Unclog Drains Without Harsh Chemicals

by Ri Industries Ri Industries No Comments

No matter how careful you are when using the sinks in your home, inevitably you will come up against a clogged drain. Perhaps the water is simply slow to drain down the pipe or the pipe is completely clogged and no water is draining. Either way, a fix is needed. Calling a plumber is an option of course, but if you choose to battle the clog yourself you have a choice to make.<

Do you want harsh chemicals making their way into your sewer system and eventually into the waterways? Do you want to breathe in the harsh chemicals while they do their work? Bleach and sodium hydroxide are the main ingredients in drain cleaners and are severely corrosive.  Contact via inhalation, ingestion, skin, and the eyes can cause major irritation, vision problems, vomiting, shock if ingested, and even thermal and/or chemical burns. If you need to clear your drains regularly, you are at risk of many potential health problems.

To avoid any potential problems, you will need to find alternative processes that will work to clear the drain without using harsh chemicals. Ri-Industries respects that decision and offers these following options for you to try, based on our knowledge of septic systems. 

  1. A simple and cost-effective alternative to harsh chemicals is to use washing liquid and hot water. When the clog is caused by grease buildup, this is an especially good option. Simply squirt a good amount of washing liquid down the drain and follow that with a kettle full of boiling water. This will break down the grease and clear the clog.
  2. When baking soda and vinegar combine, a chemical reaction happens which will bubble up and dissipate the clog. Begin by bailing out any standing water and removing all debris. Pour 1/2 a box of dry baking soda into the drain and then pour 1/2 cup a vinegar into the drain. IMMEDIATELY create a tight seal with a plunger or stopper.  The chemical reaction will be similar to those volcano experiments at primary school so be sure the hole is completely sealed to keep everything in the drain. Wait approximately 30 minutes and then pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. The drain should now be clear. 
  3. Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide will also work. Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Pour down the drain and allow to foam. This should remove the clog. 

You can clear a clog and still be gentle on your health and the environment by using the above options. If you have questions about your septic system, our experts will be happy to assist you. Please call us at 08 8444 8100.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *