You want to do your daily tasks without interruption, especially when life is busy. You need clean water for everything, from cooking to getting ready to go out. Thus, you should make enough time for plumbing maintenance. This includes cleaning the drains so that wastewater can flow out of your house properly.
Specifically, you might have clogged drains if you don’t do it. These problems can be a real pain because they can cause water to back up, bad smells to spread through your home, and ultimately, they can throw off your daily routine.
You can always hire professional Plumbers Aurora CO, but sometimes doing it yourself can save you time and money and make you feel good since you have accomplished a difficult task on your own.
This blog provides tips to teach you how to clean your drains yourself. These tips will help you eliminate common clogs and keep your drains running smoothly whenever you need them.
From simple remedies to preventative measures, we’ve got you covered. Here are some ways to clean a sink, either by themselves or in combination.
- Use Hot Water:
Hot water can do wonders for small clogs caused by oil buildup, soap scum, or food pieces. Bring a kettle of water to a boil and slowly pour it down the clogged drain. The heat can clear away the buildup and get things moving again. If you need to, do this process more than once. Keep in mind that metal or ceramic lines work best for hot water. Don’t use it on plastic lines because it could damage them permanently.
- Use Baking Soda and Vinegar:
This old-home method is a tried-and-true way to clear a clogged drain. Start by putting a half-cup of baking soda into your clogged drain. After the baking soda, pour in, next, half a cup of white vinegar. When these two ingredients come together, they combine chemically to make foam, which can loosen dirt and grime. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then pour hot water down the drain. This method is especially good for eliminating waste buildup and bad smells.
- Use a Plunger:
With a quick burst of force, a plunger can clear clogged drains. To start, ensure there is enough water in the sink or tub to cover the plunger’s suction cup before using it. Place the plunger over the drain, push down hard, and quickly pull up. Repeat plunging a few times until you feel the clog break. Give it one last flush with hot water to remove leftover dirt afterward.
- Use a Drain Snake
A drain snake is the best tool when a clog doesn’t go away. It is a bendable wire with a corkscrew end that breaks up and removes hard clogs. Feed the wire into the drain and twist it clockwise as you push it in. Keep going until you reach the clog. Twist and push to break it apart, then carefully pull out the snake, bringing the debris with it. Avoid pipe damage by being careful, following instructions, and wearing protective gloves.
- Cleaning the P-Trap:
The U-shaped pipe under your sink called a “P-trap,” is often the cause of blockages. Start by putting a bucket or towel under the P-trap to catch water or trash that might spill out. Carefully loosen the nuts that hold the P-trap to the other lines with a wrench. Once the P-trap is out of the way, check if it is clogged. Clean out the pipe and give it a good rinse before putting it back together. This method works for clogs caused by hair, soap, or foreign items.
- Use Clothing Wire Hanger:
A simple clothing wire hanger can help with clogs that won’t come out with other tools. Straighten out one of your clothing wire hangers and bend one end into a small hook. Carefully put the hook end into the drain and gently move it around to break up clogs. You can either pull the clog out or use the hook to break it up. Afterward, pour hot water down the drain to get rid of the loose stuff. This method works great for clogged hair and small blocks.
- Regular Maintenance:
Preventing drain clogs is the best way to keep them from happening. Taking care of your drains daily can help keep them clean and free-flowing. Use drain screens or stoppers to catch hair, food, and other things that could get stuck in the drain before they go down. Also, don’t throw grease, oil, coffee grounds, or harsh chemicals down the drain because they can cause clogs and damage your pipes.
Conclusion
By using these helpful do-it-yourself tips for drain cleaning, you can eliminate common clogs and keep your drains healthy and free-flowing. Remember to call a plumber if the clog is serious or won’t go away.
Regular maintenance and good habits can go a long way toward avoiding clogs and ensuring your plumbing system works well. With these helpful do-it-yourself methods, you can get rid of annoying clogs and clean your drains without much trouble.