Clogged drains do not bring joy to people and they are often caused by grease build-up that most homeowners would like to steer clear of. Accumulation of debris in the drain system can also clog household drains, which is literally inevitable due to daily use. However, the good news is there are some home remedies that can solve the problem easily for you to consider. To learn more about the simple remedies that you can implement to clear a clogged drain, keep on reading.
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Types of Green Solutions to Unclog Drains
When your kitchen sink or tub is clogged, you don’t stress a lot since you can easily solve the problem by using a DIY home remedy. Through this website, you will know that it’s possible to repair existing sewers without replacing the existing pipes as long as they are not broken. If the sewer pipes are not badly damaged by corrosion, there is no need for replacement. You can use simple green solutions that help clear the drain without causing further damage. However, before doing anything to it, proper diagnosis is required and it is wise to consult professionals to have a look at it if you are unsure of what to do.
Hot Water and Dish Soap
Grease build-up is common, especially in the kitchen drainage system, which can lead to blockage. The simple home remedy that you can use to break up grease clogs includes hot water and dish soap solution. You can boil two liters of water, then add a few tablespoons of the liquid dish soap.
This method is effective since the hot water heats the grease melting it into a liquid form such that it can easily flow down the drain. You need to be patient when you use this method since grease clogs cannot break down easily. When the water starts to flow easily down the drain, you can run the tap so that it cleans all obstacles within the system.
Baking Soda, Table Salt, Vinegar, and Boiling Water
No home is without table salt, baking soda, and vinegar, which are the major ingredients for clearing clogged pipes. You can pour a cup of table salt, a cup of white vinegar, and a cup of baking soda down the drain of the kitchen sink. Leave the contents to sit for about ten minutes to allow them to break the buildup in the drain.
You should then flush the drain with boiling water, which should wash away all debris. This natural remedy is simple, and also friendly to the environment. You need to be patient while waiting for the solution to dissolve the debris blocking the pipe. However, if the problem persists, that is when you can consider calling a plumber.
Use a Coat Hanger to Remove Debris
The other simple method that you can use to clear a clogged drain involves a coat hanger. All you need to do is unfold the hanger and straighten it, leaving the hook in front. You then insert the hanger into the drain, using the hook at the end of the hanger to fish hair particles and other debris that might be clogging the pipe.
When using this method, you should constantly pour in water to see if the passageway in the pipe is clear. After removing the hair and dirt build-up in the pipe, you can then pour hot water down the sink to remove the remaining debris on the sides of the pipe.
Use a Plunger
You can also try the method of using a plunger to force the buildup and other debris down the drainage system. You can apply this method on a kitchen sink that cannot be cleared by a hook since the pipe is curved underneath. Food particles get stuck inside the curved pipe and this is when you can use a plunger to force the debris down the drain.
Get the right plunger that fits the hole of the pipe, then half fill the sink with warm water. Force the water down the pipe using a plunger to clear the buildup. You only need to apply minimum force repeatedly and the drain will clear.
Alternatively, you can remove the U-shaped trap underneath the sink which is often clogged with buildup. Put a bucket underneath to collect water from the trap. When the trap has drained all water, you can clean it manually. Then you can dislodge the blockages using a coat hanger. When the trap is clean, replace it and run some water and it will flow smoothly.
A clogged drain can be annoying when you realize that dirty water cannot move down the system. However, you can easily resolve such a problem by using the simple green solutions outlined above. Green solutions are free of toxic chemicals that can affect your health and the environment. Toxic chemicals can also eat away the pipes in the long run, which can also lead to a bigger problem.
