Stop using chemicals and clean your drains the safer way

We all get a clogged drain from time to time. Whether it’s a result of hair in the bathtub drain or grease in the kitchen sink, clogs are just a part of home maintenance.

But, if you are still using chemical drains, your Brooklyn plumbers at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning have one piece of advice for you: STOP!

Here are four reasons why you shouldn’t put toxic substances down your drains:

1. They are bad for the environment.

Once you’ve poured them down the drain, they simply end up in your septic system for you to deal with or into a municipal sewer system for your local utility to have to clean up and most aren’t designed to separate this out. It ends up being a shared environmental pollutant.

2. They are harmful to humans and animals.

Not only can they put your children in harm’s way if they are accessible to small children, but they are also harmful to wild animals. Animals may end up drinking small doses of the toxic mixture once it ends up in the watershed.

3. They aren’t all that effective.

While they may open up a small hole in the clog, they aren’t all that great about getting rid of the entire clog. If the clog keeps returning, it’s better to call a plumber and get the whole clog removed and the pipe cleared so that the clog doesn’t keep building back up on the leftover debris.

4. They can hurt your pipes.

Believe it or not, the chemicals used in commercial drain cleaners are actually harmful to your plumbing. They can corrode your pipes or eat away at them, in the same manner, they attack clogs.

We recommend trying some non-toxic methods to clear your drains. The first step is to try plunging the drain. A bell plunger with a flange is best for the toilet while a cup plunger works best for sinks. If plunging doesn’t work, the next step is to try to dislodge the clog with an unbent wire hanger or a plumbing snake.

If that also fails, pour a cup of baking soda, a cup of vinegar and some warm water down the drain and let it sit for several hours and then try flushing and plunging again.

But, if nothing works, it may just be time to call the plumber. While this may be a little expensive on the front end, it’s still better than having to repipe your drains because a chemical method has ruined the plumbing.

Petri is a 24/7 emergency service plumber. If your problem is causing significant water damage in or around your home, call us at (718) 748-1254 immediately for assistance. We’ll get there fast and fix your problem as soon as possible!