Hi Everyone!

I’m Ti Sutherland, Co-Owner & Master Plumber for Sutherland Plumbing in Portland, Oregon.  Here at Sutherland Plumbing, we strive to be the Portland Metro area’s #1 family-owned plumbing service.  But that’s not all – at Sutherland Plumbing we understand the importance for our customers to keep their plumbing systems running smoothly and efficiently all year-round.

So it’s in the spirit of “shared knowledge” that I present a reminder from my column, “Ti’s Tips” :

Ti’s Tips Reminder – Oh no, Clogged Drains!

The use of so-called “liquid drain cleaners” or openers is discouraged! There is NO marvel of design in these products. Most are made of highly caustic acids that only serve to dissolve, eat and destroy anything in their path including your plumbing pipes. Some even go as far as to claim “safe for all pipes” even if the results from using these products are temporary at best. You be the judge.

Drains clog for the most part as a result of grease, fats, oils and other matter accumulating inside the pipe.  In order to CLEAN the drain one must scour the inside with proper equipment and knowledge.  This is commonly referred to as snaking or “rootering” the drain.  There is a big difference between “CLEANING” the drain as opposed to “OPENING” the drain.  Baking soda and vinegar?  Use at your own risk.  Those items work best when baking or cooking food and are wasted when poured down the drain!  Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Hi Everyone!

I’m Ti Sutherland, Co-Owner & Master Plumber for Sutherland Plumbing in Portland, Oregon.  Here at Sutherland Plumbing, we strive to be the Portland Metro area’s #1 family-owned plumbing service.  Our customers receive top-quality work from technicians who are always 100% drug-free.  But that’s not all.  At Sutherland Plumbing we understand the importance for our customers to keep their plumbing systems running smoothly and efficiently all year-round.

So it’s in the spirit of “shared knowledge” that I present reminders from my column – “Ti’s Tips” :

Ti’s Tips Reminder – Oh no, Clogged Drains!

The use of so-called liquid drain cleaners or openers is discouraged! There is NO marvel of design in these products. Most are made of highly caustic acids that only serve to dissolve, eat and destroy anything in their path including your plumbing pipes. Some even go as far as to claim “safe for all pipes” even if the results from using these products are temporary at best. You be the judge. Drains clog for the most part as a result of grease, fats, oils and other matter accumulating inside the pipe. In order to CLEAN the drain one must scour the inside with proper equipment and knowledge. This is commonly referred to as snaking or “rootering” the drain. There is a big difference between “CLEANING” the drain as opposed to “OPENING” the drain. Baking soda and vinegar? Use at your own risk. Those items work best when baking or cooking food and are wasted when poured down the drain!  Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Bleach kills bacteria, right? Would you drink bleach to cure a bacterial infection? No, of course not – that’s crazy!! (Not to mention extremely dangerous and life threatening!) A trip to a licensed, qualified doctor and a prescription is more like it! Think of this analogy next time you consider pouring liquid or powdered drain cleaners/openers down your pipes. There is NO engineering marvel behind most of these products!  Many are just made up of caustic & corrosive acids and then placed inside a container with pretty pictures of sparkling clean pipes. Take it from a licensed, experienced plumber that has witnessed years of destruction caused by these “over the counter” products.  The pictures below are probably what your drain pipes look like post “treatment” with these so-called liquid drain “cleaners.”

Don’t make your plumbing system even worse with “over the counter” products. Call (503) 719-4015 and have the professionals at Sutherland Plumbing inspect and clean your drains & pipes. Call Today!

Drains clog over time similar to how an artery in a heart might. See below:

Don’t make your pipes & drains even worse with “over the counter” products. Call (503) 719-4015 and have the professionals at Sutherland Plumbing inspect and clean your drains & pipes. Call Today!

There’s no replacement for a little “elbow-grease,” proper drain cleaning equipment and a technician trained on how to use it. The build-up inside the drain must be physically removed and/or cleaned-out by mechanical means (cabled or snaked). Pouring acid into the drain may “burn” a small opening and cause the drain to flow again – However the results are temporary (at best!) and the damage is irreversible. Always hire a licensed, qualified, professional plumber to inspect and correctly clean your drains & pipes. Get it done right the first time!