Getting your drains cleaned prevents clogs and promotes a healthy living environment. It removes waste and gunk that allows bacteria and mold to grow, causing bad odors in your home.
Drain Cleaning Sarasota also saves you money by preventing the need for serious repairs. A few dollars spent on a plumber now can save you thousands in water damage costs down the road.
Clogged drains are frustrating, especially when they prevent water from flowing freely. Luckily, they’re often easy to clear with a few household items you may already have. Regular drain cleaning can prevent future clogs and save you money on costly repairs.
If hot water and a plunger fail to dislodge your clogged pipe, try using a homemade chemical drain cleaner. The most effective formula is baking soda mixed with vinegar. The resulting reaction produces fizzing bubbles that work to break up and remove clogs and grime. The scouring action of the acidic vinegar also helps to clean the pipes. Pour the mixture into the slow or clogged drain and let sit for an hour. Follow with a few cups of boiling water to flush the drain and pipes.
Another simple but effective clog clearing solution is a wire hanger. These inexpensive, disposable items are typically found in closets and tool sheds. To use, untwist the wire hook at the end and flatten out the curves. Push the wire hook down into the drain until you feel resistance or it entangles with something preventing it from passing further. Once the clog is removed, pull the wire hook out and dispose of it.
For more serious clogs, you can try using a powered drain auger. These motorized tools have a long cable fitted with blades that are connected to a durable motor that cuts and pulls out the clog. However, it’s important to note that these devices can be dangerous and should only be used by experienced plumbing professionals.
One final option is to snake the drain. This involves manually pushing a flexible cable down the drain until it reaches the clog and dislodges it. This method can be messy and time-consuming, but it’s an effective choice if other methods fail.
A clogged bathroom or kitchen sink can be a real nuisance and even a health risk. If you can’t resolve a clogged drain by using any of the above techniques, call a professional plumber from Frank Gay Services. A little maintenance goes a long way in preserving the integrity of your home’s drain plumbing and promoting a healthier, more hygienic living environment.
Clogged Toilets
Sometimes a toilet clog is caused by a large object that has gotten stuck in the drain. In this case, you’ll need to use a plunger or an auger to dislodge the item and allow water to flow freely again.
If the problem is a more serious blockage in your home’s sewer lines, you may have to call a professional plumber for help. This type of clog often happens when tree roots infiltrate the line and grow inside, or when wads of flushed material become lodged deeper into the line.
It is important to prevent clogs from happening in the first place, as this can save you money and inconvenience. You can reduce the likelihood of a clog by implementing regular maintenance and prevention measures in your home.
Make sure to talk with members of your household about what can and cannot go down the toilet drain. Many clogs are caused by people flushing items such as Q-tips and cotton balls, which are not meant to be in toilet drains. Keeping bathroom counters free of these items can help, as well as installing trashcans in all bathrooms for proper waste disposal.
Another way to prevent clogs is to use a liquid soap that dissolves grease, such as liquid hand or body wash. Using this in combination with hot water can help to lubricate the blockage and remove it. You can also try using a plastic bottle that is filled with warm water. Then, put the top of the bottle into the toilet drain opening and turn on the water to create pressure.
You can also try a pipe snake or an auger to break up and clear clogs. This long metal stick can fit into the drain and poke through a small clog or break up bigger debris. Many plumbing professionals recommend using this tool after trying a flanged plunger and liquid drain cleaner.
It is important to note that chemical-based drain cleaners should never be used in toilets, as they can damage the piping in your home’s plumbing system. If you’re looking for a safer and more natural way to unclog your toilet, consider investing in an enzyme product that can break down organic waste and stop the clog from forming again.
Clogged Sinks
The drains in sinks are usually out of sight and mind until they stop working. When that happens, it’s generally a sign of something serious, but there are several DIY solutions you can try before calling a plumber.
Boiling Water
Pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain can dissolve soap scum or grease and loosen light clogs. You may need to repeat this method a few times to fully clear a clog.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Mixing baking soda and vinegar in a ratio of one part each can help break up and dislodge clogs to move them down the pipes. This method should only be used on small clogs as it can damage your pipes if overused.
Make sure there’s no standing water in your sink before using this solution, as it will prevent the chemicals from coming into contact with any lingering debris and potentially damaging your pipes. If there is, drain the sink or use a wet/dry vac to remove the water and allow the cleaners to work.
If the clog persists, remove the P-trap to clean it and clear out any grime and residue. If you have a plunger, removing the trap and then using it can often remove stubborn clogs. You can also try a zip-strip or other commercial drain cleaner. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and carefully position the cap over the drain opening.
If your clog is more severe, you may need to use a plumber’s snake or other tool designed to reach clogs deeper in the pipes. If you don’t have a plumber’s snake, you can try making a makeshift with a wire coat hanger. Use needle-nose pliers to unwind the end of the coat hanger, leaving just the hooked tip behind to grab onto the clog and pull it out. If the clog is still a problem, you may need to unclog your entire drain pipe. Be sure to shut off your water while you’re doing this so that the pressure doesn’t crack or damage your pipes. Also, be sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when dealing with caustic chemicals.
Clogged Showers
When showering, the water naturally removes dandruff, dead skin cells, dust, grime and other debris that can stick to interior pipes and slow down drainage. Add to that the occasional hair band, soap scum, toothpaste cap, shampoo bottle cap and other items that can fall down the drain, and it’s no wonder so many shower drains are clogged.
A few simple tools can help you clear a clogged shower drain in no time. A wet/dry shop vacuum is one of the most useful for this purpose. The strong suction of the tool can suck up both liquids and solids, making it easy to pull out whatever is causing the blockage. If the clog is deep or near the service line, you may need a longer tool to reach it.
Baking soda and vinegar are common household materials that are highly effective in loosening a clogged shower drain. The salt in the baking soda and the acidic nature of distilled white vinegar combine to form a chemical reaction that loosens most protein-based clogs (for example, human hair). Pour a cup of baking soda down your drain, then follow it up with a cup of boiling water. This can dissolve most hair clogs, but for tougher ones, you may need to repeat the process.
If you have tried all of the above home remedies and are still struggling with a clogged drain, consider using a commercial chemical drain cleaner. Just be sure to use products that are safe for your pipes, especially if you have a septic system. Alternatively, you can try taking off the shower drain cover and physically removing the clog. It’s a good idea to wear gloves for this task, as some of the gunk you may encounter is gross. If the clog is particularly stubborn, you can also try using a hand-held drain auger that can be purchased at most hardware stores. Just make sure you use the appropriate size auger for your pipes. Using an auger too small for your pipes can cause damage and could result in a worse clog down the line.