The best homemade drain cleaner is baking soda. Baking soda can be used along with vinegar or lemon juice to create a strong and effective homemade drain cleaner that is safe for your home's pipes.
To unclog your drains using baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice, pour one cup of baking soda then one cup of white vinegar or lemon juice down the drain. Allow this to sit for an hour then pour down a few cups of boiling water. If this doesn’t work the first time, repeat as necessary.
If your homemade drain cleaner isn’t working, call an experienced provider of drain cleaning plumbers near you to take a look. A professional plumber will be able to determine what is causing the clogged drain and how to fix it.
Chemical drain cleaners do work, depending on the type of clog you have and how tough it is. Chemical drain cleaners work by creating a chemical reaction in your pipes.
When using chemical drain cleaners, always make sure to choose the right type of cleaner for the job. Also, make sure you know what kind of pipes you have, and how old they are so you can avoid using any chemical drain cleaner that might damage your pipes. Older pipes can become damaged due to the chemical reaction created by chemical drain cleaners. This can lead to bigger issues, like leaking pipes, and the need for plumbing repair services.
To avoid damage, physical methods are always best. Plunging or snaking a drain will ensure that it is not damaged by chemicals. When in doubt, call a drain cleaning plumber for professional advice and assistance.
Drain cleaners can be bad for pipes. This is particularly true for chemically costic drain cleaners.
Chemical drain cleaners create a chemical reaction in your pipes. This results in heat being emitted. It is this heat that can be bad for your pipes. Older and plastic pipes, especially, can be damaged by chemical drain cleaners. If you have plastic pipes and you use a chemical cleaner, the heat may melt the plastic. This can result in leaks and further damage. As well, drain cleaners are not good for septic systems.
To avoid damaging your pipes, try another method of unclogging your pipe first. If you’re unsure, call a professional drain cleaning plumber services provider to help you get the job done right.
If your drain is clogged with hair, baking soda can dissolve hair in a drain.
To try this safe and easy method at home - first, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar (white vinegar) down. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes. Keep an eye out for bubbling in the drain (this is caused by the reaction between the baking soda and vinegar). Once the bubbling stops, wait a few more minutes then pour some boiling water down the drain. Repeat until the clog is cleared. Keep at it, it can take a long time.
With a heavy-duty clog, you might need something more powerful. In this case, try snaking the drain, plunging it or calling a local Edmonton drain cleaning company to get the job done.
