Plumbing expert warns against white vinegar to unblock drains or risk ‘costly repair bill’

Many homeowners may opt to use white vinegar and baking soda as a cheap and natural way to unblock drains.

Whilst this is recommended by many, Ricky Sharma, managing director at Engineering Real Results, has strongly warned against this.

According to the pro, using it regularly can lead to “corrosion” of the pipes and damage to the plumbing system.

Ricky said: “Many people turn to common home cleaning solution hacks such as baking soda and vinegar as a cheaper and more convenient way of doing household chores than purchasing an armoury of expensive cleaning products.

“There’s no doubt that this mixture can produce great results for a number of tasks around the home, but bear in mind that it is a strong chemical reaction.

“When the dilute acetic acid of vinegar combines with the sodium bicarbonate of baking soda, it foams up with a release of carbon dioxide gas, as well as water and other substances.

“While this may do a good job of dislodging dirt and grime in pipes, it can also do damage to the rubber seals and the pipework itself, especially in older plumbing systems.”

According to the expert, this can end up causing more damage than good, and lead to “costly” repair bills.

Instead, it is best to use a dedicated cleaning product that has been proven safe and effective to use.

If the blockage is particularly bad, it is best to call a local plumber for help to avoid causing damage.

Pipes in kitchens and bathrooms can become clogged over time with a range of substances including grease, dirt, food waste and hair.

The expert recommended cleaning drains every one or two weeks to ensure they continue to work smoothly.

There are also a number of items which should “never” be poured down the sink to avoid a blockage in the first place.

Ricky continued: “These include grease, eggshell fragments, coffee grounds, hair products and fibrous and starchy food fragments.

Clogged pipes will often present some telltale signs that homeowners should be on high alert for, including gurgling sounds and water draining slower than usual.

Red flags can also include stains around the drain, unpleasant smells and residue in the water.