This month with all the extra holiday festivities stirring things up in everyone’s kitchen, we thought it would be the perfect time to introduce a great preventative maintenance secret that our technicians love to use on drain lines, grease traps and septic tank systems: bacteria.  You are no doubt aware of chemical-based drain cleaners.  Maybe you’ve even used them before.  In the case of a slow or completely clogged sink, you pour the solution down the drain and the chemicals work to break down the blockage so that it will flow freely again.  What you may not be as aware of is the damage you can do to your plumbing system, the environment or a technician if they attempt to repair the drain when you use these chemical-based cleaners.   Chemicals are harsh and do not reserve their caustic nature for the clogs you send them after.  They breakdown everything else they come into contact with as well.

A great alternative to these cleaners are biologically engineered enzyme based solutions, which operate on natural principals to maintain the health of your drain lines, grease traps and septic systems.  Though they are not as widely advertised or as readily available as their chemical-based cousins, there are many brands to choose from.  Our favorite is BioOne.   It is safe, fast acting and easy to use.

Perhaps the very best thing about BioOne is that it is an environmentally responsible product approved by the EPA.  In fact it has met the EPA’s DfE challenge for biological drain line and septic system products by demonstrating a more positive human health and environmental profile.  BioOne’s liquid formula eliminates pre-mixing and its drain back bottle cap provides for accurate measurement to ensure the correct amount of treatment is added to the drain line or collection system.  Once it is added to the system it begins working immediately.  The bacteria cultures in the solution do not require a wake-up period like some other microbial products do.

One of the biggest differences between BioOne and a chemical drain treatment is how and when they are used.  BioOne is not only designed to clear a blocked drain.  It is also intended to be used regularly as part of your home’s preventative maintenance regimen to keep your drain lines healthy so that you avoid stoppages and clogged drains.  It will also act to breakdown the organic build-up in your drain lines, garbage disposal or septic system that contribute to odor.  BioOne applications are available as an in-home service administered by our technicians in cooperation with our drain line cleaning and stoppage services or in 64oz bottles that you can maintain and use on your own.  As always, our technicians will be happy to teach you about the product and help you determine the correct dosage and frequency of application for your system.