A clogged drain is a common problem that homeowners will encounter from time to time. Buying those chemical-based solutions at the store may be handy, but the costs can build up over time and the chemicals can affect your sink’s plumbing system. Luckily, you can find a natural drain cleaner right in the pantry of your home. Our specialists at HomeX Plumbing & Rooter want to share four natural unclogging solutions you can use without having to leave home.
What Could Get Clogged In Your Drain?
A lot of things go down your kitchen drain daily. What are some things that are more likely to get clogged? Some of these items include:
- Fat, oil or grease
- Starches
- Coffee Grounds
- Soap Scum
- Stringy or hard food scraps
For most of these types of clogs, there are chemical-based solutions that could clear your drains. While they do often work, they can also damage your pipes further. The harsh chemicals could wear out your pipes and lead to cracks and leaks in your system. Regardless of what’s in your clogged drain, there are also natural ways to get them removed.
Need To Clean Your Pipes Of Food?
If you have food scraps in your drain, there is a homemade solution you can use. All you need is boiling water, baking soda and vinegar.
First, pour the water into the drain. Then, add half a cup of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar mixed with hot water. From there, all you need to do is let the mixture sit for 20 minutes and then flush the drain with hot water. This will break down those food scraps and get your pipes draining again.
Need To Clear Grease Clogs?
Grease clogs happen often for kitchen sinks. Grease is one of those things that you shouldn’t pour down your drain, but it can happen accidentally. To clear out a grease clog, you’ll need a mixture that is ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of salt.
Pour this mixture down the drain with a quart of boiling water. This mixture will scrape the grease from the pipes. After that, you can let the mixture sit overnight and flush it down in the morning. This should remove any grease that’s sticking to your pipes.
Need To Remove A Large Item?
When you have a large, solid item in your drain that is making it difficult to pump water into it, try one of these two tools to remove the clog.
Hand Auger
Hand augers pull whatever is clogging your drain out from the top. It’s a long cable with a corkscrew-like end that will latch onto your clog. All you need to do is insert the tip into the drain and push it until it reaches the clog. Once it grabs hold, simply pull the clog out from the surface. From here, you can properly dispose of the item.
Plunger
Plungers are a great tool to use for clogged drains. They push the clog through the pipes by creating a vacuum between the clog and the opening. In order to use the plunger properly, you must have at least 1 inch of standing water in your sink. Pump the plunger in the drain a couple of times until you have loosened up the clog.
HomeX And Our Anaheim Drain Services
If you need tips on how to unclog a drain, HomeX can help! We offer plumbing services to get your pipes cleared from any debris as well as any at-home installations you may need. If you’re having trouble clearing a clog, contact us today!
