All of us are familiar with the strange feeling in our stomach when we find an overflowing sink. The rising water level in the sink increases your stress levels. While searching for the best plumber near me is the recommended course of action when things can serious, you can unclog a drain on your own.
In most cases, simple tools in your house can be used to clean the drains. Daily use chemicals in your kitchen or bathroom can be effective in removing the gunk buildup in the drain. The use of homemade cleaners is beneficial because they do not damage the pipes.
If you want to avoid hiring professionals for Drain and sewer Cleaning in Snellville GA, you must know these top 8 drain cleaning hacks.
1. Use Hot Pressured Water
The kitchen sink happens to be one of the most essential plumbing fixtures in a home. If you have installed a garbage disposal unit in your kitchen, the clogs are rare. Well, the good thing is hot water is equally effective either you have a garbage disposal or not.
The solution is as simple as it sounds. All you need to do is to flush your drain pipes. The heat, water pressure, and force can help remove the gunk. Run hot water through the drains for about fifteen minutes. A working faucet can unclog the drain for free!
2. Keep A Plunger Handy
Most of the homes already have a plunger. If you haven’t got one, it is best to buy one. It is a cheap tool easily available in the market.
The bathroom plunger can be used to unclog the drains. Either you have bought a sink specific plunger or using the bathroom plunger, the technique is essentially the same. Secure the overflow vent to make the cleaning easier. Cover the drain opening with the plunger and press back and forth continuously for about 2 minutes. The steady buildup of force due to the fluid motion of the plunger dislodges the gunk.
For the best results, apply some petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger. It effectively seals the plunger to the plumbing fixture and helps create a strong force.
3. Make A Drain Cleaning Solution
There are plenty of possible drain cleaning solutions that can easily be mixed at home. These solutions harsh chemicals used for unclogging the water pipes can also damage them. You may be calling plumbing services for pipe repair very soon.
4. Baking Soda and Vinegar
The most effective drain cleaner is prepared by mixing an equal amount of baking soda and vinegar. For the best results, pour in half a cup of baking powder. Chase it down with half cup vinegar and cover the drain. Let it sit for an hour or two. Flush the drain with hot water. If it does not do the trick in one go, you can repeat it as many times as you need to.
5. Borax, Salt and Vinegar
If you haven’t got baking soda at your hand, here is another effective cleaner. Mix equal amounts of table salt and borax. Pour down the mixture in the clogged drain. Take a cup of vinegar and pour in into the mixture and cover the drain. Use hot water to flush it. The salt is effective in removing drain odors.
Sweetened sodas seem to the unconventional solution but they do the trick. The acidic contents in the soda dissolve the gunk just like the commercial cleaner.
Before you pour in any of the cleaning solutions, pull out the drain cover and clean it with a dry paper towel. This is important for preventing future buildup.
6. Use A Drain Snake
A drain snake is a simple device that can-do wonders. It can reach the dark and moist bends of pipes and pull out the buildup. It is easily available at home improvement stores. A lot of professional plumbers also use the drain snake to relieve clogs.
The best thing about the tool is that it is very easy to use. Feed the snake through the pipe and turn the handle clockwise. Keep turning until you feel some resistance. Exert some force to turn the snake against resistance. Once the turning gets easier again, pull it out, and pour hot water down the drains. The drain is ready for use!
7. Bent A Wire Hanger
Bent a wire hanger and use it to remove gunk buildup in the drain.
Better Leave Sewer Cleaning to Plumbers!
When it comes to sewer backup, DIY cleaning is very risky. The best course of action is to hire professionals for sewer Cleaning in Snellville GA. The same is the case with the sump pump overflows and damages. A professional is best equipped to handle the complicated plumbing fixtures.
