5 Reasons to Avoid Drain Cleaner Chemical in Clogged Drains

While some may argue that chemicals work more effectively than milder cleaners, we have finally weighed in some reasons why this should not be the case. Most Canadian homeowners would surely opt for effective cleaning, but to achieve such, some elements should not be compromised. For safer and more practical household plumbing and cleaning, here are the top 5 reasons why you should avoid using chemical drain cleaners in clogged drains: 

1. Chemicals are toxic and can produce fumes in clogged drains

There are many reasons why chemicals are silent killers, but when it comes to being a drain cleaner tool, they can do more harm than cleaning. Chemicals are not only highly toxic to your children or pets, but they can also damage your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners generate heat to break down clogs along your pipes. This heat can compromise the quality of your PVC piping, softening them in the process. Additionally, any chemical drain cleaners produce fumes that are toxic and can burn your eyes. Children and pets should never be nearby if you choose chemical cleaners for your household plumbing. Better yet, don’t use chemical cleaners at all to avoid risks of burns and toxic absorption in clogged drains. 

2. Corrosion, erosion, and deterioration of pipes in clogged drains

Chemical cleaners also corrode older metal pipes and cause erosion as well as deterioration of pipes. Since old metal pipes typically have corrosion in them where the cleaner could enter and not leave, the chemicals in the cleaner will continue to eat your pipes, causing further corrosion and leaks. If you have plastic pipes, the chemicals can eat through the plastic and cause leaking and damage. 

3. Can end up in water sources when used on clogged drains

Another huge problem with commercial drain cleaners is the chemicals they contain. Most of these cleaners contain bleach that causes toxic fumes. When using these cleaners, they can easily end up in the water sources or supplies. To add,  dumping chemical cleaners into your drain means that they will definitely go to septic systems. Keep in mind that anything you dump into your clogged drains has the potential to be taken into the groundwater around your home which can also affect your health. 

4. Not effective and does more harm than good in clogged drains

We hate to break it to you but chemical cleaners don’t work on every clog. When it comes to stubborn clogs, chemical cleaners are not that effective. Letting these chemicals sit for longer periods of time may even increase harming the pipes. If you flush them out, this can also lead to problems with the septic system. Also, not all clogged drains can be resolved with chemical cleaners. For instance, pipes clogged due to tree roots in the backup drain require professional plumbing and clearing services beyond chemical cleaners. So, take note that chemical cleaners are not as highly effective as homemade cleaners most of the time. 

5. Damage to sinks or bathtubs when used on clogged drains

Chemical drain cleaning solutions contain strong acids and other harmful components. If you use them on your sinks or bathtubs, they will destroy the enamel-based finish that sinks and bathtubs usually have. This type of damage usually requires replacement, creating more repair costs on your part. Note also that chemical cleaners have also been known to dissolve certain types of metal components in sinks or bathtubs, creating holes in brass traps. This will greatly affect your daily consumption of water in the long run. 

What can you use instead of chemical cleaners?

The reasons why you should not use chemical cleaners can be overwhelming, so we have listed some alternatives here that are more effective, affordable, and safer than chemical cleaners. 

1. White vinegar and baking soda- White vinegar is known to be acidic while baking soda is a natural cleaning product. Mixing these two ingredients creates an effective cleaning tool for getting rid of clogs overnight. 
2. Boiling water and powder detergent or dish soap- the hot water will liquefy the clog while the soap helps in flushing them down. 
3. White vinegar and lemon juice – This mixture cuts down grease and freshens the pipes, too! 

How MidCity Plumbers can help with clogged drains

If the homemade remedies do not match the stubborn clogged drains you have, don’t reach for chemical cleaners. Instead, hire a professional team of certified plumbing experts to get the job done. MidCity Plumbers is a reputable team of expert plumbers with the necessary tools and expertise for the job. Our efficient service includes reliable plumbing and drainage services completely right from the inspection through the final unclogging stages. Expert plumbers can efficiently get rid of clogging or other issues in a safer way. Our plumbing services are available in residential and commercial areas. We cover all your plumbing needs from leaks, clogs, to water heaters or drainage problems. Just contact us today at 📞 (778) 772-8676 and our team will be right on the way in the least amount of time! 

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How to Deal With Shower Drain Smells

Are you suspecting awful smells coming from your shower? We got you covered! While this is common in most homes, this could be prevented. If this is the case, you can just wash your showers clean. But other issues may not be easier to detect. At MidCity Plumbers, we want you to be equipped with dealing with these issues. In this blog, get to know about the causes of shower drain smells and what you can do to resolve them. 

Causes of shower drain smells 

P-trap Issue 

Most shower smells can be traced back to P-trap issues. A P-trap is a U-shaped section of pipe that dips down below the rest of your shower drain. P-traps block sewer gases from escaping into your restroom. It holds water to keep gases from sewer lines from getting through any shower or sink drains. If your P-trap is dry or dirty, chances are that you are also confronted with sewer smells. Make sure to check your P-traps regularly. If you don’t have the necessary tools to disassemble and clean your P-trap, call the nearest professional plumber to help you. 

Buildup of biofilm 

Bioflim is some sort of slime. Some even may look like molds. Biofilm forms from bacterial waste, so it’s no surprise that most shower smells can come from biofilm buildup. Bacteria love growing in a humid and moist environment like your showers. Make sure to have biofilm cleaned from your showers as early as possible as this also causes danger to your health, contributing to various diseases like Salmonella or E.coli. 

Mold growth 

Much like biofilm, mold growth is also a major culprit in contributing bad smells to your showers. Mold growth in your shower and your shower drain may lead to unpleasant odors. If the shower drain smells like mildew or worse than that, then you may have mold or biofilm growing inside your drain. Better have it cleaned by professionals for much safer removal of the mold as this can also pose health dangers if inhaled. 

What to do when you shower drain smells 

When you suspect that something smelling bad comes from your shower drain, the best thing to do is to contact a professional plumber expert to clean your shower and resolve the problem. However, there are times when a simple DIY can resolve shower smells. We also have provided here a brief list to help you when you are experiencing shower drain smells:

1. Clean your P-traps with baking soda and white vinegar
2. Use disinfectant products 
3. Assess any issues that may be traced back to internal problems such as leaking pipes, etc.
4. Don’t forget to clean the area around your drain
5. If you can, take out any debris that you think may lead to further contamination or clogging 

Tools and products you’ll need

To further clean and get rid of your shower smells, here are some tools that you can use: 

• Safe commercial shower and grout cleaner or a bleach-free cleaning solution
• Homemade mixed solutions like vinegar or baking soda 
• Extendable scrubber 
• An all-purpose brush 
• Shower spray bottle 

Steps to clean shower drain

1. To clean your P-traps, start by first pouring ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, letting it sit for around 15 minutes, then wash it down with ½ cup of white distilled vinegar. You can cover the drain with a stopper to let the chemical reaction work without having to smell most of it. 
2. For mold growth or biofilm build-up, use a brush or any other tool you think is necessary to break up the film and wipe it away by spraying the surface with a gentle cleaner. 
3. For molds or biofilms in your drain, first, remove the drain cover and clean it. Then, you can start scrubbing the areas with biofilms with your all-purpose brush and spray bottle with a cleanser. Make sure you have access to professional drain cleaners or cleaners recommended by the professionals for much safer and more efficient cleaning. 

When to contact a professional plumber for solutions 

If you think the shower smells are beyond your control, it’s time to let the professionals handle the issue. They have the right tools and expertise to deal with these kinds of problems. Plus, you get to save a lot of money as you prevent yourself from doing more harm than good in getting rid of shower smells. This is where our team comes in. MidCity Plumbers is a certified team of expert plumbers with the necessary tools and expertise for providing quality plumbing and cleaning services when necessary. Our efficient service includes plumbing and heating services completely right from the assessment through the final stages. We’ll get rid of the main causes of shower smell in the least amount of time and in a much safer way. 

If you are experiencing challenges in getting rid of blockages and smelly showers, contact MidCity Plumbers today. Our plumbing services are available in residential and commercial areas. We cover all your plumbing needs from leaks, clogs, to water heaters or any drainage problems. Just contact us at 📞 (778) 772-8676 and we can get to you as early as possible. 

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Getting an Excellent Plumbing Service

 Finding a plumbing service specialist might be easy, but meeting a plumbing expert is not a simple thing to do. For you to avoid committing the most common mistakes of choosing a terrible plumbing company specialist, you may want to consider several factors.

First and foremost, a good plumber must be dedicated to rendering good-quality plumbing services. Aside from ensuring that all your plumbing works appropriately, a good plumber must be prepared with the necessary tools and must quickly respond to plumbing emergencies, such as obstructed sewers or cracked pipes, in the most efficient way possible.

Moreover, an excellent plumbing company must be able to handle not only simple drain and plumbing problems, but they must also install and restore even the most complicated plumbing troubles.

In addition, make sure that your plumber is insured and is a holder of the State Contractors License Board (CSLB). This allows you to be confident that you are hiring a licensed plumber to deal with plumbing problems within your premises.

Moreover, bear in mind that hiring an unqualified and unregistered plumber may seem cheaper for you, but the truth is you may end up spending a larger amount of money as their incompetence results to unresolved plumbing issues, which may eventually necessitate you to pay more just so the problem can be completely fixed.

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