If you are like most homeowners, the first thing you think about when you have a backed up drain is what kind of drain cleaner you should try. However, many people don’t realize that drain cleaners often cause more problems than they solve. Before reaching for the nearest chemical, consider the following issues.

Commercial Cleaner

Commercial cleaners can be found at nearly any local supermarket and there are many different brands to choose from. It is therefore important to look at the ingredients before making a purchase. Many drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that might include pollutants. The long term effects of these toxic ingredients are detrimental to the environment, your health, and the insides of your pipes. Overly harsh chemicals can strip, corrode, and rust the metal of your pipes. This kind of damage weakens pipes and makes them susceptible to cracking. If you spring a leak, you will end up paying more than if you had just hired a plumber to unclog the drain for you.

Natural Cleaner

A more natural solution to clear your clogged drains is to use a natural, homemade drain cleaner. This recipe has been in existence for years and it is still popular because the fumes are not overbearing, and you do not need to worry about polluting the environment.

1. Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil and add half a lemon in
2. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the clogged drain
3. Dump 1 cup of white vinegar over the baking soda inside the drain
4. Let the mix foam for 20 minutes
5. Pour boiling water into drainpipe

If you still have problems with your clogged drain after you have tried the holistic method, then you should consider calling in an expert plumber. Skilled technicians have all the necessary tools to clean and unclog even the worst of drains. Call a local company that has the best deals for cleaning your drains.

 Thwart the Garden Hose Death Wish

 Garden hoses are a pretty cheap item but if you must buy two or three a year, the cost mounts up.  It’s not that they aren’t well-made – some are as tough as a truck tires, but they are self-destructive.  They dash in front of lawn mowers, sunbathe in the driveway, taunt the neighbor’s dog and exhibit any number of other risky behaviors that lead to rips, punctures and broken or flattened faucet or sprayer connections. 

Fortunately it is also cheap and easy to repair a hose as good as new; shorter perhaps, but just as good.

You will need a Phillips head screwdriver, a very sharp utility knife, and hose couplers like those pictured below. 

There are several different kinds of couplers and ends, and a few sizes.  Cut a ring out of the damaged part of the hose and take it with you to the hardware store to make sure you get the right fit.  The hose ends are either male (sprayer end of the hose) or female (faucet end) and can be used to replace a dented end or to reunite two pieces of a hose that has been cut or punctured.  The two-hose coupler will permanently mend the hose into a single piece.  Get some more simple plumbing tips from our San Diego plumbers.