Best drain cleaners near Athens, NY

A small amount of diluted bleach is okay to pour down a garbage disposal. As part of your weekly garbage disposal maintenance, use 1 teaspoon of bleach with your concoction of ice cubes and lemon peels. Turn on the disposal and run the water until the blades chop up the ice cubes.

Any more bleach in your disposal can harden oils and greases in your drain, which can cause problems. Always wear gloves when working with bleach, and know that you really don’t need bleach at all—vinegar, baking soda, salt, and ice should do the trick.

No. You should dispose of all oil-based finishing products through a local hazardous waste program. Not only can oil-based finishes be hazardous for the environment if disposed of in the sink, but they can cause clogs in your pipes and stop up your drains. Most municipal garbage or waste disposal companies have a specific location or pick-up schedule for hazardous materials, so that’s your best bet to get rid of excess finishing products.

Ever wonder what might cause your outdoor spigot to lose water flow? It's not as complicated as one might think. Something as simple as a clogged or leaky pipe could be the culprit. Some other causes are corrosion of the pipes or lack of water pressure coming from your street.

Bleach—even diluted bleach—is not always the safest option for cleaning your drains. With a high pH, bleach can be highly corrosive to many types of pipes, especially when used regularly. When mixed with household cleaners and organic waste, it can also create dangerous chemicals. Remember to use proper protective equipment and ventilation when dealing with bleach.