A lot of things can cause drain clogging, and one of the most common causes is grease and food waste buildup. When things get uncontrollable, you may need the help of a professional. Worse comes to worst, your drain system may require a major repair which can hurt your pocket.
However, there may be ways for you to solve minor drain issues with homemade methods or DIY drain cleaning techniques. This article will share some drain cleaning techniques that a homeowner should know and try to include in their drain cleaning routine!
Hot Water
It’s that one thing that is readily available, but no one really gives attention to. Hot water is great for diminishing clogs and dirt accumulation in your drain. It can easily flush down gunk that has built up along with other materials that cause clogging.
How to use it:
You only need a few things to do this trick – hot water, force, and pressure. Run a significant amount of hot water through your drain for a few minutes. It should dislodge all the dirt and restore the normalcy of your pipes. Easy! Such a simple trick that you should definitely try at home!
Make use of the tools you have
The answer to your clogged drains may have been lying around your house the entire time! It could be the tools that you already own but not often used or thought about as useful for drain clogs.
You can make use of your bathroom plunger to clear your drain by covering the drain opening with it, then try pressing it back and forth for a couple of times in two minutes. Be careful not to push too hard because it might not be that effective. Use a steady force to create pressure from fluid motions and consequently push down the clog.
DIY Cleaning Solutions
It is always a smart idea to create and formulate your very own homemade cleaning solutions. Commercial liquid cleaners may contain some harmful chemicals that might not be good for your pipes’ health. Try out some organic, readily available homemade cleaning solutions to unclog your drains. These types of cleaning solutions are beneficial and can prolong your pipe’s lifespan.
There’s a classic vinegar-baking soda mixture that is simple and very helpful. You can find these things lying around in your kitchen or pantry. This solution is great for breaking down stubborn gunks that affect your drain function. Plus, it does not have any negative effect on your pipes, which is excellent!
Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into the drain and follow it up with a bowl of hot water. This should eliminate anything that clogs your drain and restore its normal function.
Plumber’s Drain Snake
One drain cleaning trick that you wish you knew before is the drain snake technique. It’s a typical technique that professional plumbers use to unclog seriously problematic drains.
Although this tool is used by skilled professionals, you can actually try to use it as well. The snaking technique can be done in just a few simple steps:
- Manually insert the drain snake through your drain pipes and carefully turn the handle in a clockwise manner until you feel it resisting.
- Twist the tool against the blockage so that it holds on to whatever is clogging the drain.
- Carefully pull the snake up from the pipe, and it should come with the clogged material, thus, restoring your drain to normal. After this step, do not forget to put back the drain cover.
Sugared Soda
You surely have this inside your fridge, and it’s finally time to use it for other purposes. Sugared sodas can help unclog your drain by breaking down the unwanted debris that affects the flow in your pipes. This pretty much works like the classic baking soda-vinegar solution and is also similarly safe for the pipes.
Keep Your Drain Running Well
The most effective way to keep your drain running well is to avoid getting it clogged. Experts recommend getting your pipes inspected regularly to see to it that everything is in its proper state and functioning well. It is best to call a professional plumber to execute this job. By doing this, you can avoid future inconveniences at the same time, make sure that your home is safe from leaks and other plumbing issues that may cause more significant problems if left unattended.
Maintaining a healthy drain system starts with yourselves. Make it a habit to avoid putting waste down your drains. These wastes include food products, wrappers, paper products, grease, and other forms of waste. This will keep you from having to contact a professional for help.
Make use of the drain cleaning techniques that you learned in this article in your next drain cleaning routine. We assure you that it will improve the performance of your home’s plumbing system.