Mississauga homeowners know the importance of water line cleaning, and they’re often tempted to tackle the job themselves with conventional “miracle workers” such as drain cleaners. Here’s why Mr. Rooter plumbers advise against using chemical drain cleaning products in your home.
Drain cleaners are not created equal. Some are bases (sodium hydroxide), some are acids (sulfuric or hydrochloric), and some are bleach (sodium hypochlorite). Some of these chemicals are not meant to be mixed together. If you mix bleach with a cleaner containing hydrochloric acid, it could kill you. For the chemists, here is the formula breakdown.
Hydrochloric acid + bleach --> water + table salt + chlorine gas
[2 HCl + NaClO --> H2O + NaCl + Cl2]
Because most of these products generate heat, they may soften the polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipes found in homes today. Damage is also likely to occur when the cleaner is used on older copper pipes. Aside from their effect on pipes, there are other disadvantages to chemical drain cleaners. They're extremely toxic if swallowed, and they can burn eyes, skin, and mucous membranes and eat through clothing. They can release noxious fumes, and if used improperly, they can cause explosions. Not to mention how bad they are for the environment, these chemicals eventually end up in our lakes from where we draw our drinking water.
If you have used chemical drain cleaners, read the directions carefully and heed all the warnings. Most importantly, please let your Mississauga plumber know that chemicals have been put down the drain. Use the product in a well-ventilated area, wear rubber gloves, and keep children and pets away from the drain. Never mix different cleaners, and don't use a plunger in conjunction with cleaners.
Now that you know why any amounts of drain cleaner are bad for your pipes and your health, what are the alternatives? Our experts use a variety of methods to get to the root of the plumbing issue and solve your clogged drain.
Rooting (drain snaking)
You may have heard of snaking, which involves a long cable turning at a high RPM to break up and push through the blockage. It solves localized issues in your Mississauga home, and it’s the best option for small blockages. It’s a great option for hair, bathroom soap scum, and shavings. It may also be an option for tree roots in the main building drain.
HydroScrub® Jetting
There are different options for hydro-jetting. HydroScrub® Jetting is our preference for your Mississauga home. Hydro-jetting can solve both local and widespread issues, and it’s excellent for all types of clogs, both big and small.
What is HydroScrub Drain Cleaning?
At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we prefer to use HydroScrub for our kitchen drains and most of the mainline drains. It’s the most effective method for clearing those blocked drains and sewer lines. Your Mississauga home deserves the very best, and HydroScrub is our solution of choice. It works exceptionally well for tougher clogs and dirty drains, as the technology uses high volume and high water pressure to clear it all out. It’s far superior to conventional snaking methods, and it brings about the best possible results.
With the use of a large water tank, pressure hose, and a proper nozzle, depending on the application required, this is a machine that takes on the toughest jobs and wins. The method restores the condition of the drain lines back to when they were originally installed, removing 99% of foreign matter in the line.
If you’d like to know more about our techniques for effective drain cleaning, Mississauga plumbers await your call today. We’ll be more than happy to talk to you in more detail about your cleaning options.