What Do Plumbers Use to Clean Pipes? The Ultimate Guide

If you‘ve ever wrestled with a clogged drain or frustratingly slow-running sink, you know first-hand how inconvenient plumbing issues can be. Dirty pipes that are caked with years of gunk and mineral buildup lead to sluggish water flow and eventually, nasty clogged drains.

When simple solutions like a plunger or homemade baking soda/vinegar concoction don‘t seem to work, many homeowners understandably turn to those strong chemical drain cleaners you see on the shelves at any hardware store or grocery.

But what do professional plumbers use to really clear out the toughest clogs and keep pipes scum-free?

In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through the various tools and methods plumbers rely on to remove blockages, eliminate buildup, and maintain clean, free-flowing pipes. I‘ll also share tips to prevent clogs in the first place.

A Plumber‘s Go-To Tools for Pipe Cleaning

Before we dive into chemical solutions, let‘s look at some of the key physical tools plumbers have in their arsenal to deal with pesky clogs:

Plungers

The humble plunger is likely the first thing anyone thinks of when it comes to clearing simple clogs. This handy tool creates suction that helps dislodge blockages and allow them to pass through the pipes.

Plungers work best for clearing sinks, tubs, and other fixtures where you can form a tight seal over the drain. Quick plunging can remove obstructions like hair and loose debris in bathroom and kitchen sinks.

Augers/Drain Snakes

For tougher clogs deeper in the pipes, plumbers often use augers, also called drain or plumber‘s snakes. The long coiled metal wire can be fed down into pipes up to 100 feet to reach blockages a plunger can‘t.

Special hooks or blades on the end grab and dislodge stubborn gunk. Powered augers that rotate the cable make it even more effective at cutting through and pulling out jams. Using an auger takes some practice, but it’s an essential tool for professional plumbers.

Drain Cleaning Machines

High-powered rotor drain cleaning machines utilize water jets, blades, or cables to scrub away years of accumulated grease, soap scum, hair, and food particles lining pipe walls. The motors spin at high rpm to really scour away gunk.

These industrial machines can reach deep blockages that standard augers have trouble accessing. Renting a drain cleaning machine is an option if you‘re tackling extensive DIY pipe cleaning.

Chemical Cleaners Used By Plumbers

While the above physical tools work to break up stubborn clogs, chemical solutions are used to dissolve the greasy sludge, soap residue, oils, fats and mineral deposits that gradually build up on pipe walls over time.

Used correctly, chemical drain cleaners available at hardware stores can clear or prevent clogs. But they also come with certain risks if misused. Here are some common chemical solutions plumbers turn to:

Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide)

This potent alkaline breaks down proteins, fats, oils and greases very quickly via a chemical reaction called saponification. It’s an active ingredient in many commercial pipe cleaning solutions.

Caustic soda effectively clears organic material clogs caused by grease, hair, food particles, etc. But in high concentrations, this corrosive chemical can burn skin, eyes and lungs. Plumbers are very cautious when handling sodium hydroxide, wearing gloves and eye protection.

Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid)

Also known as HCL, muriatic acid helps remove mineral buildup like limescale. How? The hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium and magnesium compounds like limescale and rust. This reaction dissolves the bonds holding these minerals together, allowing them to be rinsed away.

Since the fumes and liquid can burn and damage eyes, skin, and lungs, plumbers are extremely careful when using muriatic acid. It must be diluted properly before use.

Commercial Drain Cleaners

Liquid Plumber, Drano, and similar products available at most grocery and hardware stores contain sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, or bleach to break down all types of clogs.

But many professional plumbers don’t recommend relying too heavily on these caustic cleaners, for good reason. More on that soon!

Removing Stubborn Mineral Buildup

Even if your drains aren‘t fully clogged, mineral deposits like limescale and calcium, grease, and plain old dirt can gradually build up in pipes over years of use.

This buildup accumulating on pipe walls will slowly constrict water flow. Left unchecked, it can eventually cause major blockages.

Here are a few methods plumbers use to remove stubborn buildup and keep water flowing freely:

Hydro-Jetting

This technique uses high-powered streams of water blasted through pipes to scour and clean the interiors. Hydro-jetting is especially effective at removing years of thick lime and rust accumulation, heavy grease or soap buildup, and other debris that might withstand chemical cleaners.

Renting an industrial electric hydro-jetter is an option for DIYers tackling a full pipe cleaning. Plumbers often use truck-mounted jetter units carrying 10-15 gallons of water heated up to 210°F to really blast away gunk.

Mechanical Descaling

Handheld power augers with wire brushes or metal scraper attachments can help scrub away mineral scaling and residue.

For small pipes and fixtures like bathroom sink drains, simply shaking some coarse sand or rice within the pipe can provide an abrasive scrubbing action to help dislodge buildup.

Chemical Soaking

For removing more delicate mineral deposits like limescale and calcium buildup, simply soaking the affected pipes in a chemical descaling solution is often easiest.

White vinegar, CLR, and specialty scale-removing chemicals work by breaking down the compounds via an acid reaction. Given time to work, the scale is dissolved and easily rinsed away.

Patience and allowing time for the reaction is key. This may mean soaking pipes overnight or repeating the process.

Clearing Different Types of Clogs

Not all clogs and blockages are created equal. Here are some tips for getting rid of some of the most common pipe-clogging culprits:

Hair

The sodium hydroxide in Liquid Plumber and similar alkaline drain cleaners does a great job dissolving hair and rendering it removable.

Using a hair strainer in shower and bathroom sinks canTrap hair before it enters pipes. Monthly drain maintenance helps prevent buildup.

Grease & Oil

Getting rid of grease clogs starts with prevention – avoid pouring fats, oils and grease down drains. Wiping plates of food residue instead of rinsing helps a lot.

For existing grease clogs, boiling water helps melt and clear the grease for draining. A mix of dish soap and hot water will also liquefy grease.

Soap Scum

Soap and shampoo residue inevitably builds up inside drains over time. Periodically pouring very hot water serves to melt the gunky scum so it can wash away.

Alternatively, pouring a mix of baking soda and vinegar down the drain creates a bubbly chemical reaction that helps scrub away soap scum.

Toilet Paper & Wipes

Toilet paper is designed to rapidly break down when wet, but many so-called “flushable” wipes don’t degrade at all. This leads to major pipe obstructions.

A closet auger can hook and dislodge Accumulated wipes and paper. Never flush wipes, even if labeled flushable.

Why Avoid Heavy Use of Liquid Plumber & Draino?

While commercial chemical drain cleaners appear like an easy fix, there are some very good reasons plumbers typically warn against heavy reliance on caustic cleaners like Liquid Plumber and Drano:

• Over time, the corrosive ingredients (sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide) can erode metal pipes and rubber gaskets/seals. This leads to leaks and damage.

• Mixing different cleaners together or with other chemicals can produce toxic fumes, causing serious injury. Never mix cleaners!

• Chemicals cannot fully dissolve certain clogs, which then get stuck deeper in the pipes, requiring extensive removal.

• Products like Drano contain lye and sulfuric acid which can burn eyes or skin if splashed during use.

• Caustic cleaners are not suitable for certain fixtures and pipes, like marble, chrome, and garbage disposals. Misuse damages plumbing.

For really difficult clogs or extensive buildup, calling a professional ensures the issue is resolved safely, saving you money in the long run.

Prevention: Stopping Clogs Before They Start

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And that definitely goes for maintaining clean, clog-free plumbing. Here are some tips:

Use Drain Screens and Strainers

Installing sink drain screens or stoppers catches hair, food scraps, and other debris before it even enters pipes. Regularly emptying these prevents buildup.

Avoid Pouring Grease and Fat Down Drains

Allowing grease and oils to collect leads to clogged drains. Scrape plates and wipe pans before rinsing. Dispose of oils and fats in the trash.

Only Flush Toilet Paper

Despite packaging claims, wipes and other paper products don’t break down like toilet paper. They accumulate and cause clogs.

Periodic Preventative Pipe Cleaning

Make pipe cleaning part of your regular home maintenance routine. Once a month, flush with hot water and baking soda. Twice a year, use a chemical cleaner to keep pipes clear.

Know When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried everything and clogs persist, don’t keep struggling! Call a reliable local plumber to ensure the job is done right.

Signs You Need a Professional Plumber

As a homeowner, it’s smart to know when a drain problem needs professional equipment and expertise. Here are some red flags:

• Water drains very slowly despite plunging and snaking
• Multiple drains in your home are clogged
• You have a sewage backup or flow from toilets/tubs/sinks
• Repeated clogs continue after chemical drain cleaners
• Your home has older galvanized steel pipes prone to buildup
• DIY efforts have been unsuccessful

Many plumbers offer home plumbing maintenance plans to prevent problems. For serious plumbing issues, don‘t waste time – hire a pro!

Conclusion

I hope this detailed overview gives you insight into the many tools and techniques professional plumbers use to keep pipes clean and water flowing freely.

While chemical drain cleaners have their place for occasional use, they should not become your go-to solution, as extensive reliance on these caustic products often causes more harm than good.

Sticking to regular preventative cleaning and calling in a plumber for serious clogs or pipe damage ensures your plumbing lasts and avoids expensive repairs down the road.