The no-frills approach for unclogging your drains
The no-frills approach for unclogging your drains
Everyone experiences clogged drains at some time and when they occur it is not fun. In case of a complete blockage, the bathtub, sink, shower and the toilet can get filled with waste water that you have used. In such instances, this frustrating blockage will require you to put in a great deal of work, including the removal of all the accumulated deposits in the drains, and it is not likely you will find a remedy with typical domestic cleaning materials. At times like this, calling a professional plumber can cost you a fortune. As the severity of the blockage increases, the costs also rise. Only when multiple blockages occur in your house may you then you realise the mistake of not taking precautionary measures.
Why do drains get blocked?.
The first thing that is responsible for clogging of drains is your own carelessness. To prevent your kitchen drain from getting clogged, the drain strainer should be used regularly to pull off the food particles from the drain. A buildup of these particles can easily clog the drain. Accumulation of cooking grease or oil in the drain pipes can make the situation even worse. When it comes to toilets, it is the excessive flushing of the toilet paper which can cause the blockage.
Tossing waste items not meant to be flushed down the toilet also worsens the situation. Items like baby wipes, paper towels and sanitary napkins can cause a blockage immediately or over a period of time. Accumulation of hair in the pipes can lead to clogging of bathroom sinks, showers and bathtubs. Items such as shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, hair gel, exacerbate the problem as they produce a build up that further adds to the blockage.
It is sometimes very unfortunate that these blockages can occur irrespective of what we put into our drains. The other things which are known to incur drainage problems are tree roots, scale, rusted pipelines and damaged drain lines.
Remedies for Drain Clog.
Try using acids and other suitable chemical products to clear drain blockages. However these chemicals might have an adverse effect on your pipes and also on your health and environment. Luckily, there are also natural methods of clearing drain blockages. For example, one method is to frequently run very hot water down the drains. Another method employs baking soda and vinegar. Just run some vinegar into the stubborn drain before sprinkling it with baking soda. Wait for 15 minutes so that the mixtures sets in properly and then wash it off with boiling water to clear the blockage.
Inspect and Prevent Instead.
Your home plumbing system works similarly to any mechanical device, tool or motor vehicle. A periodic checkup and maintenance schedule can keep your drains running smoothly. You can take the initiative and inspect the drains yourself as you are most familiar with the way your drains work. Or you can get a qualified plumber to inspect your household drains regularly and save yourself a lot of expensive hassle. It is advisable to have a plumber “snake” all of your drainpipes at least roughly once a year, as a means of preventing blockages. If the problems persist and your drain blockages are more chronic, get the drainage snaked more often. You can also use a video inspection service for the major pipelines regularly.
Regular inspection of the drains is important as the blockage can cost you a lot and not too forget it can be quite irritating too.