Use these safe and effective methods for drain cleaning!
Whether you’re at home or at work, drain clogs are never a welcome sight. In fact, they can cause serious headaches for anyone that needs to use the restroom or the kitchen. Additionally, you’ll be tasked with figuring out how to clear the drain, especially if you don’t want to call a plumber. In these situations, many people turn to chemical, store-bought drain cleaners to solve their problems. However, what you’re not told is how ineffective and even damaging these cleaners can be. Harsh chemicals can erode pipes and even contaminate the water supply. With this in mind, check out our list of safe and effective drain cleaning methods you can use to get your system running again!
Plunger
The easiest way to unclog your drains is to reach for the plunger. Whether it’s the bathroom drain or kitchen sink, a plunger can be useful in removing minor clogs. A plunger forces more pressure into the drain, which either dislodges the clog or forces water upwards. Either way, you’ll have a better understanding of the severity of your problem.
Drain Auger
If the plunger doesn’t work, the drain auger is your next step. This tool also called a drain snake, is long and used to probe down into the pipes to clear blockages. Augers are sold in small sizes and large-commercial sizes depending on the severity of your issue. Unfortunately, a household drain auger may not be sufficient for larger clogs that are deeper in the system. For that scenario, you may need commercial help.
Natural Drain Cleaners
Natural drain cleaners can actually be highly effective, depending on the clog and its location. Usually a mixture of dish soap and hot water or backing sod and vinegar, natural drain cleaners won’t hurt your system. Therefore, you can try all you want to clear the clog without experiencing the negative effects of chemical drain cleaners. Unfortunately, household solutions won’t be enough for serious drain clogs.
Water Pressure
Another great method for minor clogs is simple water pressure. For Kitchen sinks, you can use the sink hose sprayer, turned all the way up to hot, to shoot water down the drain. Many times, this will clean out any partial blockages that may be causing slow drains.
Call a Plumber
This is the safest way to remove any drain clog. Whether it’s minor or major, a licensed plumber will have the tools and experience to find the clog, fix it fast and have your system back up and running in no time!
