How does COVID- 19 or the Corona Virus impact the economy?  In particular, how does the virus impact a plumbing company like Duncan Plumbing in Waxahachie Texas? Make no mistake, “We will see an increase in drain clogs with a shortage of toilet paper” , says Patrick Moore of Duncan Plumbing Solutions.

The shortage of toilet paper is reaching all the way to Duncan Plumbing, best plumber Waxahachie as shelves are empty of cabinet staples like rice & other dry good and— alas, toilet paper? Case in point, with all the media hype about the Corona virus pandemic along with President Trump’s banning flights from Europe, the latest commodity affected in the corona virus pandemic is – toilet paper? Public fears over a disruption in supply chain along with news on social media are causing the TP panic.  Australian reports show 192,000 rolls in just 1 hour. That said, a toilet paper buying frenzy is happening across the world, which is causing temporary shortages of toilet paper.

In short, that means drain clogs.

When people can’t find toilet paper, they naturally resort to wipes and paper towels. Wipes & paper towels simply do not dissolve like toilet tissue. That said, the wipes & paper towels will build up and cause drain clogs. Wipes & towels on top of a problem sewer line means a sure drain clog. If you already have a problem sewer line including things like tree roots or a broken sewer line, these items get caught up and cause a backed up sewer.

Manufacturers of baby wipes often tout their product is ‘flushable’. However, plumbers will tell you there is no such thing as a flushable baby wipe. “When drain cleaning, we pull out baby wipes all the time”.  These cause a backed up drain and clog sewer pipes.  Simply put, baby wipes don’t break down the same way toilet paper breaks down.  Likewise, paper towels will clog your drain when flushed.  Baby wipes & towels are one of the most common causes of sewer backups next to feminine products, which are the most common clog culprit.

One common myth is bleach will dissolve clogs. This is simply not the case. Bleach is not a solvent and basically turns to salt in water so you’ll do little more than shaking a salt shaker at the clog.

Over the counter methods of drain cleaning are available to consumers. When we get calls at Duncan Plumbing, consumers already tried the more common over the counter chemical treatments. We’ve seen evidence that these treatments do little more than push the clog down the line & gel or sludge moves further down the line. We use drain cleaning machines that pull back or cut through the blockage. Never the less, sometimes it is necessary to follow our powerful machines with more potent chemical treatments that include Sodium Hydroxide, Lye and other chemicals not readily available in stores. One of our favorites is Thrift. 

YES! One way to clear kitchen drains is with old fashioned boiling water.  You can use this method if you have a slow draining tub or shower clog. Many times, soap and surfactants build up in your drain lines over time, causing slow drains. Be sure to clear any hair or debris from around the drain first. Boiling water will not clear drains if you have sewer problems like a broken sewer line or tree roots. However, a flush with boiling water can clear slow drains due to trapped grease in the line with minimal effort. Add a little vinegar for extra clearing power.

Baking soda & vinegar followed by good old fashioned boiling water is a good home remedy for minor drain clog.

As we see the shortage of toilet paper, we are sure to see an increase in drain clogs from flushing things like paper towels & baby wipes.  The message is simply, don’t flush anything but toilet paper down the drain. Other tips for keeping drains clear are here. If you find yourself needing a plumber for a backed up drain, clogged drain or backed up sewer pipes, contact Duncan Plumbing Solutions, plumber near me.

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