4 Tips and Tricks To Clean Your Drains

Drains are the base of our homes, and as we use them daily for all kinds of activities, it’s crucial to maintain them properly for them to be functional. However, they often become places where dirt, food residue, hair and other stuff accumulate – it is something we cannot avoid. If not cleaned regularly and maintained correctly this can be a source of unsightly smells and even cause health issues as well as becoming a nuisance for anyone in the home. 

You need not wait for a blockage or an issue to call a plumber, instead, make sure you practice some drain care habits and you should be In the clear in most cases. If you don't know much about drain care and maintenance then here are some tips and tricks you can do to keep them clean and clog-free.

Keep reading to learn about cleaning the drains.

1. Try a proven homemade solution

One of the most potent homemade solutions for cleaning clogged drains is a combination of baking soda, vinegar and boiling water – products you most likely already own. You can start the process of cleaning the drains only by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain. The next step requires you to heat the vinegar in the microwave, which you also pour down the drain. When it reaches the baking soda, vinegar will cause a reaction, making a bubbling effect.

You should leave it reacting for 5 minutes, and as the final step, you should pour boiling water down the drain. You can repeat the procedure in all drains around your home, and you can practice it once a month. Not cleaning the pipes will cause a horrible smell but also blockages. And we should try to keep the drains and sinks clean as they’re just centimetres away from our hands and the food we wash.

2. Use specialised tools

Some other things that can come in handy when it comes to dealing with blocked drains are specialised tools. The chances are that you already own a bathroom or a sink plunger. It is the perfect tool for clogged drains. Whichever plunger you own, the technique is the same. What you need to do is to cover the entire drain opening with a plunger and to press it continuously back and forth for about 1 to 2 minutes.

There is no need for pushing the plunger with excess force or speed because the secret of unclogging the drain lies in slow building up of pressure. If the troublesome fixture also has an overflow vent, remember to cover these vents up. If you don’t secure them, your efforts will be meaningless.

3. Get yourself a drain snake

A drain snake is a pretty useful tool, especially if you often have trouble with clogged pipes. It’s a tool professional plumbers use for removing buildup in pipes. You can find it in any hardware store for a reasonable price. Even though it is a tool professionals use, everyone can master the technique as it involves a few simple steps.

The first thing you need to do is to put the snake down the drain and turn the handle clockwise until you feel resistance. Next, you need to rotate the tool against the blockage so that it can be fixed to all that buildup. And finally, you need to pull the snake up together with the things that clogged your drains and put your drain cover back. It is, in fact, that simple.

4. Maintain your drains

In the long run, it’s essential to maintain your drains consistently. You can do that in a few simple ways. For starters, cover the drain openings with strainers, so they can catch all the food residue and hair and prevent it from entering the drains.

Remember to run hot water after using the fixture as it can remove any fresh buildup. And follow the first tip mentioned here: a solution with baking soda and vinegar. If you do all of these things, there are fewer chances for you ever to need a plunger or a drain snake.

For the drains in your home to last long, you need to take care of them. Follow these simple steps, and you’re on the right track. However, if you have a problematic or unconventional drain system, these things might not help to a great extent, and you might need help from a professional plumbing service.

About the author

Ayla Anderson is an avid reader and an enthusiastic blogger who writes articles on home improvement, business, Family and beauty. She is also an MBA student who spends much of her time advising new small businesses on how to grow their businesses.

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