Chemical concentrations, food product accumulation and grease buildup are the leading causes of clogged drains in residential homes. In extreme cases, these blockages require professional cleaning or even repairs that may not be feasible with specific budgets or plumbing systems. CT Sewer Rooter, LLC provides Connecticut drainage cleaning and plumbing services for commercial and residential properties throughout the state of Connecticut. Our CT drain cleaning, video inspection of lines and pipes, high-speed water jetting, basement pumps outs, Drain Cleaning and sewer line repair are just a few of the many services we offer – contact us today to learn more!
If you’re lucky, it may be possible to clear out clogs using at-home techniques and tools without calling a professional plumber. This article has compiled several of the most efficient drain cleaning methods that DIY homeowners can apply in order to reduce the impact of clogs and restore their drains back to optimal performance.
Warm Water Can Do the Trick
Sometimes overlooked due to its simplicity, hot water washing your drains may be all that’s necessary for them to return to optimal performance. Flushing out your pipes with hot water is an effective way to clear away clogged materials and gunk using force, pressure, and heat – an often underestimated method for clearing away blockages and gunk.
For optimal results, run hot water through your blocked and dirty drains over a period of 15 minutes. If everything goes as planned, pressure and heat from the hot water should help dissolve any buildups in the pipe and restore them back to their optimal state at no additional cost to you. Since this flush requires nothing more than a faucet that functions properly, it’s one of the simplest drainage cleaning techniques you can apply.
Utilize Tools You Already Own
Other methods you might not have considered for cleaning your drains could be done with tools already in your possession. Instead of purchasing special tools to do it yourself or calling an expert plumber to inspect and fix things, use common household items to carry out simple yet effective fixes on the pipes in question.
Your bathroom plunger may not be the best solution for blocked or inefficient drains. For the best results, try using specially designed sink plungers designed specifically for sink use.
Whatever plunger you have available, the process for drain clearing is relatively similar: fill the drain completely with your plunger, then press it backward and forward repeatedly over one to two minutes. Be gentle; excessive force could cause serious pipe clogging.
Additionally, make sure the fixture you are considering has one of these vents (like those found on many traditional sinks that prevent overflows). Protect these vents beforehand in case any air or pressure applied to drainage will be ejected, rendering all efforts ineffective.
Homemade Liquid Cleaners
If the methods above are inconvenient or do not fit your situation, homemade liquid cleaners might be worth trying. Just as commercial chemicals break down and break up buildup in drain pipes, these options do not cause any deterioration or damage to pipes over time like commercial cleaners can. However, be aware that homemade solutions do not come with the same risk factors as commercial ones.
One popular homemade mixture for degrading loose material inside pipes is baking soda and vinegar. You likely already have these ingredients in your pantry, and they don’t pose any danger to pipes or their walls.
Utilize a Drain Snake for DIY Plumbing Service
If blocked drains or gunk build up are a frequent occurrence at home, plumbers will need the assistance of a drain snake. These tools cost between $25-50 and can usually be purchased from local home improvement stores at a reasonable price (approximately $25-$50), providing you with enough value in one usage to recoup your investment within one visit.
Sugared Sodas and Drain Clogs
This clever trick for cleaning the drain is often disregarded due to its simplicity, yet it works wonderfully. Sugary beverages like Pepsi and Coca-Cola products, along with sugary snacks like chips, can effectively clear common obstructions from drains – similar to our DIY solutions previously discussed on the blog.
Commercial cleaners for drains, such as vinegar and baking soda solutions, are much safer alternatives. Sodas contain dissolving agents like phosphoric acid that make them even more effective than commercial chemical cleaners at opening obstructions in pipes. It appears that unconventional approaches to drain cleaning may be the most efficient ones available – an indication of why non-conventional options have become so popular in recent years.
Beyond regular professional and self-inspection and inspections, knowing what your drains can and cannot process is one of the best ways to reduce clogging. Avoid placing fibrous food items like spaghetti in your drains or garbage disposal, as well as food wrappers, animal bones paper products, kitchen grease – these are among the leading causes of clogs.
By following these simple tricks for cleaning drains and checking for clogs, you can dramatically improve the performance of your plumbing in your home.