5 Ways to Unclog Drains Without Using Any Harmful Chemicals
There’s no doubt chemical drain cleaners are quick and efficient. And of course, they are aggressively marketed as the most convenient and definite ways to unclog drains.
As a responsible consumer you may want to look at some finer details of using chemical drain cleaners. The bitter truth is that these chemicals are incredibly harmful for your plumbing and also for the environment.
When PVC drains and pipes are exposed to chemical cleaners on a regular basis, they are likely to get corroded in the long run. The chemicals may also leach through the drains into the groundwater and contaminate it. The toxic effect on plant and animal habitats can lead to drastic genetic mutations. Most of the chemical drain cleaners also contain sulfuric acid, known to release toxic fumes.
It is only safe to term these chemical drain cleaners “absolutely unsafe”!
So what’s the alternative? Though, some situations will need emergency drain cleaning services from an expert plumber but most clogged drains can be tackled with just a little determination.
Instead of reaching out for the harmful chemicals, try these simple ways for unclogging the drains.
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Dish soap & Boiling water
The combination of dish soap and boiling water is excellent for getting rid of nasty clogs caused by accumulated grease. The best thing about this method is that the ingredients are always readily available and the process rather simple.
All you need to do is squirt a liberal amount of dish soap in the drain. Follow with get a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. Repeat the process a couple of times if the clog doesn’t give way straight away.
For best results and regularly maintaining the drain you can do this at once a couple of weeks.
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Baking Soda & Vinegar Cleanse
Baking soda and vinegar together make up an extraordinary household cleanser. This solution has the greatest potential for getting rid of clogged and smelly drains.
You need to start by clearing the drain hole of any visible debris and particles. Now put about 1/2 cup baking soda in the drain. Immediately follow with 1/2 cup of vinegar. Now cover the drain and let it sit. After about half an hour pour a pan of hot water in the drain. If the drain doesn’t clear out in one go, give it a second shot and you’ll definitely get the results.
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Plunger
A plunger is a common household plumbing tool. It is indispensable for resolving clogs. Even experienced plumbers start off the rescue mission for clogged drains and toilets with a plunger in hand.
Plungers specially designed for kitchen and bathroom sinks work exceptionally well at difficult clogs.
Always ensure that the drain is clear of stagnating water before using the plunger. While using the plunger make sure that you get a tight seal on the drain hole. Then plunge it up and down creating pressure in the drain to break the clog. The drain should open up soon enough.
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Wet/Dry Vacuum
A wet/dry vacuum can be used to get rid of clogs that don’t budge with the plunger. This is a hassle-free mess-free method. You need to first drain out the water by setting the vacuum on wet mode. Next step is to create a seal on the sink hole with the vacuum hose. Turn on the vacuum on high power and you’ll be able to pull out the clog right away!
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Auger
A hand held auger is another inexpensive plumbing tool that can come handy in getting rid of clogs in the drain. If you’ve tried all other methods and the clog remains undeterred, it’s time to bring the auger in the picture.
Insert the auger deep in the drain through the sink hole until it hits the clog. Crank the auger handle to create a twist in the auger cable. This action grabs the clog and breaks it down. When you pull out the auger, some of the trash may be stuck on the head. If the auger gets stuck, try these troubleshooting steps. Clean the debris and throw it away in the trash. To get the best results always follow up by giving the drain a rinse with hot water.
Thank you for reading 5 Ways to Unclog Drains Without Using Any Harmful Chemicals
