Just occasionally, do you use a drain cleaner? Chemical drain cleaners are turning out to be quick and easy cures for sluggish sinks and shower drains in UK homes. The trouble is they are abrasive to plumbing and icky (and in some instances dangerous) to deal with, and nevertheless do not always resolve the core of the quagmire.
A rundown of practical circumstances where drain cleaner can come in handy, when to stay away from it and what else you could try instead.
Pros of using drain cleaner
No tools are needed and you can find it at most grocery stores; fast, convenient.
Removes light build-ups: think soap scum, grease and small amounts of hair.
Last-ditch effort: when basic methods have failed and the drain is still sluggish.
Cons (Why Plumbers Often Hate It)
It hurts your pipework: older pipes, seals and joints can be damaged by repeated use.
It is dangerous to work with: splashes can burn the skin and eyes, fumes can irritate the lungs.
If you have a deeper blockage in the system, then your chemical might settle within the trap and can cause no action at all.
You can also make it more difficult for the professionals to unclog and repair the full drain if it is still clogged with fluid that has caused severe corrosion hazard when opened up again.
Not eco-friendly: most are just too strong and you have to handle them carefully when dumping it.
Safer alternatives to try first
1) Boiling water (carefully)
Can be used to clean grease and grime. It will help to avoid boiling water on delicate plastic pipework if you are not too sure.
2) Plunger
Most blockages a simple sink plunger can shift quickly. Cover the overflow with a wet sponge to improve suction.
3) Snake hair removal tool
Cheap gloop-pullers can be used in showers, bathroom sinks and can often pull out hair and soap gunk.
4) Finally, sodium bicarbonate and vinegar
These do a fairly nice job of loosening mild build-up. It is less aggressive than other chemicals, but will not solve a real blockage. When you need an Emergency Plumber Cheltenham, visit https://www.hprservicesltd.com/emergency-plumber-cheltenham/
When to call a plumber
No matter whether you have multiple drains running slow, bad smells coming from your drain (indicating methane gas being returned up to a vent), gurgling of sinks or toilets, water backing up at the base point of fixtures like showers and tubs – If any one of these scenarios exist, it’s time for some real professional care.
