How to keep pipes clean?
#1

Is it advisable to periodically pour unclogging chemicals (available from grocery stores) into one's sinks and drains to reduce possbility of future clogs? Or is there another way to maintain the household plumbing?
#2
I think chemicals are useful in some applications.
If you have clear drains, you can buy different brands of emzyme based products and have these little guys living in your drains eating away at grease and food particles. This is the route I would look at instead of the chemical applications.
If you have clear drains, you can buy different brands of emzyme based products and have these little guys living in your drains eating away at grease and food particles. This is the route I would look at instead of the chemical applications.
#3
When I had a septic system my aunt recommended using yeast once a month to keep the drains clear and also help the septic tank do its job. Would this work in keeping houselines clear or would it just run on through? I am on city managed sewer now.
Kay
Kay
#4

As notuboo recommended, just use a good non-toxic, enzyme-based drain cleaner like DrainCare for routine maintenance to prevent sluggish drains.
Follow the directions on the jug. It will eat out all organic matter such as hair, body oil, grease, gunk build-up, etc., and won't harm any pipes.
Good Luck!
Mike
Follow the directions on the jug. It will eat out all organic matter such as hair, body oil, grease, gunk build-up, etc., and won't harm any pipes.
Good Luck!
Mike
#6
Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 228
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Try Home Depot
If you don't find Drain Care in the grocery store (I didn't), try Home Depot. I found it there for quite a reasonable price and it worked well on my very sluggish bathtub.
Beth
Beth
#7
You will find several independant plumbing companies selling a product named Bio-clean. It is a powdered based product and a couple of years ago, I sold it by the case load.
Rotor Rooter has it's own proprietary brand of emzyme cleaner as does many of the drain cleaner imitators.
If you have trouble running down a product in stores, you might call around to a couple of plumbers / drain cleaners. They would be more than happy to sell it to you.
Rotor Rooter has it's own proprietary brand of emzyme cleaner as does many of the drain cleaner imitators.
If you have trouble running down a product in stores, you might call around to a couple of plumbers / drain cleaners. They would be more than happy to sell it to you.
#8
Re: How to keep pipes clean?
Originally posted by Scotswahey
Is it advisable to periodically pour unclogging chemicals (available from grocery stores) into one's sinks and drains to reduce possbility of future clogs? Or is there another way to maintain the household plumbing?
Is it advisable to periodically pour unclogging chemicals (available from grocery stores) into one's sinks and drains to reduce possbility of future clogs? Or is there another way to maintain the household plumbing?
#10
Originally posted by kaybyrd
I've also heard that pouring boiling hot water down the commode can help to keep those lines clear, too. Is that true or just another 'tale'?
Kay
I've also heard that pouring boiling hot water down the commode can help to keep those lines clear, too. Is that true or just another 'tale'?
Kay
#13
I haven't done this myself for that exact reason. I was afraid of pouring such a hot liquid into a cool porcelain fixture.
I vaguely remember someone saying that grease moves better when solid. I'm glad that was brought up, too. My favorite in the apartment I used to rent was using the baking soda and white vinegar. I was afraid to use anything else since so many of us were hooked up to the same system and I had no idea of what they were putting down their sinks! I started doing that to keep the smells down. The maintenance man recommended that I stop doing it since we didn't know what others were putting down their drains that could combine with my vinegar. I just put baking soda in after that to keep things a little fresher smelling.
Kay
I vaguely remember someone saying that grease moves better when solid. I'm glad that was brought up, too. My favorite in the apartment I used to rent was using the baking soda and white vinegar. I was afraid to use anything else since so many of us were hooked up to the same system and I had no idea of what they were putting down their sinks! I started doing that to keep the smells down. The maintenance man recommended that I stop doing it since we didn't know what others were putting down their drains that could combine with my vinegar. I just put baking soda in after that to keep things a little fresher smelling.
Kay
#14