DIY Drain Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Clogged drains are a common household annoyance that can lead to some pretty unpleasant consequences. It’s important to have a plan in place for dealing with these issues so you can avoid costly repairs and keep your home running smoothly. Thankfully, there are many DIY drain cleaning tips and tricks that you can try before calling in the professionals.
One of the most common causes of clogged drains is food, oil, and grease (FOG). FOG can solidify in your pipes and restrict water flow. Fortunately, it’s usually fairly easy to break up FOG with a little bit of patience and a few household items. Liquid dish soap is often an excellent choice for tackling FOG clogs. To use, simply mix a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap with two liters of boiling water and pour down the affected drain. The hot water will help to break up any remaining FOG and flush it away.
Baking soda and vinegar is another tried-and-true homemade drain cleaner that can work wonders. To use this method, start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain followed immediately by a cup of white vinegar. You should notice a fizzing action as the ingredients begin to work their magic. Allow this to sit for a half hour to an hour or more, and then flush the drain with a pot of boiling water. Repeat as necessary for stubborn clogs.
Borax is another effective DIY drain cleaner that can replace baking soda in some cases. To use, stir together a combination of 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup salt, and 2 tbsp cream of tartar. Next, pour this mixture down the clogged drain and let it sit for about an hour. Finally, flush the drain with a pot of boiling hot water. Like most of the other DIY drain cleaning methods, you may need to repeat this for severe clogs.
While it’s always best to avoid chemical drain cleaners, there are times when they may be the only option. If you’ve exhausted all of the above methods, you can always reach for a plumber snake to get rid of stubborn and persistent blockages. Just be careful when using this tool as it can corrode your pipes if not used correctly.
Store-bought drain cleaners are often filled with harsh and harmful chemicals that can damage your pipes over time. Instead, try these natural, safe, and effective DIY drain cleaning tips and tricks to save yourself some money and hassle.