner discovers a slow-draining pipe or clogged toilet, their instinct is to run to the store and purchase a chemical-based product. However, these products only work for a short period of time and can damage the insides of your pipes. Hydro jetting, on the other hand, can completely clean your pipes and sewer lines, leaving them looking brand new.
Before starting the jetting process, a professional plumber will conduct a video inspection of the pipe or sewer line. This helps them determine the severity of the clog and locate its location. It also helps them ensure that your pipes are strong enough to withstand the pressure of the jet stream. If not, they may recommend a different type of service for your home or business.
Once they have determined that your pipes are safe for jetting, the plumber will attach a hose to the jet nozzle and start blasting away. They may use a nozzle with more forward force to break up large debris like tree roots, or they might switch to a back spray to clear stubborn sludge. They can even use a nozzle with a narrow opening to get into corners and other tight spots that aren’t accessible with other nozzles.
Hydro jetting is an effective, long-lasting solution for clogged pipes. It can help eliminate stubborn grease clogs, as well as soap scum and other buildups that regular drain snakes can’t reach. This method can also be used to clean out sludge and other debris from commercial or residential sewer lines, and it can even knock down tree roots that are invading the sewer system. It’s important to note, however, that hydro jetting should only be performed by a professional plumber who has the proper training and experience. Trying to DIY this service can damage your pipes if the wrong water pressure is used or if the wrong types of nozzles are chosen for the job.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are liquid or powder products that are designed to dissolve blockages of hair, food and grease. They are available in hardware stores and work by creating a chemical reaction with the substances that cause the clog. They are usually categorized as either oxidizing or caustic. The former are designed to decompose organic materials, while the latter break down proteins from fats and oils.
Both kinds of chemical cleaners release fumes that are dangerous to breathe. Inhaling these fumes can irritate your nose, throat and lungs, leading to coughing and wheezing. Over time, repeated exposure to these chemicals can damage your respiratory system and even lead to a chronic illness such as asthma. They are also highly toxic to the environment, leaching into waterways and causing damage to plants and animals.
All chemical drain cleaners rely on powerful chemical reactions to do their work. These chemicals are heavier than water, allowing them to sink through standing water and reach the clog. They rely on these chemical reactions to donate or accept electrons from the substances that are causing the clog, breaking them down and turning them into a more liquid state.
Oxidizing chemical drain cleaners use bleach, peroxides or nitrates to generate oxygen that breaks down organic material and kills bacteria. Caustic chemical cleaners use sodium hydroxide, often referred to as lye, to generate heat and liquefy grease, soap buildup and oils that are solid at room temperature.
While chemical cleaners may be effective for removing some types of clogs, they are not suitable for all situations. They are especially dangerous if they come into contact with metal pipes, which can react with the cleaner to form an extremely hot and corrosive liquid that can cause severe pipe damage. They are also not suitable for removing stubborn blockages, such as those caused by tree roots.
If you have a persistent clog that won’t budge, consider alternatives such as hydro jetting. This professional-grade method is safe for your pipes and the environment, and it is more effective at removing tough, deep-seated clogs than chemical cleaners.
Pipe Inspection
If you’re dealing with a stubborn drain that just keeps coming back or smells like sewage, it may be time to have your sewer lines examined. Pipe inspection is a great way to catch problems before they become serious or cause damage to your home.
A trained and experienced drain technician can use a video camera to identify cracks, blockages, corrosion, and other issues in the line. These can be caused by erosion, tree roots, or simply age and wear. The technician can also use the camera to locate the exact location of the issue so it can be repaired quickly and easily without digging.
The technician will first need to find an access point for the camera. This is usually at the existing sewer cleanout or main house sewer trap. From here the camera can be inserted into the pipe and sent down to the bottom of the sewer line. As it travels, the technician will be able to see the live feed on a screen in real time. The technician can then maneuver the camera through tight spaces, curves, and bends in the pipe to get a close-up look at any debris or obstructions.
After the camera has reached the end of the pipe, the technician can view the results on a computer screen. They can then identify the problem and decide on a plan of action. This could include hydro-jetting, pipe repair, or replacement.
Another benefit of video inspection is that it can be used following drain cleaning to ensure the job was done properly. This is especially important when dealing with high-pressure water jetting, which can be difficult to monitor from the surface.
Many people believe that products like drain maintainers are an effective way to keep their pipes clean. While these products can be helpful in some situations, they are typically not as effective as a regular professional drain cleaning. These products work by reacting with organic waste and turning it into water and carbon dioxide. While this is a good option for reducing the build-up of grease and soap scum, it will not be able to remove any structural damage or cracks in your pipe.