When your drain isn’t working properly, it can be a headache. Everyday tasks become sources of stress in your life, and none of us need additional issues to worry about.
Luckily, a few DIY methods can be used to unclog your pipes. Gotelli Plumbing wants to help you resolve minor clogs quickly and recognize when you need professional drain cleaning services.
What Causes Drain Clogs?
Your pipes accumulate more debris than you think. While showering and washing dishes, dirt and other substances may start to build up. There are a few common causes of drain clogs to be aware of when trying to clear yours out.
Hair
Hair is a prime culprit when you have a clogged system. The strands will expand when wet, causing them to tangle and prevent adequate water flow. Hair-related clogs can become a complex and twisted mess. They can cause rather severe problems if the issue isn’t corrected.
Minerals
Minerals from your water, mainly hard water, can build up over time inside your drain. The sediment accumulation can easily cause a blockage that prevents water from draining efficiently.
Soap Residue
The soaps we use to wash our hands and bodies can leave residue and grease in our pipes. Over time, this leftover material can build up and contribute to hair and other irritating clog culprits.
DIY Plumbing Tips
Before calling a plumber, you can attempt to clear your drain using a few DIY tactics. If the issue is caused by a minor clog, you could save a lot of time by dislodging it with one of these methods.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
The first thing you might think to use to clear your pipes is a chemical drain cleaner. While these chemicals serve as a temporary solution, they can also have a negative impact on your pipes.
Chemical cleaners can bore a hole in blockages, which allows some water through and makes it seem like your clog is cleared. Regardless, if the entire clog isn’t taken care of, that hole will collect debris again, and you’ll be back where you started.
The chemicals used in these cleaners are designed to be very harsh because they need to eat through really tough blockages. However, that same acidity can linger in your pipes and corrode them. The residue can also cling to the faucet or drain openings and come into contact with your skin. It’s best to avoid using chemical cleaners to prevent pipe damage or personal injury.
Use A Natural Drain Cleaner
With a few household items, your clogged drain could be a thing of the past. Homemade drain cleaners work efficiently to remove buildup in your pipes without damaging the material. A few DIY solutions to try are:
- Hot Water: Pouring hot water down your drain can do wonders for dissolving and dislodging clogs.
- Baking Soda, Vinegar and Water: When hot, this method works in several ways to loosen and move the clog.
- Vinegar Ice Cubes: When vinegar and water are frozen into ice cubes, the mixture clears grime using cold temperatures and the acidity of the vinegar.
- Dish Detergent – Dish soap is designed to clean food residue and grease from dishes, so it can also help do the same down the drain.
If these methods don’t work, a professional drain cleaning service will clear any obstructions from your pipes.
Utilize A Drain Snake
A drain snake is a flexible tool used to clear pipe clogs. It’s a long cable with a coiled end that can reach deep into pipes. Inserting and maneuvering the snake can break apart or dislodge a clog, allowing water to flow freely again. This helps prevent potential pipe backups and overflow.
San Rafael Drain Cleaning Services You Can Trust
If you’ve attempted DIY drain cleaning and nothing is working, a professional plumbing service can help! Gotelli Plumbing makes quick work of the toughest clogs by using reliable plumbing tools. You can count on us for all your plumbing solutions. Contact us to schedule your next drain cleaning service!
