Boiling Water Down Drain
Pouring boiling water down your drains to tackle blockages might seem like a good idea, but when I asked a plumber if it really was, he strongly advised against it. Here's why, and what... Boiling water can damage the pipes under your kitchen sink.
Here's why you should never pour boiling water down a drain and what you should do instead. Learn why pouring boiling water down the drain may not be a good idea, and what alternatives you can try. Find out how boiling water can damage plastic pipes, and what types of pipes are safe for it.
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. Experts explain why you should never pour boiling water down the drain, the risks if you do, and what to do instead to avoid irreparable damage
But after hearing conflicting advice from plumbers, engineers, and everyday homeowners I wanted to understand whether pouring boiling water down the drain is actually helpful, or quietly damaging plumbing over time. Lets walk through what boiling water really does to your plumbing, why it matters more than you think, and what you should do instead. This isnt a myth, so lets get into it.
Boiling water, which reaches 212F (100C) at sea level, is a common home remedy for clearing a slow drain. While the immediate effect of pouring a kettle of this superheated liquid down a sink may seem benign, the practice carries significant risks to both the plumbing system and the user. Heres what really happens when you pour bacon grease down the drain followed by boiling water, thinking youre being responsible.
For about five seconds, everything looks greatthe grease liquefies and seems to disappear down the pipe. But your drain system isnt a straight shot to the sewer. Hot water travelling down the drain cools as it travels.
It won't melt it, unless - again - you have a jig hooked up where boiling hot water is drained down the pipe for prolonged time period, continuously.
