Clogged drains are one of the most annoying problems you may face with your plumbing system at some point of time. Apart from restricting the dirty water to drain, clogs also produce unpleasant odors. While you can hire a plumber offering blocked drain services, there are a few DIY steps that you can employ before the plumber reaches your door steps.
What Causes Blocked Drains?
The problem of clogged drains arises due to many reasons. Here are some of them.
Food Grease: Accumulation of grease, oil and fat of foods in the drains are the leading causes of clogs in kitchen drains. As liquids, they easily enter the drain. However, they solidify after cooling leading to blockages.
Soap Scum: The greasy residue of soaps and particles may also contribute to the blockages of the drain. The accumulation of soap scum may also cause corrosion in the pipes, leading to leakages.
Hair Pile: Indeed! Accumulation of hair in the bathroom drains further intensify the issue
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the most common homemade remedies for blocked drains is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This is a rather effective method that is worth a try. Here is the process you need to follow.
First, take boiling water and pour it on the clogged drain.
Now, take half a cup of baking soda.
Pour the baking soda on the drain.
Let the baking soda remain for some minutes.
Take half a cup of vinegar and pour it on the drain.
There should be a reaction between the two ingredients and you will notice the fizzing.
Let it remain for at least an hour.
Use hot water for flushing the drain again.
How Does It Work?
This method works incredibly well and the reason is quite simple. Using hot water allows the sludge and gunk to loosen up. The baking soda helps in this process. Later, its chemical reaction with vinegar breaks down the sludge further. The final rinse with the hot water washes down the dislodged gunk away.
This method can be used for unclogging garbage disposal as well.
Other Methods
There are number methods that you can use for unclogging drains instead of hiring blocked drain services. Here are some of them.
Wire Hanger: This is deceptively a simple method and is excellent for getting rid of the gunk. You need a wire hanger for this method. Straighten out the wire hanger and bend one edge for creating a small hook. Plunge the hook end into the blocked drain. Fish out the blockages with it. The aim is to pull out the gunk instead of pushing it down. A lot of gunk can be eliminated with this tool including hair. Afterwards, rinse the drain with hot water to clear out any remaining sludge.
Caustic Soda: This is a dangerous chemical but is quite effective at cleaning out blocked drains. Caustic soda can be purchased from a hardware store. Remember to use adequate protection while using this chemical. You must protect your eyes and use rubber gloves while using this chemical. To three-thirds of a gallon of cold water add 3 cups of caustic soda. Use a wooden stick or spoon to stir the mixture well. The reaction will cause it to fizz and become heated. Take the solution and pour it down the drain. Let it remain for half an hour before using boiling water to flush out the drain.
Baking Soda and Salt: This is another application of baking soda that is worth a try. Create a mixture of table salt with baking soda using half a cup of each. Pour this mixture on the drain. Let it remain for up to 20 minutes. Take some boiling water and pour it down. The chemical reaction between the mixture and water can dissolve and dislodge the glop.
Try out these tricks instead of hiring blocked drain services. You may find that you have saved a considerable amount of money this way.
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