Have a Clogged Drain?
Having a clogged drain can be frustrating. It is even more so when most of the available liquid solutions are filled with dangerous chemicals that are bad for the environment and bad for health. Take a look at these natural ways to clear clogged pipes.
Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain
Is there anything more natural than water? Using boiling water is one of the easiest ways to clear a clogged drain. Fill the drain with as much boiling water as it will hold. In increments, pour the water in slowly. Allow the water to sit for a moment in between each pour. Boiling water is usually very effective for clogs, but if this doesn’t work, have a look at the other ways to unclog a drain.
Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar
Using a mix of baking soda and vinegar is a step up from using only boiling water. Vinegar on its own is great at cleaning nasty build-ups, but it’s almost magical when combined with baking soda. Mixing baking soda and vinegar produces a strong chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is great at dislodging slime and gunk from pipes.
First, pour a little boiling water down the drain. Second, add a mix of half vinegar and half of baking soda. Third, add more boiling water. The mix will fizz up from the drain. The drain can be covered to keep all the ingredients down, but it’s not required. Leave the drain alone for about ten minutes before pouring more boiling water down the drain.
Drop the Vinegar and Add Salt
This solution is similar to the one with vinegar and baking soda. Salt and baking soda also produce a strong chemical reaction that is excellent at destroying pipe buildup. Combine an equal amount of salt and baking soda and then pour the mixture down the drain. Wait for 20 minutes before pouring boiling water down the drain. If the pipes are still clogged, it’s time to get more physical.
Take the Pipes Apart
Take the pipes apart and physically clean them out. Cleaning the pipes this way can be messy and gross, but it could be what’s needed for some of the worst clogs.
Place a bucket below the U-shaped pipe to catch the dirty water. Use a plumber’s wrench to loosen the bolts on the U-shaped pipe. Remove the pipe and dump out the excess water. Clean the pipe out and make sure the block is cleared. Clear out the pipe leading up to the drain as well. Rinse out the U-shape pipe before reattaching.
Still Have a Problem?
In most cases, the previous moves will be more than enough to unclog a drain. In general, you need to create a habit for yourself to clean your drains at home on a daily basis. However, not everyone is comfortable with taking apart pipes to clean them. In this case, it’s a good idea to call the plumber and have them clean the pipes.
