Introduction
No matter what condition your physical pipes are in, they will eventually run slow for any number of reasons. Whether you are experiencing an issue with home or commercial pipes, a clogged drain can be an incredibly frustrating situation. When you discover that a drain in your business has become slow-running or clogged, addressing it quickly can keep a minor inconvenience from turning into a major repair project. At Advanced Pipe Repair, we take a great amount of pride in addressing every unique commercial plumbing scenario. When you call, we’ll be there quickly.
Reasons Pipes Become Clogged
Reasons Pipes Become Clogged
While no two pipe systems are designed exactly alike, the same thing can be said about the ways that pipes become clogged. The uniqueness of each pipe system is a factor, but it also comes down to the type of drain being clogged.
Kitchen and break room sinks often become clogged due to excessive oils, greases, and fats. Not all of these substances should be introduced into sewer systems. The same can be said about food and cooking portions–items like coffee grounds and heavy starches like potatoes can easily clog the break room sink or immobilize a garbage disposal.
In bathroom fixtures, toilets can become clogged from excessive use and from improperly flushed products. While many businesses will provide flushable wipes for bathroom use, flushable wipes lead to dangerous clogs deeper in the sewer system. Toilets will overflow and cause significant risks to bathroom floors that need to be addressed immediately.
Drain Cleaning Overview
Drain Cleaning Overview
With these common reasons in mind, it’s time to take a closer look at why regular drain cleanings are beneficial. While calling in a professional service for serious concerns is the best idea, handling routine maintenance in-house can maximize efficiency and manage costs. There are a variety of ways to address routine drain cleanings, both naturally and with heavy-duty chemicals.
Natural Drain Cleaning
When it comes to natural drain cleaning, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Whenever possible, using these and similar natural cleaning solutions can address clogs in your commercial pipes without causing corrosive damage. In each of the five suggestions below, the materials used are commonly available at home. The downside of using the solutions is that they may take additional time or multiple attempts to be successful.
- Baking Soda & Vinegar
Pour a ½ cup of baking soda and a ½ cup of vinegar before plugging the drain immediately. Let the mixture work together for an hour. Once the hour has passed, open the drain and pour boiling water down the drain. It should clear the clog quickly. If not successful the first time, try it again.
- Baking Soda & Lemon
Pour a ½ cup of baking soda and a ½ cup of lemon juice before plugging the drain immediately. Let the mixture work together for an hour. Once the hour has passed, open the drain and pour boiling water down the drain. It should clear the clog quickly. If not successful the first time, try it again. Using lemon juice instead of vinegar will smell better.
- Baking Soda & Salt
Pour a ½ cup of table salt and a ½ cup of baking soda before plugging the drain immediately. Let the mixture work together for half an hour. Once the time has passed, open the drain and pour boiling water down the drain. It should clear the clog quickly. If not successful the first time, try it again. If it’s a particularly troublesome clog, you can let the mixture sit overnight before clearing it.
- Baking Soda, Salt, & Cream of Tartar
Pour a ½ cup of baking soda, a ½ cup of salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar into a sealable container. Shake the jar and pour half of the jar’s contents into the drain before plugging the drain immediately. Let the mixture work together for an hour. Once the time has passed, open the drain and introduce running tap water down the drain. It should clear the clog quickly. If not successful the first time, try it again. You can use the second half of the jar’s contents for a second attempt.
- Salt, Borax, & Vinegar
Pour a ¼ cup of salt, a ¼ cup of salt, and a ½ cup of vinegar into the drain. Pour boiling water into the drain and plug it quickly. Let the mixture work together for an hour. Once the time has passed, open the drain and run more boiling water through the drain to clear the solution. As with the other methods, you can certainly attempt it again.
Professional Cleaning
If the homemade or natural cleaning processes aren’t successful or if the clog is unreachable, don’t hesitate to contact a professional team. When you contact APR, our team will arrive quickly to identify and address your drain problems. Whenever possible, we recommend scheduling a pipe inspection annually to monitor issues that can lead to current or future problems. Doing so can take care of smaller problems before they become more costly.
About Advanced Pipe Repair
About Advanced Pipe Repair
With over 25 years of industry experience, Advanced Pipe Repair has solved many complicated commercial piping issues. The team at APR is assembled of the best of the best experts in addressing these jobs. As a small business ourselves, we understand how important it is for your pipes to flow correctly. We believe that keeping your pipes in optimal condition keeps your business profitable. Don’t waste a moment with drain problems. Contact the Advanced Pipe Repair team today!