Learn the Best Way to Keep Drain Pipes Clean
Drains of all kinds can clog in your home. Hair, soap scum, organic waste, and other messes cause blockages in your pipes that lead to slow-draining water. One way to prevent pesky sink, shower, and tub clogs is with DIY routine maintenance to your home’s plumbing system. If you run into a clog you can’t clear, the trusted pros at Patrick’s Heating & Air Conditioning in Ocala, FL, can help with drain cleaning and maintenance.
How to Keep Drains Clean
When you know how to prevent clogged drains, you can avoid more severe plumbing problems that require expert services.
Routinely clean your plumbing system by:
- Busting up blockages. Use a homemade buildup cleaner that you can make with ingredients around your home. Pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar into your sink or tub drain. Immediately seal the drain and let the mixture sit in the drain for 15 minutes. To flush clogs and eliminate odors, pour several cups of boiling water (about a kettle’s worth) down the drain.
- Choosing enzymatic or bacterial cleaner over harsh chemicals. One of the biggest problems with chemical cleaners is that they can corrode your pipes, leading to irreversible damage. These non-toxic drain cleaner options are safer for consistent use in your plumbing.
- Scouring your kitchen disposal. Garbage disposals often trap organic waste, leading to blockages and nasty odors. Clean it by running a few cups of ice cubes, a few tablespoons of coarse salt, and some lemon or orange peel through the disposal.
- Preventing hair from going in the drain. Learning how to keep hair from clogging the shower drain is essential for larger households or people with long hair. Invest in a mesh screen or drain cover, clear out surface hair after every shower, and use a barbed clog-clearing tool monthly to fish out clumps near the top of your pipes.
- Keeping grease out of your sink. Oils and fats should never go down the kitchen sink. Wipe out greasy pans with a disposable paper towel before washing them. If you need to drain grease while cooking, pour it into an old can. You can store the can in your fridge or freezer and throw it out when full.
- Making a regular cleaning schedule. Routine maintenance is vital to keep drains clear. It’s best to clean your bathroom drains about once a month and flush your kitchen sink with boiling water once a week. You may need to clean more often if you have a large household or use your drains frequently.
How to Clear Clogged Drain Pipes When They Happen
Even with regular maintenance, your pipes can still clog.
If your sink or tub is draining sluggishly, here’s what you can do to get rid of the blockage:
- Get out the plunger. You can plunge any drain, not just a toilet. Use a bell-shaped plunger to dislodge clogs. Keep things clean by using a separate plunger for the toilet. To unclog a sink, tub, or shower, snugly fit the plunger head over the opening and run water until it covers the drain. A few firm pumps will usually remove the clog.
- Pour biological cleaners. These environmentally safe cleaners don’t just work for regular maintenance. They can also dislodge and break up clogs.
- Clear the top of your drain with a tool. Use a specially made barbed drain-cleaning tool to remove blockages within easy reach. If you don’t have access to one, you can bend a wire coat hanger into a small hook as a replacement.
- Use a pressurized blast. Some cleaners use air or water pressure to dislodge clogs. If you’re using an aerosolized cleaner, make sure the device seals tightly over your drain, or get an adapter to make it fit.
Request Professional Drain Cleaning in Ocala, FL
If these DIY strategies don’t unclog your drains, turn to the reliable plumbers at Patrick’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re happy to unblock stubborn clogs or deal with blockages in your Central Florida home, so you don’t have to. Our drain cleaning services will keep your pipes clear and let you run water without worry.
Call us at (352) 329-3740 or contact us online for a free estimate on select plumbing services.