If your drains are backing up and you don’t want to wait for professional help, you may want to come up with a quick solution to resolve the problem. Chemical drain cleaners may be the first thing that you reach for in this kind of situation. However, sometimes these chemicals can do more harm than good, and they’re not necessarily always the best solution.
Many plumbers frown upon the use of chemical drain cleaners due to many reasons. First of all, these chemicals are toxic and can be extremely hazardous to children, pets, and yourself. Second, drain cleaning chemicals can wear down your pipes. This means that you may cause another problem from this “quick” solution. Third, the chemicals you use may only be effective for some things and not for others. For example, they may work for dissolving hair in the drains, but they may not able to do so for pieces of food or grease. Worse, they can even push the blockage further along the drains, which means more trouble for you.
Now that you know what you should not do, let’s get into some real solutions. Instead of pouring harmful chemical cleaners bought from a store down your drain, you should try these following solutions:
Sprinkle Baking Soda
Assuming that you only experience a minor clog in a sink or tub drain, you can try using baking soda. Just sprinkle a few tablespoons into the drain. Then, pour a cup of vinegar down, chasing it with a pot of boiling water.
Try a Plunger
If the clog is not affecting several drains, you should always reach for a plunger as your first tool. For the clog that is coming from the toilet, be sure to use a plunger with a flange to create more pressure. When you pull your plunger up and down, make sure that you use the same amount of pressure. If the clog is stubborn, you may have to plunge over twenty times. Get ready for an arm workout!
Go For Hydro Jetting
Finally, the most effective solution for drain unclogging is hydro jetting. This method uses a long thin hose to shoot high-pressure water from the lining of the drains and into the sewer lines. This is effective for removing grease and other excess residues from the pipes. As a result, the pipes will be thoroughly clean, and future blockage can be prevented.
Conclusion
These are some solutions that you can try by yourself to clear the blockage that is clogging up your drains. However, if you don’t have the appropriate tools or if the problems require professional assistance, then it’s time to contact a trusted plumbing company for help.
Morey PHC provides emergency plumbing repairs in San Diego, California. Get in touch today to see how we can help. We’re available 24/7!
