For this Phoenix plumbing tip, we have an Earth Day Question. What goes down your drain? What you send down your drain, may put a big drain on our planet!
Celebrate Earth Day by watching what goes down your drain
Very few industries get to see their direct impact on the environment, but the plumbing industry has always had great respect for our Mother Earth and the phoenix plumbing industry has great respect for the quality of our water and our drains in the greater Pheonix area.
What comes out of your pipes, goes back to the Earth – plumbing is the conduit of either good or bad environmental practices. The best part is that everyone can make small changes that jointly, will have a big impact on our environment.
Consider your drains, for example. Think of all that goes down the drain with the water, both in your bathroom and kitchen drains. No wonder they tend to clog up!
But have you considered the harmful chemicals that we then use to unclog the drain? Lye or acid or other powerful chemicals can ultimately affect our health, the wastewater stream, and even the pipes within our homes.
It’s a safe bet that all the chemicals that enter our drain system impact the overall health and well being of our community – plants, animals and humans.
At Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber, we have a Phoenix plumbing tip to help you care for your drains and for our Earth. We suggest the green alternative to traditional chemicals, BioBen. This product safely enters the wastewater and does not leave residual chemicals. You’re welcome to stop by our office and get one for your home.
Some other Phoenix plumbing tips to help you care for your drains if the clog is small:
- Plunge it! Start with a plunger, sometimes it’s just a matter of moving some lodged items along. Repeat several times to release the clog and free the drain.
- Baking soda! – only if the water is not backing up to your sink or tub, you can try an old-fashioned baking soda remedy. Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by a few cups of boiling water. This will create a mild chemical but safe reaction that can help to move things along.
- Vinegar! – Did you ever make an exploding volcano for a school project? If you did, then you know that a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is powerful. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, and follow it with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Cover the drain if possible. Let set for a few minutes. Pour a few cups of boiling water down the drain to flush out the clog. The vinegar/baking soda combination breaks down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the drain to run free. NOTE: do not use this method if any commercial drain opener has been used or is present in the sink or drain.
Of course, the best way to make sure your plumbing is safe is to call a professional. All of our plumbers at Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber will make sure that the solution we offer is Earth friendly!
Happy Earth Day!
