3 Really Simple Ways to Unclog a Drain without Using Chemical Cleaners
Every household has had to deal with a clogged drain at some point. For the most part, clogged drains are a nuisance. However, leaving a clogged drain unresolved for an extended period of time can lead to dire consequences like sewage backups, which may cause thousands of dollars in clean up and repairs.
Many homeowners instinctively grab a bottle of chemical drain cleaner the moment they find a clogged drain. Unfortunately, pouring cleaner down the drain may cause more harm than good. Some chemical cleaners are highly corrosive and may damage the interiors of your home’s piping as it clears out the clog. This can lead to even more clogs developing or even severe damage to your home’s plumbing system.
Fortunately, there are a lot of easy ways to unclog a drain using everyday items you have at home. These home remedies are highly recommended because they don’t ruin your plumbing, yet they are strong enough to get rid of most clogs. The next time you have a clogged drain, try any of the following solutions:
1. Hot Water and Dishwashing Liquid
This is the simplest clogged drain home remedy. It should also be the first one you try since it’s a non-corrosive method. Take a kettle or pot, fill it with tap water, and bring the whole thing to a boil. Once the water is boiling, mix in some dishwashing liquid, and stir the solution. Pour this mixture down the problematic drain bit by bit, pausing every now and then to allow the mixture to work its magic.
Why does something so simple work so well? Dishwashing liquid is specially formulated to break down oils, making them more water soluble. Boiling water helps soften coagulated chunks of grease and turns these chunks into a more fluid state. This makes it easier for the dishwashing liquid to break apart the oils.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are usually known as the ingredients for the lava of any model volcano. What some people might not know is that the chemical reaction of these two everyday household products is actually strong enough to clear clogs caused by grease build up.
Pour half a cup of baking soda down the problematic drain and follow that up by pouring a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain overnight or at least while you’re away at work during the day. This will give the baking soda and vinegar enough time to react and break down grease build up and anything else it may have caught. After enough time has passed, pour boiling water down the drain to wash away the grease and any excess baking soda.
3. Warm Coke
Coke and other colas are notorious for eroding enamel, but did you know that the same beverage can actually break apart clogs as well? It’s true! Grab a bottle of Coke and leave it out on the kitchen counter until it’s at room temperature or slightly warmer. Once it reaches the desired temperature, pour a generous amount down the clogged drain. Allow the cola to fizz and settle down before pouring more down the drain. After an hour, pour boiling water down the drain to wash away what’s left of the clog.
This home remedy is especially effective thanks to the presence of phosphoric acid in colas, which means you can use any brand of cola and not just Coke. The phosphoric acid is strong enough to break apart grease and food debris when given enough time. As an added bonus, phosphoric acid can also clear up any mineral scales forming inside your pipes.
These home remedies are incredibly useful since you probably have everything you need laying around in your home at any given time. On top of this, these remedies can also be used one after the other if you find yourself facing a relatively stubborn clog.
I’ve tried all of these home remedies, but my drain is still clogged!
There are times when even a combination of these home remedies will fail to completely clear out a clogged drain. If this is the case with your drains, it may be time to call an experienced plumbing service like FIXME Plumbing. Professional plumbers carry a wide range of tools and equipment to help clear out the most stubborn of clogged drains. They can also help you install measures that help reduce the chances of your drains clogging up again in the future.
