How do you handle leaky pipes and clogged drains at home?

Curious if you’ve found any eco-friendly alternatives to the chemical drain stuff? I’ve tried baking soda and vinegar with mixed results, but always feel better about not dumping harsh things down the drain.

Yeah, I’m with you there - baking soda and vinegar is hit or miss for me too. I actually started using one of those little drain snakes (the plastic kind) before reaching for anything else. It’s kinda gross, but it works way better than I expected and no chemicals needed. About the mice and PEX - funny you mention peppermint oil. I tried it once and my basement smelled like a candy cane factory for weeks... but the mice didn’t seem to care much. Has anyone tried wrapping PEX with something less toxic than conduit? Wondering if there’s a middle ground.

I’ve had the same experience with baking soda and vinegar - sometimes it’s magic, sometimes it’s just a fizzy mess. Those plastic drain snakes are a lifesaver, though. Not glamorous, but they get the job done. As for PEX, I’ve seen people use stainless steel mesh sleeves as a barrier. It’s not totally chemical-free, but it’s less industrial than full conduit and doesn’t mess with the look too much. Mice are relentless... I swear they treat peppermint oil like air freshener.

I’ve tried the baking soda and vinegar trick too, and honestly, it’s hit or miss for me. Sometimes it just fizzes and does nothing, other times it clears a slow drain. The plastic snakes are ugly but man, they pull out stuff you don’t want to see. As for mice, I gave up on peppermint oil after watching one literally walk right over a soaked cotton ball... Ended up using steel wool and caulk around the pipes - hasn’t failed me yet.

Steel wool and caulk - yep, that’s my go-to for mice too. Never had much luck with peppermint oil either, honestly. For drains, I usually start with a wire coat hanger before reaching for the baking soda and vinegar. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it feels less harsh than chemical stuff. If it’s really stubborn, I’ll pour boiling water down after the fizzing stops. Not perfect, but I like to avoid heavy-duty cleaners if I can. Anyone else tried enzyme-based drain cleaners? I’ve been curious but haven’t made the leap yet.

Enzyme-based drain cleaners are actually pretty cool if you’re looking to keep things gentle. I tried one a while back after getting tired of the usual vinegar and baking soda routine (which, like you said, is hit or miss). The enzymes basically “eat” the gunk - hair, soap scum, all that gross stuff - so it’s less about blasting things away and more about letting it break down over time. It’s not instant, though. I had to use it overnight for a slow drain in my bathroom sink, but by morning it was running clear.

If you go that route, just make sure you don’t pour boiling water right after, since the heat can kill the enzymes before they do their job. I usually do a quick flush with warm water instead. Not as dramatic as chemical stuff, but I like knowing I’m not wrecking my pipes or the environment.

For leaky pipes, I’m all about pipe repair tape as a temporary fix until I can get in there with new washers or fittings. It’s saved me from a few midnight disasters... nothing like waking up to a puddle under the kitchen sink.