If you are trying to clear a tricky drain clog, you might be tempted to try tipping boiling water down your sink. Touted as a hack and often a highly recommended method for unclogging a blocked drain, boiling water might seem like a quick fix; after all, it is cheap, simple, and eco-friendly, with no need for harsh chemicals, manual unblocking, or hiring specialist help. Let’s look at whether it is safe and whether there are any drawbacks.
Considerations before you pour
The biggest factor you need to consider before you go ahead is what is beneath your sink. Some pipes can withstand extremely high temperatures, such as an iron or copper pipe; others could bend, melt, or become weakened and damaged over time, leading to unexpected costs and potential damage to your home.
Types of pipe
An iron or copper pipe system can handle temperatures of over 1,000ºC, so boiling water won’t cause damage; however, the boiling water method is not a fix-all and can sometimes cause more harm than good, as grease or debris is simply pushed further down the system and eventually becomes even more difficult to unclog.
If you have PVC pipes, you will run into big problems. These pipes can only withstand temperatures of up to 60º, with CPVC and PEX pipes able to cope with temperatures of around 90º. With these pipes, the simple boiling water method could be disastrous, as your pipes could melt and become damaged, leading to leaks and costly repairs. In addition, studies show these types of pipes could even prove harmful to health. Switching PVC piping to a robust copper pipe instead, which is available from pipeline merchants such as https://watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems, could protect your system from hot water damage.
Is it safe?
Overall, the safety of this drain-unblocking hack largely depends on the type of pipes beneath your sink, but it isn’t always effective. A DIY method such as a drain snake could be both a safer and more effective way to bust a blockage.