Indoor plumbing is one of those things most of us take for granted. Until problems occur, of course…
Clogged drains are a major inconvenience. And while they aren’t always dangerous, they can pose a health hazard. So what are you to do if you find yourself with a sink, tub, or shower that bubbles, burbles, and drains slowly — or worse — doesn’t drain at all?
Conventional wisdom may tell you that highly basic (we’re talking about pH here) drain cleaners are the solution. But more and more people are beginning to realize that as effective as they can sometimes be, the negative environmental consequences of using them are not worth any associated benefits.
Let’s explore how to protect both your plumbing and the environment with some eco-friendly — and effective — drain cleaning solutions.
Clogged Drains are Inconvenient & Can Be Dangerous
Clogged drains are a nuisance. If you find yourself here, we don’t have to tell you that. But the reality is that clogged drains can also be a safety hazard, breeding mold and mildew that can cause everything from headaches to asthma attacks and more severe respiratory issues.
What’s more, clogged drains can attract rodents and pests that carry diseases. Over time, they can also lead to waste buildup, contaminating your clean water supply.
Depending on the severity of a clog, and whether it’s in an ancillary drain or water main, it can also cause structural damage to your home. While this is relatively rare, it’s possible.
How Do I Unclog My Drains in an Eco-Friendly Way?
First, if your drain is stuck, don’t panic. You may be able to unclog it yourself, depending on several factors, including where the clog is located, what formed it, and whether it’s completely backed up or if some water is flowing.
Bathroom clogs are among the most common, and usually, they are caused by a buildup of hair or soap scum. In many cases, when water is still flowing and the clog is minor, cleaning drain pipes can be as simple as snaking the drain with an extended coat hanger or other homemade chemical-free drain unclogging solutions.
It’s important to note that if water is fully backed up or if you’re experiencing a drain clog in a kitchen sink with a garbage disposal or a serious toilet clog, or if various drains in your house are clogged, you may be better off calling a plumber for professional drain cleaning services.
In some cases, your water main or other large pipes could be clogged, and in these instances, unclogging an individual drain yourself will do very little to remedy the problem.
What Are Some Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaning Options?
If you’re experiencing a minor clog, then using a natural drain cleaner — either one that’s enzyme-based or one that you make yourself from common household ingredients — could be an effective solution.
For instance, HGTV recommends these 5 organic drain cleaners:
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Baking soda and lemon juice
- Baking soda and salt
- Baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar
- Salt and borax and vinegar
The reason these solutions work to unclog drains is that they use natural basic solutions not unlike conventional drain unclogging solutions such as Drano®.
For larger and more serious clogs, manual removal, which is a naturally-eco-friendly choice, is always the best choice, whether that involves methods like manual snaking, electric snaking, drain augers, or hydro-jets. (These are some of the tools that plumbers use for professional drain cleaning).
How Do I Prevent Clogged Drains?
As is the case in other areas of life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to keeping your home’s plumbing and drains clean and clear.
In line with that advice, American Home Shield recommends these helpful drain maintenance prevention tips:
- Do not clog kitchen drains with food or coffee grounds.
- Dispose of — or better yet, compost — food scraps. (Throwing food down the garbage disposal if you have a septic system is not recommended because the bacteria that naturally occurs in human waste and helps to break it down isn’t equipped to handle larger food scraps).
- Pour liquid grease into a sealable container and dispose of it later in solid form. Never pour grease or oil into your drain. Ever.
- Cover tub and shower drains with mesh or hair catchers. And whenever possible, keep soap scum out of bathroom drains.
- Replace shower and tub stoppers with ones that have built-in screens.
- Brush your hair before showering or bathing to minimize hair buildup. And when bathing furry friends, place a washcloth over the drain. Better yet, bathe animals outside with the hose or at a groomer’s if possible.
- Watch what you flush. We recommend against throwing baby wipes or wet wipes down the toilet, even if they are branded as “flushable”. They don’t break down nearly as easily as toilet paper does.
- Never throw dental floss, feminine hygiene products, or paper towels down any drain, including your toilet.
We also recommend regular drain cleaning as a home plumbing best practice to keep your pipes clean and get ahead of clogs.
Rely On Beach Plumbing for Eco-Friendly Plumbing Solutions near Cypress, CA
Need help unclogging drains in your home in an eco-friendly way? Beach Plumbing can help with all your sewer and drain cleaning needs.