How can such a small amount of BIO-CLEAN be effective in my plumbing system?
There are millions and millions of bacteria in each spoonful. Each one will eat its weight of waste every 60 seconds. They double in number every 30 minutes, and as they multiply they will spread throughout the entire drain system.
Will it work on a clog?
If the substance is biodegradable, yes. However, in most cases, the stoppage is not caused by a clump of something in the trap. Most likely, it is several feet of pipe that is filled with “gunk”, and it may take several days for the bacteria in Bio-Clean to eat through this long blockage. Therefore, it is suggested that a mechanical cable be used to restore drainage. Then begin BIO-CLEAN treatments to remove any remaining waste build-up. Regular maintenance treatments will prevent new build-up from occurring.
How long will it take to see the results?
Some people notice improvement in a day or two. Almost everyone will see results in one to three weeks. Note: The cleaning process is not completed with the initial five-day purge treatment. The time is determined by the type of substance the buildup is comprised of (grease, soap, hair) and the length of the lines. Hair takes the longest to digest.
Does BIO-CLEAN digest hair?
Yes. However, it does take much longer than most any other organic material. In drains, soap scum, skin oils, etc. bond hair to the pipe surfaces. BIO-CLEAN digests these other materials more quickly, which releases the hair to wash downstream.
Should the toilet be flushed after pouring BIO-CLEAN into the bowl?
Do not flush for 6-8 hours. The quart of mixture poured into the bowl pushes one quart of water and mixture out of the bowl into the stack line. The enzymes and bacteria carried out in the quart leaving the bowl are deposited on the gook coating the pipe. In the following 6-8 hours, they embed themselves in the gunk so that when the toilet is next flushed they will not be flushed out.
Aren’t chemical drain openers much stronger than BIO-CLEAN?
The strongest chemical in the world can’t climb the sidewalls of horizontal pipes. Gravity makes all chemicals run along the bottom. Nor can chemicals remove much waste in vertical pipes because they flow through so quickly. The bacteria in BIO-CLEAN are live and will go anywhere there is food. They will remove the gunk chemicals leave behind.
Does BIO-CLEAN contain any acid, lye, solvents, perfume or poisonous substances?
No
Would there be a problem with treating and leaving BIO-CLEAN in the drain for several days while away on vacation? If it’s OK is there an advantage to leaving the solution longer than the suggested 6-8 hours?
For best results it is recommended to treat your drain lines according to the directions. Once the mixture is poured into the drain it is mainly sitting in the drain trap and partially in the drain line. By doing this it gives the bacteria time to multiply and eat the organic waste found in the drain trap. When you use some water the following day (after 6-8 hours) the mixture that was sitting in the drain trap enters the remainder of the drain line coating its inside walls treating the entire drain line rather than just the trap. By letting the mixture rest in the drain trap for more than the 6-8 hours you are not getting the full benefit of the product in treating the entire drain line.
What does the string of numbers on the side of the BIO-CLEAN container stand for?
If you noticed a string of numbers on the side of the BIO-CLEAN container below the product label. (example: 2008007697) This number is an internal number used by the manufacturer as a product lot and batch tracking number. The first two digits of this number is the year the product was manufactured and packaged into that specific container. For example, 2008007697 this container of BIO-CLEAN was manufactured and packaged in 2020.
What is the shelf life of BIO-CLEAN?
BIO-CLEAN has a shelf life of 8-10 years as long as it’s kept dry. It is best to store BIO-CLEAN in a cool dry place. Room temperature is fine, just avoid extreme heat.
Can BIO-CLEAN be used if water is backing up into a washing machine?
No. It is not recommended to use Bio-Clean in a washing machine. The product works much better in maintaining a clean drain line, rather than working much harder to try and restore a failed or failing drain line back to its normal state. Regular maintenance treatments will prevent new build-up from occurring.
If you have standing water in your washing machine it may be caused by one of the following reasons.
1. The drain hose may be kinked or clogged not allowing proper drainage.
2. The drain pump may be faulty or clogged.
3. The drain filter that catches, hair, lint, and debris may be clogged – The drain filter should be cleaned out regularly.
4. If the washing machine’s drain hose is connected to a standpipe it is possible there is a clog or a partial clog in the trap of the standpipe, or in the drain line the standpipe connects into, and is causing the washing machine to back up.
5. Depending on where your washing machine is located if it’s in a basement and there aren’t any floor drains, bathtubs, or showers in the vicinity it is possible the washing machine drain line is the lowest point in the house, and the washing machine drain line ties directly into a main line that leads to the sewer trap. If this is so it is possible you may have a clogged sewer line.
What may be happening is when you do one load of laundry, and the water drains because it may be traveling down a long length of pipe toward the main house trp, and you don’t notice a backup, but when you do a second load of laundry you start to notice water backing up into the washing machine, this is happening because there may be a stoppage in your main sewer line and the water is filling the pipe and since it has nowhere to drain it backs up into your washing machine. – You may need to call a professional drain cleaner to remedy this problem especially if it’s a sewer line stoppage.
If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Drainage Solutions LLC is a National level Authorized Bio-Clean® Distributor.