We’ve all been there, a clogged drain, a backlog of water that has left us desperately searching for solutions. Many people will at some point pour boiling water down the drain in hopes of both clearing clogs, and disinfecting the drain.
It’s simple, and it can be effective, but should you really be pouring boiling water down the drain?
In this article, we’ll talk about why it can be so tempting to pour boiling water down the drain. We’ll also talk about what this does to your drainage system, as well as things you may not have considered, and potential drawbacks of doing so.
Let’s get into it.
Benefits of Pouring Boiling Water Down the Drain
Let’s begin by saying, not all drains are designed to, or will withstand hot temperatures, including boiling water.
However, some drains, including metallic drains will be able to withstand boiling temperatures. In this case, there are some instances in which it is useful to pour boiling water down the drain.
Dissolves Grease and Soap Scum
Grease and soap scum is a common culprit when it comes to blocking drains, especially kitchen drains. Boiling water helps to loosen and melt fats and soap scum that can accumulate and coat the drains, eventually blocking them almost completely.
Imagine your kitchen sink is starting to drain slowly. Fats from food can adhere to the sides of the pipes and start to attract other food, leading to blockage. Boiling water can melt these fats, helping the water to clear the blockage.
This method works best on drains which are only just starting to become clogged, to prevent them from clogging further. Once fully clogged, boiling water is unlikely to be able to flush the contents through the drain, and may result in a worse blockage than before.
Kills Bacteria and Germs
Boiling water is a great natural disinfectant. It is able to kill bacteria, as well as odor causing microbes and mildew that can contribute to foul smell, and puts your family at risk of food contamination.
Hygiene is especially important in kitchen drains, that handle the washing of your food, dishes and hands. Using boiling water on metallic sinks and drains is a great natural sanitizing method.
Simple and Accessible
Using boiling water to loosen drain blockages is as easy as popping the kettle on. This easily accessible method is great for those on a budget, as it saves money on expensive chemical cleaners. Using building water requires no special tools or equipment, making it great for those opting for a cost-effective and natural cleaning method.
Potential Risks and Drawbacks
Whilst it can be tempting to pour boiling water down the drain, there are many instances in which this may damage your drain, and result in recurring blockages down the line.
Damage to Pipes
Whilst it may not be initially apparent, building water can damage many pipes, including PVC and metallic pipes. Boiling water can warp pipes, loosen joints and melt fixtures, resulting in expensive repairs in the future.
1. PVC Pipes
PVC pipes are the most common types of pipes used in modern day housing. These pipes are vulnerable to temperatures over 80 degrees Celsius. Above this temperature, boiling water can slowly melt, and deform the pipe.
Boiling water can also dissolve the glue that holds the PVC joints together. This means that your pipes can become prone to cracks and leaks over time.
Repeated exposure to boiling water can result in costly repairs in your pipes.
2. Metal Pipes
Whilst metal itself can withstand higher temperatures than PVC pipes, they are prone to expanding and contracting, as temperatures both rise and fall. What this means is the joints between the pipes can loosen over time, slowly making your pipes prone to leakage.
Additionally, gaskets and seals are usually more prone to the extreme temperatures of boiling water, and can result in gradual degradation and leaks over time.
3. Worsening Clogs
Whilst it sounds counterintuitive, using boiling water to try and unclog a drain, can actually make the problem worse.
Boiling water can cause parts of the blockage to dissolve, pushing it along the drain. However, this can result in it becoming lodged in a bend, worsening the problem, especially if the clogs are made of solid materials such as hair or food debris.
Clogs made of fat can also melt, before reforming down the drain, causing the problem to persist.
Other culprits can include:
- Hair: In bathroom sinks in particular, hair can become more tangled with heat, causing the clog to lodge itself more steadily in the drain
- Coffee grounds: Coffee grounds can clump together when exposed to heat, resulting in a clog that is firmer, and harder to remove
- Pasta and starches: Pasta, potatoes and other food that contains starches become sticky and take on hot water, resulting in sturdier attachment of the clog to your drain
Safety Hazards
There are some real risks to using boiling water to clear out your sinks. Burns, whether from the water splashing back on your hands, or steam injuring your hands and face while pouring are common sources of injuries and should not be underestimated.
If you do decide to pour boiling water down the drain, it is important to do so slowly and carefully, from a close distance, to avoid any splash back. Wearing gloves, long sleeves and keeping your face away from the steam can help minimize your burning risk.
Dos and Don’ts of Pouring Boiling Water Down the Drain
Boiling water can be effective for minor clogs, but using it improperly can lead to serious issues with your plumbing. Here are the best practices and common mistakes to avoid when using boiling water to unclog drains.
Do’s
- Use for Minor Clogs: If you are noticing that the water in the sink is draining slower than before, you may be able to pour boiling water down metal drains in order to loosen grease or soap scum. Whilst it can also be used as a preventative measure, it should only be done occasionally, to prevent the development of leakages in the pipes.
- Pour Slowly and Gradually: Pouring hot water down the drain slowly, and carefully protects you from splash back and burns. Pouring it in small batches will also allow the water to work its way through the pipe gradually, preventing shocking the pipes, and keeps the clog moving down the drain, and out.
- Follow Up with Cold Water: Flushing the drain with cold water will help to solidify any remaining material, especially soap scum and grease, and keep it from moving down the drain, instead of reforming and adhering back onto the pipe’s walls. Keep the water running for at least 2 minutes to flush out any remaining debris.
- Take Safety Precautions: If you decide to pour boiling water down the sink, make sure to use a kettle. This will allow you to pour the water slowly and in a controlled manner, making it both more safe, and effective. Use gloves, protective eye equipment and keep your face away from the steam.
Don’ts
- Use on Severe Clogs or Fully Clogged Drains: Using boiling water to try and dislodge a full blockage can often worsen the problem, as it pushes the clog further down into the drain where it is more difficult to clear. This is especially true for solid clogs which are made of food scraps and hair for example.
- Pour on Porcelain or Ceramic: Porcelain and ceramic is not designed to withstand boiling temperatures, and can result in cracking if exposed to building water. In order to avoid this issue, pour the water directly into the drain, avoiding as much of the surrounding sink as possible.
- Mix with Other Chemicals: Do not mix boiling water with any other agents, such as cleaning products and bleach. This can cause harmful reactions that can steam, and when inhaled is extremely dangerous for your health.
- Overuse: Overusing this method results in degradation of the seals and pipes over time, leading to expensive leaks and damage.
Alternatives to Boiling Water
If you’re hesitant about using boiling water or dealing with sensitive pipes, there are safer and equally effective alternatives that can help clear your drains. These methods won’t damage your pipes and can tackle tough clogs efficiently.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar offers a safe and effective way to clear your drains. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow this with a cup of white vinegar. Then quickly cover the drain. You should hear a fizzing, as the two react, and breakdown clogs on its way out. Follow this by flushing the sink with cold water, after about half an hour.
Enzymatic Cleaners
Enzyme based cleaners help to break down organic matter stuck in pipes. It digests natural clogs without damaging the pipes, or ecosystem.
Plunger or Drain Snake
Stubborn clogs, or full blockages often benefit from mechanical means of removal. The most common methods are plungers, or drain snakes. Both work by physically pushing the blockage out. These should be used until the blockage is removed, and if often best followed by a cleaner to remove the remaining debris.
Dish Soap and Hot Water
Using a mixture of dish soap and hot, but not boiling water, and slowly pouring it down the drain can help loosen clogs made of grease, allowing water to flow through again.
When to Use Hot Water (Not Boiling)
While boiling water can sometimes be too harsh, hot water is a safer option for routine maintenance and minor clogs. Here’s when you should stick to using hot water rather than boiling water to protect your plumbing.
- Routine Maintenance: Regularly flushing your drains with hot tap water can help to dissolve grease, soap scum and solid debris and flush it down the drain. This is a gentler method that can present clog formation in the first place.
- Minor Clogs: Minor clogs can often be dislodged using hot water, dish soap, or other gentle cleansers.
How to Prevent Clog Formation
Preventing clog formation is much easier than tackling a clog that has already formed. This reduces the need to drastic measures like boiling water that can damage your pipes over time.
Dispose of Oils and Grease Properly
Although tempting, pouring oils, grease and melted butter down the drain often causes clogs, as they solidify in the drain and attract debris to stick to it.
Avoid Flushing Non-Biodegradable Items
Products such as wipes, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the drain, and will almost certainly cause blockages that are extremely difficult to unclog.
Use Drain Covers or Hair Catchers
Drain covers and hair catchers are great preventative measures which are cheap and effective to use both in the kitchen and bathroom. They stop hair and food debris from going down the drain, blocking it.
Perform Regular Drain Maintenance
Regularly flushing your drains with natural cleaners such as hot water or baking soda and vinegar help to keep your drains free of debris, and frustrating clogging.
Final Words
Before pouring boiling water down your drains, there are some things to keep in mind. First, boiling water should not go down PVC drains, that can easily warp and distort over time, making blockages worse and leading to leaks over time. Secondly, it should be done safely, and infrequently, for small clogs or for maintenance, rather than regularly.
If you are having trouble with your drain clogging, it is important to clear it using safe means, such as drain snakes or plungers, and use natural methods to maintain the water flow, such as hot water, baking soda/vinegar and enzyme cleaners.
If you still find yourself with drainage issues, seeking professional help is a great investment as it ensures your drains remain free, and protects you from costly repairs down the line.
