Clogged drains are a nightmare for your home. They are slow to drain and leave behind foul odors and bacteria. Regular drain cleaning helps to wash away gunk and keep drains open.
There are several ways to clean your drains – using the plunger, chemicals, or a plumber’s snake. However, if there is a deeper problem such as a sewer line issue it is best to have a professional do it. Contact Drain Cleaning Perth for professional help.
Baking soda and vinegar are common household items that can be used to clean drains and eliminate odor. This natural cleaning solution is inexpensive and environmentally friendly compared to chemical drain cleaners.
It’s important to prioritize safety when using this method. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves if you have sensitive skin. The reaction created by the combination of these two products can generate fumes that are dangerous to inhale. It is also important to note that this technique does not work for all types of clogs. For example, this home remedy does not dissolve grease blockages. For this reason, it is important to use other methods for dissolving greasy buildup.
First, pour a half-gallon of boiling water down the drain to soften any greasy residue that may be stuck inside the pipes. Then, sprinkle one cup of baking soda into the drain. Allow it to react with the hot water and create a bubbling action. The resulting carbon dioxide bubbles help to break down and remove clogs, while the boiling water helps to flush away any remaining particles.
The fizzing action created by the combination of these two products is what makes this homemade drain cleaner so effective. The acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the sodium bicarbonate in baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and acetate ions. This reaction breaks down organic clogs and helps to dissolve some types of mineral deposits.
This home remedy can be helpful for removing hair, soap scum, and other common household materials that can clog a drain. However, it is not effective for removing serious clogs, such as those caused by tree roots or sewer backups. It is also not recommended to use this method more than once per month, as repeated exposure to baking soda can damage pipes.
Another popular DIY drain cleaning method is to mix lemon juice and cream of tartar to form a paste. Apply the paste to a blocked drain and let it sit for a few minutes. This method can be effective for dissolving grease and soap scum, but it is not recommended to use this method more than once a month, as repeated exposure can cause corrosion in pipes.
Detergent and Hot Water
Clogged drains and pipes are a nightmare for homeowners. Not only does it prevent liquids and waste from flowing freely, but the stagnant water can lead to nasty odors in your home. It can also attract flies and other unpleasant insects. These problems are made worse by the fact that commercial chemical drain cleaners often do more harm than good.
If you don’t want to risk damaging your plumbing system with harsh chemicals, try a homemade solution. This simple solution combines the lubricating power of dish soap and hot water to dislodge and dissolve residue that can build up in your drain pipes.
Pour a generous amount of dish soap down the clogged drain. Let it sit for about 10 minutes while you boil a kettle of water. Once the dish soap is dissolved, dump the hot water down the drain. The hot water will wash away the grease and residue while simultaneously loosening any clogs.
This is an effective remedy for drains that are clogged with hair, dirt, or food. While it is important to always dispose of grease and other fats properly, it is inevitable that some will find its way into your drain. Especially if you use your sink to rinse dishes that contain high amounts of fat. Be sure to use a paper towel to soak up the excess fat, then discard it in the trash.
You can further minimize the chances of a clogged drain by performing monthly maintenance with baking soda and vinegar. This combination is an excellent clog buster that will not only keep your drains clear, but will also save you from expensive plumber bills. Simply pour two packets of dry yeast down the drain, followed by very hot water. The yeast will reproduce, expanding and flushing out grime and hair clogs that can build up in your pipes over time. This method will not only save you money, but will keep your drains clean and smelling fresh for months at a time! Yeast is cheap and available in most grocery stores. It’s much safer for your pipes than chemical drain cleaners, too!
Plumber’s Snake
Rather than using air pressure or caustic chemicals, a plumber’s snake takes a mechanical approach to the drain cleaning task. It consists of a long length of metal cable that is coiled and has a corkscrew-like bit attached to one end. This bit is threaded into the drain and, when cranked, it spins and bores into the clog. It can then either break apart hair clumps and other organic debris into smaller, easily flushed pieces or firmly latch onto and remove the entire clog from the pipe.
When you’re ready to use the snake, remove any drain covers, clean out the p-trap (if applicable) and, if necessary, take down the trap arm to gain access to the drainpipe itself. Generally, you’ll want to start by uncoiling the snake and feeding it into the drain. It’s important to keep a steady pace and not push too hard as you feed it into the pipe, as doing so could damage the drain entrance or pipe itself. If you feel resistance, this means that the snake has encountered an obstruction, such as a blockage or a bend in the pipes.
While you’re snaking the drain, remember to keep your hands away from the cable. It can carry bacteria and other germs, and if it’s contaminated with waste from the drain you’re snaking, it can spread this to other drains and even your hands. This can lead to painful, scaly skin. To prevent this, wear gloves whenever possible and use a rubber glove for any sensitive areas.
Keeping your drains clear of large food scraps, hair and other organic debris is a key part of maintaining healthy drains. Put strainers or screens in every sink and tub to catch bigger items before they wash down the drain, and regularly remove and clean these. Throw away grease and oil instead of pouring it down the drain, install a grease trap in your kitchen, and, if you have children, teach them to be careful with toys, books and other objects that might wash down the bathroom or bedroom drains.
Sewer Line Issues
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of your home’s plumbing to ensure it functions properly. A crucial component is your sewer line, which carries waste and sewage away to the public sewer system or septic tank. When this line is clogged or damaged, it can cause significant issues throughout your home’s plumbing and property. A professional plumber is able to diagnose and repair any issues with your sewer line.
Most people don’t think about their sewer lines very often, but if one of them is clogged or damaged it can be quite problematic. This is because if wastewater cannot exit your pipes and go down the drain, it will back up into your home’s plumbing fixtures, causing unpleasant smells and possibly even sewage to leak into your basement or yard. Fortunately, there are ways to keep on top of your plumbing and sewage needs, including regular drain cleaning and addressing warning signs as soon as possible.
Foul odors from drains, unexplained puddles in your yard, or frequent clogs are all symptoms of sewer line problems. If you notice any of these issues, call a plumber as soon as possible to have the problem assessed and addressed.
Clogged sewer pipes can be caused by a variety of factors, from tree roots to ground shifting to deteriorating pipe material. A deteriorating pipe can crack or collapse, which will result in a loss of water pressure and/or a restriction of the flow of wastewater. This can lead to major plumbing repairs in the future, so it’s important to address any damage as soon as you notice it.
The most common cause of a clogged or damaged sewer line is from tree roots infiltrating the pipes. This can happen when a tree grows too close to buried sewer lines, or when root growth puts enough pressure on the pipes that they crack. Once the roots enter the pipes, they can start to clog and eventually block the entire line if left untreated. Professionals can recommend a wide range of solutions to fix the issue, from simple repairs to complete sewer line replacement.