Blocked drains are a common household nuisance in North Carolina, often caused by accumulated grease, food waste, and harsh chemical residue. When the situation worsens, it may call for professional drain cleaners’ help from Drain Express, which could be costly or complicated depending on your budget or plumbing system.
However, if lucky, clear the blockages with simple, at-home solutions before calling a plumber. Here are six super-effective, DIY drain cleaning tips that you can try to keep your pipes running smoothly.
1. Hot Water Might Be Your Best Friend
One of the simplest yet commonly overlooked methods is using hot water to cleanse your drains. Running hot water through your pipes for about 15 minutes might dislodge the stubborn buildup, thanks to the water pressure, force, and heat.
It doesn’t cost you anything extra; all you need is a functioning faucet. Remember, sometimes, the most straightforward solutions are the best.
2. Deploy Household Tools
You can take your time with buying special drain cleaning tools or ring a professional plumber. Instead, check out the tools you already own. For instance, your humble bathroom plunger might be just what you need to fix your clogged drains.
A good rule of thumb when using plungers is to make slow, fluid motions for about 1 to 2 minutes instead of jamming down forcefully. Also, remember to seal any overflow vents beforehand to avoid wasting your efforts.
3. Try DIY Liquid Solutions
Consider homemade drain cleaning mixtures. If plunging and hot water doesn’t cut it. Unlike commercial cleaners, these mixtures won’t risk pipe damage. A popular concoction involves vinegar and baking soda, two everyday household items. Mix equal parts of these ingredients, follow with boiling water after a few minutes, and watch your drains clear up at a fraction of the cost of commercial cleaners.
4. Get Hands-On With a Drain Snake
Investing in a plumber’s drain snake could be a game-changer if you often face clogged drains. These are handy tools that professional plumbers use, but you can find them at your local home improvement store for a reasonable price.
Don’t be intimidated; using a drain snake is a straightforward process. Feed the snake through your drain, rotate it until it latches onto the blockage, and slowly pull it out. With some practice, you’ll clear your drains like a pro in no time.
5. Soft Drinks to the Rescue!
Yes, you read that right. Thanks to their high phosphoric acid content, sugary sodas like Pepsi or Coca-Cola can dissolve clogs. It’s a quirky and unconventional technique, but it works wonders and is a much safer alternative to commercial cleaners.
6. Prevention Is More Reasonable Than a Cure
Prevention is essential when it comes to maintaining your drains. At Drain Express, we recommend conducting monthly checks and getting a professional plumbing inspection at least once a year.
Familiarize yourself with what your drains can handle. Stringy foods, food wrappers, animal bones, paper products, and kitchen grease are common culprits for clogs and should be avoided.
You’ll boost your home’s plumbing performance by utilizing these easy drain-cleaning hacks and regular check-ups. To learn more about what you can do to minimize the risk of severe clogging or if DIY drain renovations make sense for your situation, feel free to reach out to us at Drain Express.
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