4 Easy and Effective Ways to Clean the Drain

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One of the most common problems in maintaining a home is cleaning the drain. A house drain refers to the horizontal piping that enables the flow of wastewater to the central waste vent. And since this system relies on gravity, problems such as blockages in the pipes are the common factors that prevent water from properly draining.

Imagine yourself in a situation where you find the water in your kitchen sink or your bathtub refusing to go down. Before calling your plumber, why not try cleaning your drains with these four easy and effective ways to clean the drain.

Plunger 

Some simple drain clogs can be solved with a plunger. Just make sure that you create a seal with the rubber head of the plunger against the drain. Also, ensure that no air can seep through and that there is enough water in the pipe to push the clog away. Push the plunger until the head inverts then release. Continue the process until the water drains. For this method, a lot of patience and skill is required.

FlexiSnake drain snake and clog removers

This method will enable you to reach distant parts of the pipes. A plumbing snake is a flexible or coiled wire or a flexible plastic with textured edges. To use this, you must first remove any screening materials, such as hair traps or tub drains, that may hinder your access to the drain. Carefully insert the snake cable and rotate the handle while continuing to push it through the pipes. Resistance will be observed when the clog remover reaches the blockage. You may need to push and pull on the snake drain to break down the blockage. You have to be careful and slowly draw the auger out to ensure that the dirt you collected would not fall back down the drain. A disadvantage of this method is the resulting mess.

Natural Home Cleaners

If the drain blockage is a bit stubborn, you may need help from materials that are easily accessible in your home. 

• Hot water and dish soap

Boiling water and some liquid dishwashing soap will break down grease that gathered over time in your kitchen sinks. But it does not only work in kitchen drains, but also your bathroom. Some of the gunk can accumulate in pipes, and hot water can help break up that nasty stuff. 

• Vinegar and baking soda

Well, these two things are not just for making a volcano for a science project, but it can also help clean drains. After cleaning the surrounding area of your sink, pour half a cup of baking soda in your drain followed by the same amount of vinegar. Do not use the drain for an hour to let the mixture do its work. After an hour, pour hot water until the pipe is clear. 

While other natural home cleaners may include borax and salt, the procedure is generally the same where you pour these elements and leave the drain unused for an hour before pouring in hot water. Do take note that the more stringent the clog, the longer it needs to sit. 

Liquid cleaners

The chemical in these cleansers reacts with grease or other materials in the clog. Some releases heat and turn the clog material into a soap-like substance, while others produce gas to clear the blockage. With all these types in the market, one can simply find themselves in a rut trying to choose between a chemical-based or a greener alternative, Drano vs. Liquid-Plumr, or how safer some products are compared to others. It’s ideal to do a little reading before heading out to buy one. There’s a lot of reliable online reviews and comparisons out there specifically made to help consumers make the right choice every time. 

Liquid cleaners can either be chemical or enzyme-based cleaners, and can be caustic, oxidizing or acid type. It can also come in liquid, gel or powder forms. Liquid drain cleaners can also be used for maintenance and for removing the foul odor in your pipes. The most beneficial thing about these cleaners is that they are available in stores, ready to use and are affordable as well.  

Whichever method you prefer in cleaning your drains, it is most useful is to prevent the situation and with proper maintenance. Use screening materials and prevent pushing objects down your drain. It is also advisable to schedule regular cleaning of pipes to avoid calling the plumber.

Courtney P.

I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!

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