A clogged drain is a household nuisance that sooner or later everyone faces. The cause of stagnant water is usually grease clogsThe plumbing can be cleaned with grease plugs, food residue, hair or soap scum buildup. You don’t have to call a handyman or buy caustic chemicals right away to get your plumbing working again. There are several proven methods that can help restore pipe clearance quickly and safely.
Available home methods
The easiest and most environmentally friendly way to deal with a small clog is to use a baking soda and ordinary table vinegar. The interaction of these components causes a violent chemical reaction with the release of carbon dioxide, which literally “loosens” dense dirt from the inside.
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Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain.
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Fill with the same amount of vinegar.
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Cover the opening with a cork for 15-20 minutes.
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Flush the system with plenty of hot water.
For fighting grease deposits in the kitchen, a common one is excellent boiling water. The hot water effectively dissolves the congealed grease, allowing it to be flushed further down the drain. However, this method should be used with caution if you have plastic corrugated pipes, which can be deformed by excessively high temperatures.
Mechanical action
If chemical methods do not work, it is worth resorting to physical removal of the obstacle. The most recognizable tool here is plunger. It creates a hydraulic shock that pushes or pulls out the plug.
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Press the rubber bowl firmly against the drain.
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Make several sharp up and down movements.
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Pull the plunger sharply away from the surface.
In more difficult cases, when the clog is deep in the knee or riser, an effective solution is to plumbing rope. It is a flexible steel spring that can go through pipe bends and break up even hard deposits. When working with the cable, it is important to make rotational motions to catch the debris and extract it outward.
Clog Prevention
To prevent the problem from recurring, it is important to pay attention to preventing the accumulation of dirt. The use of special protective nets to catch hair and food residues will significantly extend the life of the drainage system. It is also a good idea to flush the drain once a week with hot water and a little dish detergent to break down fresh deposits.
Regular maintenance of your plumbing system avoids emergencies and keeps your home cleaner for longer.
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