8 Effective Ways to Clean Your Drains Properly
Have you ever stood in front of a sink/shower drain that seemingly takes an exhausting time to drain, or had a stale smell in your nose, despite scrubbing it out? This is also one of the most prevalent and off-putting domestic inconveniences that seems to spring up occasionally. Luckily, it is not only easy and cheap to maintain your drains clean, odour-free, and in perfect condition.
Using some simple tricks and with a bit of standard maintenance, it is possible to avoid the accumulation of debris and convert a small nuisance into a big issue. Whether you can resolve the problem on your own using common household products under or have come to the realisation that it is high time that you call in the experts, you can make sure that your plumbing is running well all year round.
1. Sherlock Diagnoses the Special Reason for Clogs
After determining the overall kind of garbage, the next step is locating the exact position of the clog, as per home maintenance cleaning. Grease is known to harden in the drain of hot water in the kitchen, forming an obstinate layer that entraps other food particles. Shower time in the bathroom is usually a victim of hair and mineral deposits of hard water. A homeowner can use a small flashlight to run into the drain or even a flexible camera that enables him to see visually the extent of the blockage. This specific diagnosis enables either the decision of a natural remedy or a mechanical instrument that makes the cleaning effort focus.
2. Boiling Water: The Easiest Solution
In the case of a slightly slow drain that does not reach the point of being entirely clogged, hard-boiled water will be your answer. All you have to do is boil a kettle of water and pour it into the drain, in two or three steps, with a little time in between. The heat is used to melt the fatty materials, soap, and other materials that have been deposited in the pipelines. It is a very easy method that can be used as a preventive measure just once or twice weekly to keep the water flowing freely and prevent the buildup of clogs over time.
3. Natural Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar
In case you are other the Earth-friendly methods, baking soda and vinegar would be your allies. This natural pair is the best way to reduce grime, completely removing smells, and making your drains’ scent fresh. Pour first half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then white vinegar in equal quantity. Wait for it to fizz and bubble for a period of more or less 15 to 20 minutes to get rid of the debris, then flush with hot water. It is a friendly method, non-toxic, and very soft on plumbing as well as the environment.
4. Mechanical Aids: Drain Snake and Plunger
Mechanical instruments are necessary when natural remedies fail to clear the jam. A drain snake, also called a plumbing auger, is a snake that is inserted deep into the pipe till it reaches the blockage. The action of turning the handle twists the cable and dislodges a strand of hair or a scaled skin, and once it is pushed back, the debris can be flushed out.
A plunger is driven by yet another principle where the pressure drives the obstruction out of the drain. The use of both tools should be moderate, i.e., using too much of them will ruin pipes, but a slow, constant movement should be enough to resume a normal flow. Once removed, hot water rinsing closes any free-floating particles.
5. Avoiding Harsh Chemical Cleaner
Even though the chemical drain cleaners assure a quick outcome, in most instances, they contain corrosive materials that may cause pipe erosion and even to the environment. They may even give out poisonous gas, hence making it unsafe to use them often. In case you are compelled to use the purchased cleaners, then use those that are enzyme-based or biodegradable. The latter is a process that breaks down organic material with the help of the natural enzymes without damaging the plumbing system. This makes it a safer and long-term measure of ensuring that the drains are healthy.
6. Cleaning the Drain Stopper and Strainer
In some cases, the issue is not even in the pipe but rather on the surface. Around the stopper or strainer, hair, dirt, and soap scum usually build up. The remedy is to remove the stopper, rinse it in hot and soapy water, and cleanse it with a toothbrush. It can then be rinsed thoroughly and then replaced. Making this simple cleaning step a routine can keep the major blocks away and also ensure the proper functioning of the drains.
7. Having a Routine Cleaning Schedule
The most important thing in preventing the clogging of the drains and the elimination of the odour is prevention. A very basic cleaning schedule will save you time and stress later. You would run your drains at least once or twice a week with boiling water, apply baking soda and vinegar after a month, and wash stoppers after a few months. By inserting the drain guards or hair catchers, the debris can also be averted so that the debris does not enter the drain. Regular service ensures that there are no massive clogs and flow of your drainage system.
8. Understanding When to Outsource
Even when your best efforts at clearing your drain have failed or the drain is still not clearing fast enough, smelly or blocked, or you notice that your drain is always getting blocked or stenchy, or the water is not going away, then it’s time to get a plumber. The plumbers or cleaners are professionals and are equipped with specialised tools like the hydro-jetters and drain cameras that enable them to locate and clear the stubborn clogs. The use of professionals implies that your drainage system will be well-maintained and will not require you to spend a fortune on it in the future because of its costly repair.
Conclusion
The trick to a healthy and hygienic house is to have your drains cleaned in professional cleaning. Such trivial yet efficient clean-up remedies, such as boiling water, natural cleaners, a routine cleaning schedule, etc, will see you out of those nasty smells, blockages, remove stains, and costly plumbing.
