DIY Drain Unclogging Tips For The Homeowner

Clogs in your plumbing system are inevitable. Because all types of waste materials flow through your drain pipes, you can never tell when grease and other types of oily substances stick to the walls of the pipes. And once they stick to the tubes, they can catch other solid particles that float around then accumulate and result to nasty blockages. Fortunately, minor drain clogs are pretty easy to get rid of. If you’re looking for ideas on how to solve such a plumbing problem, here are some suggestions you might want to try!

1. Hot Water

 

If you want to remove grease in the pipes fast, you simply have to boil a kettle of water. Once it has boiled, pour it into the drain pipe to flush the oily substances. Now also inspect the P-trap under the sink. It’s a common place for oily substances to accumulate, too. Just get a heating pad and wrap it around the P-trap to melt the fats and oil inside the pipe.  You can also use your hair dryer to warm that part up. The bottom line is that hot temperature melts grease so its application on the pipe is an effective way to remove grease clogs.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar

 

Another popular unclogger is the combination of baking soda and vinegar. Just check your cupboard for your favorite baking soda and pour a cup of it into the drain. Next, get a cup of white vinegar and pour it into the drain pipe as well. Plug the hole with an old cloth or rag and let the two ingredients create a chemical reaction. They will fizz out the grease and sticky substances that linger inside the pipe.

3. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

 

If you want to clean your drain pipe and leave it smelling fresh, replace the vinegar with a cup of lemon juice. It will result to the same chemical reaction while also leave a refreshing smell in your pipe.

4. Alka Seltzer Tablets and Vinegar

 

Now let’s add a little touch of medicine in your plumbing! Drop four to five tables of Alka Seltzer into the drain hole. Follow up by pouring a cup of white vinegar into the pipe. These two will also create the same result.

5. Borax, Salt and Vinegar

 

You can also use a solution made from Borax, salt and vinegar to get rid of minor clogs in your drain. Combine ¼ cup of borax, ½ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of salt in a mixing bowl. Stir and then pour the solution in the drain. Follow up with a kettle of hot water and that will flush the grease inside the pipe.

6. Enzymatic Drain Cleaners

 

Enzymatic drain cleaners are also great cleaners! These are not chemicals but are bacteria-based cleaning agents that eat away on organic particles inside the pipe. They can dissolve food substances, algae, molds and hair strands, too. For precautionary measure, wear a pair of rubber gloves and eye glasses (or goggles) when you use enzyme cleaners. Be very careful because when they get in contact with your skin or eyes, they can leave nasty burns or injuries.

7. Air Cleaners

 

Air cleaners are devices that are used to shoot air into the drain pipe. These are available in the market so you won’t have a hard time looking for one.

8. Drain Rods / Hooks and Claws

 

Hooks, claws and drain rods are also valuable plumbing tools that will help you get rid of minor clogs in your plumbing system. You can buy these things from plumbing supply shops and home improvement centers.

We hope that you loved our blog about DIY drain unclogging. If you need help, just call the most reputed Reston plumber for your drain cleaning needs. Plumbers 911 Washington DC provides reliable plumbing services in Reston VA including drain pipe cleaning, leak detection, camera sewer inspection, toilet repair, backflow prevention and many more! Call us now at (877) 932-5325 to schedule a service!

Learn how to fix a clogged kitchen sink! Watch this video now.