Can Baking Soda and Vinegar Damage Pipes?

Actually pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar won’t damage your pipes but the real question is can baking soda and vinegar help clear a slow draining FOG (Fatty, oil, Greasy) clogged pipe? The answer is it depends on the severity of the clog, basically the chemistry behind vinegar and baking soda is that it creates a bubbly visual scene but will not help unclog a drain caused by fatty substances. It comes down to a few main reasons one being baking soda and vinegar are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base meaning that they both neutralize each other and in return create a salt none of which are a helping agent to scrub down any build up from pipes. I know we both have been lied to. Now forget vinegar and baking soda, I have an alternative method that sounds too good to be true, but who would have thought this method would actually work. It’s easy and it won’t break your bank, it won’t even cost you a dime.

Here’s a quick and inexpensive way to treat a clogged pipe once you have identified the problem you may proceed to DIY your clogged drain. Only proceed if you know your pipe has a build up of greasy fatty substances or you seem to notice it is draining slower than usual. If you are unaware of your pipe situation I’d advise you to give a licensed plumber a call before taking matters into your own hands, it’s best to speak with a professional about what your next steps should be. But if you are interested in learning a quick and easy way to unclog your drain you’ll only need 2 items, a pot and BOILING water. 

What you’ll want to do is fill a medium to large pot with water and allow it to boil on the stove. You’ll want to clear the sink of any dishes so you can have an empty area to pour the hot water in. Once the water has been brought to a boil remove from heat and bring the pot to the sink and carefully pour the water into the drain. What you’ll notice is that the hot water will make its way down the pipe a lot faster than what it used to and at the same time remove any buildup on the sides as it will slowly start to detach itself. If you don’t notice a difference in the clogging repeat this step again. Boil more water and pour down the drain. If this method was not able to unclog your drain don’t worry you can always invest in a safe drain cleaner that wont damage your pipes or emit hazardous fumes when used. If pouring boiling water down your drain did not work, a drain cleaning liquid will not work either. A clogged drain is an issue that should be resolved quickly as they become a nuisance, you’re not out of options yet. You can always call a plumber, oftentimes plumbing companies offer free in person estimates to check out the issue and together you can agree on a reasonable price. Having a plumber come to your home for a free estimate is an added bonus as many workers charge upwards to $60-$200 for an in person estimate just to tell you something you already knew! But you already knew that so don’t spend that extra fee! And as always when they come to give you your free estimate, remember you’re not obligated to hire them you have many options. Only pay for a service once you’re satisfied with their pricing and have hired them to unclog your drain.

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