Drain Cleaning - Maintenance and Unclogging

Without your pipes, you don't have a plumbing system. They are the backbone of the entire system, bringing water into your home and flushing waste away. When there is a clog, however, that smoothly running system comes to a quick halt. Any number of things can lead to these clogs, including cooled grease, hair, and even pasta. When these clogs develop, you have two choices: you can attempt to get rid of them yourself or you can call out a drain plunger professional or building plunger service providers. While stubborn clogs may demand the latter, here are some things you can do on your own to keep your pipes running smoothly.

Maintenance

One of the best things you can do to keep your pipes clean and open is to make up a mixture combining both vinegar and baking soda. This foaming, fizzy mixture does wonders when it comes to keeping gunk from sticking to the perimeter of your pipes. You can create this concoction before pouring it down the sink or you can simply dump the baking soda down and then immediately follow it with vinegar. A cup of each should do the trick. Follow all of this with a few quarts of boiling water, and you'll have a chemical reaction that tough sediment can't stand up to. This not only works as a great preventative measure, but it can serve as light drain cleaning as well.

The Perfect Tool

You don't have to spend a fortune buying expensive plumbing tools to handle some simply drain cleaning. Often, the best tool for the job is your sewer plunger. You can pick up a small, standard sink plunger for a few bucks at the local hardware store for your sink unblocking, and it will serve you well when you find yourself with a clog on your hands. Make sure you fill the sink or tub with a couple of inches of water so you can get the best suction possible when you begin to use the tool. In some cases, the plunger may not do the trick. You may want to use a bent coat hanger or a specialized plumber's snake to gutter unblocking remove the clogging material from the pipes in those instances.

Chemicals Commercial drain cleaning products sell well and can work efficiently against certain types of clogs, but they should be used sparingly. While using a bottle here and there isn't going to cause any major problems, repeated use of these chemicals can lead to a host of problems. This includes a degradation of the pipes themselves. This could lead to a leak within the walls, which is more trouble than a simple clog would ever warrant. If you are at the point where you are frequently turning to these chemicals, a call to a plumber may be in order for more professional methods.