A clogged drain can cause many problems in your home. If it’s not directly causing you to slip or fall, it’s wasting your money on water and sewerage fees, not to mention the inconvenience of having to do your washing elsewhere. There are a number of reasons why a drain can back up, but there are a few simple steps you can take to minimize the chances of this happening. Since household drains are used so often, they need to be cleaned from time to time. Cleaning your drains can go a long way in staving off a visit from your trusted local plumber. Overall, knowing how to perform basic drain cleaning can save you tons of time and money in the long run. Keep on reading to learn everything you need about drain cleaning.
When To Clean Your Drains
There are a few factors to consider when it comes to deciding when to clean your drain. The first and foremost is how well the drain is operating. If the water is overflowing or isn’t going through the drain, then you have a clog, which may require professional plumbing services. Another sign to look out for is unusual or unpleasant smells coming from the drain. This is often caused by bacteria that build up inside the drain line, usually due to the presence of contaminants. Getting the drain clean could clear the contaminants and stop a clog from forming. Even if you’re not experiencing any trouble or bad odours, it’s never a bad idea to clean a drain from time to time. You can do this periodically throughout the year to prevent a lot of issues from ever coming up.
How To Clean A Drain
Now that we know when to clean it, let’s look at the how. There are different methods you could use. To start with, make sure the sink is clean; you can use abrasives like salt and ice to help scour it. You could scrub it with citrus peels - citric acid is a powerful cleaner and smells great. To clean the drain, the first thing you’re going to want to use is hot water. The hotter, the better, but be careful not to burn yourself. Pouring it down the drain can help to soften up anything that could be forming there. From here, you can try one of these methods. First, you can use oil-dissolving dish soap to pour down the drain. This can help to break up oils and contaminants that are causing clogging. This is a great way to get your drain clear of oils and debris and keep it functional. Second, you can use baking powder and vinegar. Keep in mind that combining these two may create a mess, so make sure to do it over the sink. The chemical reaction from these two ingredients creates foaming bubbles and carbonic acid, which can act like scouring pads inside the drain and help clean it.
Drain Cleaning 101
While DIY drain maintenance is important, if you have a drain that is slow or that backs up, then it might be time for you to get it cleaned by a professional. It can be easy to fix a simple block in some cases, but if you’re facing a deeper problem in your plumbing system, you may want to consider calling in the pros. Reach out to us at Pitton Plumbing & Heating Inc. for all your drain cleaning and plumbing needs in Hamilton and surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about our professional plumbing services.