Need to know how to unclog a drain? You’ve come to the right place!
Drains can get downright nasty…believe us, we’ve seen the worst. Wondering what’s the best way to remove those stubborn clogs that are causing slow drains? First of all, put down the liquid plumbers. Those can actually do more harm than good. The best solution is one your mom or grandmother might have used…a nice combination of vinegar and baking soda. Sometimes, the most simple things are the most effective. Let the unclogging begin…
First, let’s gather our supplies:
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
Instructions:
- Boil approximately 5 cups of water.
- Pour the boiling hot water down your drain.
- After pouring, dump in 1/2 cup of baking soda. Let sit for 3 minutes.
- Once baking soda has set for a few minutes, pour a mixture of 1 cup hot water and 1 cup vinegar down the drain (on top of the baking soda).
- Cover the mixture with a drain plug (if you have one) and let it set for no more than 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, flush the drain one last time with a pot of boiling water.
Why?
So why is this combination so effective? And why does it work better than a store bought liquid plumber? This baking soda and hot water treatment will loosen up any grimy sludge that is collecting at the bottom of your drain. The chemical reaction with the vinegar and baking soda knocks it loose. Finally, the last flush with hot water rinses the junk away.
It’s best to avoid the liquid plumbers due to their chemical makeup. These chemicals may work to clear a drain, but the damage it can cause your pipes simply isn’t worth it. It’s best to opt for a natural remedy instead.
When In Doubt…
If the remedy above doesn’t clear your drain, or if you fear that your pipe problem is worse than just a clog, it’s time to call a plumber. Pipes are sometimes clogged further down the line with years of accumulated grease build-up or even tree roots. Unfortunately, this problem isn’t remedied with baking soda and vinegar. If you’d like for us to come out and take a look at the conditions of your pipes – contact us today!