You’ve got a clog in your drain and your sink or tub refuses to drain. You may be tempted to run to the store to buy a powerful, chemical drain cleaner; however, these products are often damaging to the environment, sometimes unhealthy for your plumbing and usually require you to lock kids and pets out of the bathroom for fear of burns. Luckily, plenty of environmentally-safe drain cleaners exist, and you might already have some of them on hand.
Baking soda is one component of a green drain cleaner that most people have. Combine a handful with half a cup of vinegar and the resulting foam will help to clear away those stubborn clogs. Don’t use this method after caustic cleaners, however, as the vinegar can react and cause dangerous fumes. Follow up with boiling water to get the most out of your home-made drain cleaner. Alternatively, heat a 1/2 cup of salt with four liters of water and pour down your drain. Consider squeezing a little lemon into your drain, which helps freshen up your plumbing, especially in the kitchen.
As environmental conscientiousness has increased in popularity, so have green products that you can purchase right from the store. These drain cleaners often rely on natural bacteria to eat through clogs in your drains without damaging your pipes or the Earth in the process.
A drain snake or plunger might require a little more elbow grease, but sometimes physically removing the cause of your drain blockage is just what the plumber ordered. Snakes are especially useful if hair is the cause of your problem. If you’re not familiar with the tools, however, or you can’t seem to get the entirety of the clot, consider calling in a professional to the job. This is also true if you’re worried that your pipes are old and corroded, as plunging can create breaks or other damage, which leads to problems much worse than a simple, backed-up drain.
Have more questions, we’ve got answers! Contact Mr Fix It Plumbing in Long Beach at (562) 988-2454 to discuss your home’s plumbing today.
