Drain Cleaning
What official sources say about drain cleaning, and how to reach a local plumber by phone.
Safety first
Wear protective gear when using drain cleaners, including goggles and rubber gloves.
Drain cleaners that contain corrosive or caustic chemicals can cause pain, irritation, and burns when they come into contact with skin.
Why it happens
Seattle Public Utilities says grease may look like it washes away, but it cools and sticks inside pipes, creating blockages.
Seattle Public Utilities says food waste from garbage disposals can also clog pipes and cause sewer backups.
In Portland, OR, if a sewer pipe becomes plugged with wipes, garbage, debris, or grease, backups can occur.
Your options
Seattle Public Utilities says sewer backups need to be stopped and cleaned quickly to eliminate exposure to potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.
The combination of baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be strong enough to melt away tough drain clogs due to oil and grease.
In Portland, OR, if a sewer backs up into your home or business, it is best to call a plumber first to investigate the cause of the backup.
Safe steps you can take
Seattle Public Utilities says small amounts of oil and grease can be wiped up by paper towels or newspaper and placed in the compost.
Seattle Public Utilities says homeowners should put food waste into your compost bin and use sink strainers to catch food waste during dish washing.
In Portland, OR, disinfect all surfaces with a solution of one part household bleach to ten parts water.
How to choose a plumber
Advice from consumer protection agencies:
In Illinois, homeowners should request an estimate of the cost of work to be done and compare it to estimates from at least two other contractors.
In Illinois, homeowners should find out if complaints have been filed against the contractor by contacting the Attorney General's office, Better Business Bureau and local Chamber of Commerce.
In Texas, even with a reputable business and a sound written contract in place, you should not pay in full until the work is complete and you have inspected it yourself and found it satisfactory.
In Texas, homeowners should make sure everything promised to you is in the written contract.
In Illinois, plumbers are regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health and must be licensed by the IDPH to engage in business in Illinois.
If your state or locality has licensing laws, make sure the contractor's license is current.
Once you have narrowed your options, get written estimates from several firms.
Questions homeowners ask
Why does grease cause drain clogs?
Seattle Public Utilities says grease may look like it washes away, but it cools and sticks inside pipes, creating blockages.
Can food waste from garbage disposals clog pipes?
Seattle Public Utilities says food waste from garbage disposals can also clog pipes and cause sewer backups.
Related plumbing services
Sources
- Home Repair and Construction: How to Choose a Contractor - Illinois Attorney General
- Hiring a Contractor | Federal Trade Commission - Federal Trade Commission (2014)
- What's in Drain Cleaner? | Poison Control - Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center)
- Sewer Backups | Portland.gov - City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
- Fats, Oils, and Grease Clog Pipes - Utilities | seattle.gov - Seattle Public Utilities
- Side Sewer Backups - Utilities | seattle.gov - Seattle Public Utilities
- How to Avoid Home Improvement Scams | Office of the Attorney General - Texas Attorney General