Tips for Clearing Clogged Drains
Have you got another clogged drain? Perhaps you noticed water running down the bathtub drain is running a bit slower than usual? Does the kitchen sink have some mysterious odor and is not running clear? You need to try using natural home remedies found around the house to get these drains running clear again. Consider a couple of tips for clearing clogged drains and keeping them clear.
Check the Obvious
Most clogs start out as something incredibly small and then other materials such as hair or food particles add to the clog. Grab a pair of needle nose pliers, a straightened coat hanger or a fingernail file and stick it into the drain to dislodge clogged materials. Remove hair and gunk that dislodges from the drain. Run a bunch of water through the drain to see if there is any improvement. Once you have removed everything possible, use a natural drain cleaner to remove even more debris and clear the drain.
Power of Foam
What you need is a strong drain cleaner with foaming action. Most households have vinegar and some baking soda on hand. The combination of these two cleaning ingredients creates a strong powerful foaming action much like a miniature volcano in your drain. Vinegar is a mild acid that works to break up grease from cooking and scum including soap scum. Baking soda kills odors and reacts with the vinegar to create foam, which twirls and whirls through out your drain and pipes to break up clogs.
If the drain currently has standing water in it try to remove as much as possibly. Pour one cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar into the drain. You should see serious oozing and foaming action. Let this mixture work in the drain for at least an hour. Pour a couple of cups of boiling water into the drain to dissolve more scum and grease. This should clear the clog.
A Dab of Salt
Everybody keeps salt around and all you need is about a half cup to pour down the drain. Add boiling water and see if the clog does not clear.
Plunge Away
You might have to purchase a cheap plunger, but once you see how well they work to remove clogs from drains the couple of dollars is worth it. Plungers can be used before and after trying a natural home remedy. Always remove noticeable gunk and hair from the drain first. Fill the sink or tub with just enough water to cover about an inch to two inches of the plunger. Place the plunger over the drain and push down hard and securely forming suction. Pull up and down repeatedly and you should hear the sound of water being released. After the water drains, pour hot tap or boiling water through the drainpipes.
Keep Pipes Clear
Monthly maintenance is the way to go to keep your drains running freely. Mix one cup of salt and baking soda plus a quarter cup of cream of tartar down the drain and follow with boiling water.