Keeping your drains and sewers free of obstructions reduces unpleasant odors and slow drainage and prevents harmful bacteria. It also extends the life of your plumbing system.

Educating the household about what shouldn’t go down the drains will help keep them clean and avoid future clogs. Good drain habits will also minimize the need for ongoing drain cleaning services. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth now!

Chemical drain cleaners are readily available at hardware stores and supermarkets in liquid, gel, and powder formulations. They are effective at eliminating some types of clogs, such as those caused by hair or food particles. However, if used incorrectly, they can also harm pipes and the environment.

All chemical drain cleaners work through a chemical reaction with the substance that is causing the blockage. These chemicals donate or receive electrons, which breaks down the molecules of the clog and releases heat. The heat liquefies grease and soap buildup, which can then be rinsed away. Caustic chemical cleaners, such as sodium hydroxide (lye) or caustic soda, release OH- ions that generate this reaction and are effective at breaking down hair, grease and other organic substances that are a cause for clogs.

Other types of chemical cleaners release oxidizers, such as bleach, peroxide or nitrates, that remove the water from the molecules of the clog to break it down. These products are effective against a wide range of clogs but may be damaging to pipes if they come into contact with metal.

Acidic cleaners are the most dangerous of the lot, releasing sulfuric acid that can burn the skin and eyes if it comes into direct contact. It can also corrode the metals in your pipes, leading to holes and leaks down the line.

These corrosive cleaners often require special gloves to handle and should only be used by professional plumbers. They can also release harsh fumes that can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs if exposed for extended periods of time.

These chemical cleaners can also damage the plumbing systems in your home if they come into contact with plastic, copper or galvanized steel pipes. They can melt or warp PVC pipes and erode or crack metal ones over time. In addition, they can poison the bacteria in your septic system, reducing its effectiveness. If you must use a chemical drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only use it on approved piping materials. Using natural drain cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar is a better option for most household pipes.

Plumber’s Snake

Whether your toilet is overflowing or your kitchen sink won’t drain that morning’s coffee, a plumber’s snake, also called a drain auger, can break apart most blockages and restore proper water flow. It resembles a long, flexible metal cable with a corkscrew-shaped auger coiled inside of it. The crank handle allows you to feed the snake into your home’s drainpipes and retrieve it once the clog is removed.

Before using the snake, prepare your work area by covering it with old towels and wearing rubber gloves. A drain snake can be messy, and the clog may contain hair or food particles that could drip or fall out of the pipe as you uncoil the tool.

Start by identifying which drain or pipes are clogged. If possible, remove the p-trap under your sink to make snaking easier; this is especially important if your clog is near the drain opening. Once you have your snake lined up against the clog, begin uncoiling it and rotating the handle as you go. This will enable the snake to chop up and dislodge any obstructions, and you can then pull it back out of the drain.

Keep in mind that snaking a drain can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if the clog is severe. If you are unable to clear the clog, consider seeking professional help. In addition, it is a good idea to clean your snake after every use to prevent bacteria and debris from building up on the tool and potentially causing damage to your drainpipes.

To avoid future clogs, try to be proactive by throwing away big food scraps instead of feeding them to your garbage disposal and installing a drain screen or strainer in your sinks and bathtubs. Also, avoid putting grease or fats down the drain, and make sure that you run cold water instead of hot when washing dishes or taking a shower. These simple steps can keep your drains flowing smoothly for years to come. Moreover, it is best to snake your drains when they are only partially blocked rather than waiting until they completely stop working.

High-Pressure Water

Drain clogs are not only annoying but can also cause problems for your plumbing system. Over time, they can lead to flooding and other issues that could be costly to repair. If you notice a foul smell or that water is taking longer to drain than usual, it’s likely time for a professional drain cleaning service. There are many ways to tackle a clogged drain, but one method that our plumbers recommend is high-pressure water. Known as hydrojetting, it uses highly pressurized water to blast away debris and eliminate blockages in your drain lines.

This is a non-invasive and environmentally friendly way to clear out your pipes. Unlike other methods like chemical drain cleaners, which can damage your pipes over time, high-pressure water cleans away clogs and leaves your pipes completely free of residue.

High-pressure water can be used to remove a variety of materials that often build up in your drains, including soap scum, grease, sediment, mineral deposits, paper towels, and more. These substances can form a thick sludge that is difficult for most drain cleaners to cut through. However, with the power of high-pressure water, even the most stubborn clogs can be cleared out in no time.

Another benefit of using high-pressure water is that it does not require any chemicals. These can be harmful to your pipes and cause unpleasant odors in your home. High-pressure water can also reach deep into your pipes to thoroughly clean out any clogs or debris that may be stuck.

The final benefit of using high-pressure water is that it does not damage your pipes. It is important to note that the type of clog or pipe will dictate how much pressure can be safely applied to the line. For example, soft clogs such as hair or grease can be cleared with less pressure than harder blockages like tree roots. In addition, a specialized camera is usually used to monitor the pressure being applied to the pipe so that it can be adjusted as needed.

If you are looking for a quick and effective way to clean out your drains, call Integrity Home Solutions today. We offer a variety of drain cleaning services, including hydrojetting, to help you keep your drains healthy and functioning properly. We also offer a comprehensive annual maintenance plan that can help prevent drain clogs from occurring in the first place.

Drain Cleaning Tools

Drain clogs are one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. Fortunately, with the right tools, they can be kept to a minimum or resolved quickly when they do occur. The right drain cleaning tools are also essential for helping your plumber spot and address any serious problems in your piping system.

One of the most common and simplest drain cleaning tools is a plunger. These versatile items can be used to remove a variety of stubborn clogs in the home, including toilet clogs and sink drain clogs. For more difficult clogs, such as those caused by heavy objects or tree roots, a standard drain snake may be needed.

For a more professional approach, a drain auger is an effective option for clearing out stubborn clogs in both residential and commercial plumbing systems. These long, flexible metal cables snake through a pipe opening until they reach the clog, where they then dislodge it with their corkscrew-like end. Depending on the model, drain augers can be either motor-driven or hand-cranked.

Another popular drain cleaning tool is the air gun drain cleaner, which uses pressurized air or carbon dioxide to break up and disintegrate a clog in a pipe system. These machines are typically small and lightweight, making them ideal for use by one person without assistance. They are also faster and more efficient than chemical drain cleaners, as they can target a specific clog point and dislodge it in minutes.

For more serious clogs that have not been addressed by other methods, a professional plumber can install a drain replacement line in your home’s plumbing system. This involves removing the old pipe and installing a new, durable line that can handle more serious debris loads. This method can be costly, but it is often the best solution for addressing serious and persistent clogs that do not respond to other drain cleaning methods. A professional plumber can also install a pipe fitting, which is a flexible tube that fits around a drain opening to keep water flowing through the pipes. These can be installed in homes with existing plumbing, as well as in new construction.