Drain Cleaning Houston is an essential preventative maintenance task to reduce clogs, foul odors and other plumbing problems. Clogged drains are a leading cause of bacteria in our homes due to food, soap scum, paper products and other materials that should never be in our drain lines.
Foul odors are also caused by stagnant water that attracts pests like flies, mosquitoes and roaches looking for a moist and dark environment to thrive in.
Clogged drains are common problems that can be difficult to deal with. When a drain gets backed up with organic waste, such as food particles, grease, hair, and paper, many homeowners turn to chemical cleaners to remove the clog. Chemical drain cleaners can be poured down the drain and are intended to create a chemical reaction with the clog that breaks it down and allows water to flow freely. However, these products are not without risk and can damage your pipes, causing more costly repairs in the future.
The harsh chemicals in chemical drain cleaners can be damaging to your plumbing system, especially older pipes. They may cause corrosion and leaks from joints, or they can disintegrate plastic PVC pipes over time. In addition, they can be dangerous to your health if they come into contact with your skin or if you breathe in their fumes. Chemical drain cleaners can also be toxic to pets if they ingest them and can be harmful to the environment if they are washed down the drain and into waterways.
If you are tempted to use a chemical drain cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. These cleaners typically require a specific amount to be poured down the drain in order to achieve the desired result. They must be poured slowly and steadily to avoid spillage and to ensure that the chemical reaction takes place in a controlled way. This is important because the corrosive chemicals can be very dangerous if they get on your skin or in your eyes. They must also be used in a well-ventilated area to prevent toxic fumes from building up.
Instead of using a chemical drain cleaner, try pouring hot water down the drain first. This will help to break up any solid debris and can be a much safer alternative to using corrosive chemicals in your home. Then, you can follow up with a drain cleaning solution such as baking soda and vinegar to clear out any remaining clogs. This is a natural alternative to chemical drain cleaners and can be just as effective for many clogs.
Hydro-Jetter
If your floor gets dirty, you mop it. If your bookshelf gets dusty, you dust it. When your drain pipes get dirty, though, you’ll need more than a drain snake to clean them. In many cases, a plumbing professional will use a tool called a hydro jet to clean the interior of your pipes. This method uses pressurized water streams to scour the walls of your pipe, eliminating most types of clogs and leaving your pipes in better condition.
To use a hydro jet, a plumber will insert a hose with a nozzle into the access point to your clogged drain or sewer line. The nozzle is attached to a water tank that’s pressurized up to 3500 psi, creating powerful water jets. The nozzle itself may be designed for specific types of clogs, such as hair or soap scum. The nozzle is then aimed at the blockage and fired. The high-pressure water will blast away the clog and may spray some backward, which can contain harmful bacteria and should be avoided with protective gear like goggles and gloves.
After a clog is removed, the plumber will check the lines for any further problems using a video camera. This will help them identify where the problem is and what caused it, so they can design a strategy to prevent it in the future. For example, a video inspection can reveal if a tree root has grown into the line and is causing a backup. The plumber can then choose the appropriate nozzle for this type of clog to prevent it in the future.
Residential sewer systems benefit greatly from hydro jetting services. These pipes can be difficult to access with a snake, but the water jets make short work of even the most stubborn clogs. In addition, the scouring action of the water jets can eliminate odor-causing food particles that may have lodged inside your drains.
Commercial and industrial drains also benefit from hydro jetting services, as their large size makes them challenging to reach with a snake or chemical cleaner. Often, restaurants and other food processing businesses experience fat, oil, and grease (FOG) build-up in their pipes that eventually leads to hard blockages. This can cause unpleasant odors to rise into their kitchens. Hydro jetting can easily remove these materials from the walls of a pipe and flush them into larger municipal sewer lines.
Enzymatic Foam Cleaner
Commercial drain cleaners are powerful solutions designed to tackle tough clogs in high-usage environments such as restaurants, hospitals, and apartment complexes. By breaking through severe blockages, these products help to ensure that drains remain functional and hygienic throughout business hours, saving businesses money by reducing plumbing costs. Commercial drain cleaners come in liquid, gel, and foam forms and can be poured directly down the drain. They generally work by dissolving the material causing the clog, such as grease, hair, or food particles. Different products use different mechanisms to break down these materials, including caustic chemicals, oxidizing agents, and enzymes and bacteria.
Before using a chemical drain cleaner, always try to clear a clog with a plunger or other simple tools. If these do not work, it’s time to move on to a more heavy-duty solution like a drain snake or hydro-jetting. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to harsh chemicals, consider using an enzymatic drain cleaner. These products contain bacteria and enzymes that break down organic clogs, such as food waste, hair, or grease, and are safe for your pipes and the environment. These products may work slower than chemical cleaners, but they are safer for regular use and less toxic for human health.
It’s important to maintain a routine of regular maintenance with these products to keep your commercial drains in good condition. Performing a drain cleaning at least once every six months can reduce the risk of serious clogs and improve efficiency in your facility. Regularly using commercial drain cleaners can also save you the cost of professional services, such as snaking or hydro-jetting, which can be expensive and disruptive to your business.
Our Instant Power Professional Bio-Enzymatic Commercial Drain Maintainer is a non-toxic, non-corrosive product that uses enzymes to break down and remove hair, soap scum, paper, fats, oils, proteins, and more. It also prevents future clogs with a formula that inhibits buildup of organic matter, making it perfect for your business.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Homemade drain cleaners using household products are a safe and effective solution for minor clogs. These natural solutions also help prevent clogs and are more environmentally friendly than chemical cleaners. They can be used as part of a regular maintenance routine to help keep pipes clear and healthy.
Baking soda and vinegar can be an effective DIY clog cleaner when used properly. This combination can lift and dissolve a variety of substances, including grease. For best results, this cleaning solution should be left in the drain overnight. The extended contact time allows the mixture to work more thoroughly and makes it easier to flush away with hot water the next day.
To clean a drain with baking soda and vinegar, first remove any standing water from the sink or tub. Pour one cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. This will cause a reaction to occur, and the resulting foam can dislodge many types of clogs. Cover the drain with a cloth or drain plug to enhance the effectiveness of this treatment. After waiting a few minutes, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and cover it again. This will create a second reaction and continue to dislodge blockages in the drain.
This solution is especially helpful for kitchen drains that can become clogged with food scraps and other organic debris. It is important to remember that vinegar is very acidic and can corrode some types of pipes over time, particularly older copper or brass pipes. To prevent damage to your pipes, use this solution as a last resort or in conjunction with other drain cleaning methods, such as an enzyme-based cleaner.
In addition to cleaning your drains, baking soda and vinegar can be used as an effective drain deodorizer. Simply sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the bottom of your garbage disposal and turn on the drain to activate the mixture. This will eliminate odors and keep your kitchen drains smelling fresh and clean. For added benefit, consider implementing a regular drain maintenance routine that includes using natural cleaners to prevent clogs and a regular flushing of your drain with hot water.
