Many people use boiling water to clean the sink or shower drains in the bathroom when there is an interruption of water flow due to the accumulation of debris.
Can You Put Boiling Water in Bathroom Sink? Do not put boiling water in the bathroom sink because it can cause cracks in the drain pipes, accumulation of grease, destroy PVC joints, and damage porcelain sinks.
It is better to prevent clogging of bathroom basins by allowing the tap to run after brushing teeth, which can help avoid settling toothpaste within pipes and allow better flow.
In the same way, clean the drains regularly and remove debris and hair to prevent blockage.
Why would you pour boiling water into the bathroom sink?
Bathroom sinks and drainage pipes can get blocked due to the accumulation of soap scum, long hair, toilet paper, and dirt or debris, restricting the smooth flow of water.
Many people pour boiling water in the sinks to deal with clogged drains restricting smooth flow. In addition, it can help remove clogs of soap and food leftovers quickly.
In addition, it can help decontaminate the wash basins when you use it in combination with soap and let these soap bubbles settle on the surface and do the magic.
A few people prefer to avoid the use of harsh chemicals available in retail stores for cleaning purposes as they have side effects and are not safe to handle.
In addition, it requires pouring hot fluid directly into the drain, which can restore drain flow.
Additionally, it is effective to deal with smaller clogs in 5 to 10 minutes and clears the way through the drain by dissolving the accumulated soap and food particles.
However, it cannot help in severe clogging when there are bigger clumps within pipes that are blocking water from going through them.
So, you can use it to deal with minor blockages, but it is essential to consider the type of clog and sink as it can cause more harm than benefit.
Why should you avoid putting boiling water in the bathroom sink?
Boiling water is not considered suitable for cleaning the drains due to safety concerns and damage to the sinks and pipes.
Formation of cracks
Pouring boiling liquid in bathroom sinks can damage the surface as some of them are not made to resist high temperatures and begin to show cracks.
Thermal stress can lead to the formation of hairline cracks that can get bigger over time if you keep pouring hot water for disinfection purposes.
It usually happens in the winter when the basin is cold, and you pour hot bubbling liquid onto it. Quick changes in temperature or stress of heat can make them suddenly show cracks.
Damage to PVC pipes
It can cause damage to PVC or CPVC pipes commonly used to carry debris from bathroom basins into the main pipeline.
They can only withstand temperatures of 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and 170 to 215 degrees Fahrenheit as they are made to deal with cool tap water in domestic areas.
However, the temperature of this water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit which exceeds the maximum operating temperature of PVC pipes and causes long-term damage.
However, the CPVC pipes can resist damage, but continuous exposure to hot liquid can affect their structural integrity and reduces durability.
Accumulation of grease
Hot water can help dislodge the lumps of soap and food particles, but it cannot remove grease stains from the drain even if it accumulates there.
It is better to flush the gunk with cold water as it can help get rid of grease. Hot liquid can melt the grease and allows it to stick to the internal surface of pipes instead of flushing it out.
Sometimes, grease lumps are harder to remove from pipes and accumulate in the P-trap.
Destroys PVC joints
Hot water does not help remove 100% of the clogs from the drain pipe. In addition, some thick and hard stains remain attached to the pipes and are challenging to remove.
In addition, high temperatures can cause damage to the PVC joints by reducing their stiffness and making them soft.
These polyvinyl chloride joints are not resistant to high temperatures and begin melting when the temperature reaches 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
It will probably soften the glue and break the seals joining pipes together in addition to melting hard clogs or causing deformation of pipes, so it is better to choose better alternatives.
Short-term solution
The use of hot water to allow the discharge of debris in the sinks can be a short-term solution. You have to clean the pipes properly by calling professionals.
These clogs can get removed temporarily, but they can get accumulated deep in the pipes leading to a severe issue; that’s why it is recommended to clean the pipes once or twice a year.
In addition, it is better to find a safe and permanent solution to the problem, as hot water can cause burning on the skin if it accidentally comes in contact with steam.
What type of bathroom sinks can get damaged from boiling water?
Boiling water is not suitable for porcelain bathroom sinks due to less thermal stability and susceptibility to cracks and breaks.
It is layered over a metallic platform that conducts heat when you pour hot fluid over it and gets cold quickly. Rapid changes in external temperature are responsible for the appearance of cracks.
Accordingly, it is better to avoid pouring boiling liquids on the porcelain material to improve its lifespan. However, you can disinfect ceramic basins as they are resistant to high temperatures.
In addition, metallic sinks are also prone to damage due to the buildup of rust when it comes in contact with air, which leads to swelling or cracking.
Furthermore, avoid pouring hot solutions in the basins having plastic pipes as they get loose or begin to melt, but the metallic pipes can deal with the heat stress.
What things can you put in the bathroom sink instead of boiling water?
There are commercial drain cleaners for removing the clogs through sink pipes that can be used instead of boiling water as they do not cause damage to pipes and basins.
Moreover, you can cover the hole with drain traps to create a vacuum in the pipe that helps remove the accumulated clogs and improve the discharge.
You can mix vinegar and baking soda in equal quantities to prepare a solution for dislodging the harder lumps of grime.
The solution forms bubbles and dissolves the hard substances that can be flushed out with hot water after 30 to 40 minutes.
Furthermore, you can also ask for professional help to deal with tough clogs that are located deep within the P-trap and need cleaning.
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