How to Clean Your Drain and Prevent Clogs

1. How to Clean Your Drain and Prevent Clogs Clogged drains demand your immediate attention; after all, you do not want to overlook the problem and end up flood your floor. Drain cleaning can really help to prevent several issues. It is usually a good idea to call the plumber and ask them to help you unclog a drain, but you can try some technique to clean and unclog a drain on your own. Most of these methods work when the issue is not that severe, but if they fail to fix the problem, it is better to hire a professional to take charge of things. Flush with Hot Water Before you call the plumber, try to flush your drain with hot water. Take a teakettle filled with boiling hot water and flush your drain with it. It helps with drain cleaning and works great to get rid of a light or small blockage. A boiling water flush is usually all you need to fix a slow drain. While the boiling water trick produces good results, you should use it only when you have metal pipes. Avoid it when you have PVC pipes. Boiling water can melt or soften the joints in PVC pipes, so it is better to avoid it. Try Homemade Liquid Cleaners When you do not get good results from boiling water, you can always try some homemade liquid cleaners. Avoid commercially made chemicals because they are not safe. Only a professional plumber should deal with chemicals and other similar options. Homemade solutions may help dislodge any buildup in the drainpipe. These homemade cleaners are not as powerful as commercial cleaners are, but they are safe to use and do not damage your pipes. You can always try a simple vinegar and baking soda concoction. Here is how to use it: Start by flushing your drain with boiling hot water. Then, dump in about half cup of baking soda and leave it there for a while. Meanwhile, mix 1 cup of vinegar in 1 cup of hot water. Pour this mixture on top of the baking soda and cover the drain with a plug. Flush the drain once more after 10 minutes to clean it properly.

2. The combination of baking soda and hot water works because it helps loosen up grimy sludge at the bottom of your drain, whereas the vinegar solution throws that grime out of the drain. The final hot water rinse leaves your drain clean. However, if these methods do not work, you should ask a plumber to come and take care of everything on your behalf. You can use their services after regular intervals to keep your drains clean or you can hire them to unclog your drains. It will certainly cost you some money, but it will save you from dealing with all the hassle of cleaning your drains. Keep in mind that it is always better to perform monthly performance checks on your drains and have a plumbing inspection by a professional at least once a year to avoid clogs altogether. Articles source: http://www.homes-cool.com/how-to-clean-your-drain-and-prevent-clogs.htm