Cleaning Blocked Drains- DIY And Save Your Money

No one wants to come home to a clogged kitchen sink or a clogged toilet. Cleaning blocked drains can be very messy, but you can’t turn a blind eye to it, as it is not going to fix itself. It is usually caused by substances such as hair, fibrous foods, eggshells, plastic, grease, etc. that do not break down in the drain and stay stuck in it until you clean them. If you have a dog or a cat, their hair is also a major cause of blocked drains.

Most of the things required for cleaning blocked drains are easily available at your home. You just have to gather the courage to fish out all the nasty stuff stuck in your drain.

Following are some really easy ways of cleaning blocked drains yourself

Drain Cleaners

You can use a simple drain cleaner that is easily available at your hardware store. A sink clog can be easily fixed using a drain cleaner. For extra cleaning, you can also use vinegar and baking soda. It will fizz up and meltdown the gunk and clear your drain.

Rubber Gloves

You can also clean that nasty clogged drain with your hands, but don’t forget to wear rubber gloves before getting them dirty. This is not the most appealing option, but the things you do with your hands are always the best and also help you to save money. However, it only works for a simple clogged drain situation, since your hand can only reach a certain depth in the drain.

Plunging

Find that plunger that is probably lying around somewhere in your house or buy a new one from a hardware store, as it is highly effective in cleaning blocked drains right up. It involves patience and a little bit of practice. They also come in different sizes for your convenience.

Boiling water

It is the simplest way to clean a clogged drain. You just have to boil a kettle full of water and pour it down the drain in phases. Let the boiling water settle for some time in between the time gaps.  Repeat this process a few times. It takes some time, but it is inexpensive. You can also pour some salt in the drain and let it settle and then add boiling water to it. Repeat a couple of times.

Plumber’s snake

A plumber’s snake, also known as a drain snake, is a long flexible coil or an auger that rotates when you push it down the drain. While rotating, it will take out all the unpleasant stuff out of the drain.

Caustic soda

It is also known as sodium hydroxide. You have to be cautious while using this, as it can cause really bad burns if it comes in contact with your skin. So, always wear gloves and protective glasses while using this. Take a bucket full of cold water and add 3 cups of caustic soda. It will start to fizz and heat up. Carefully pour it down the drain and leave it for twenty to thirty minutes, and then flush it out with boiling water.

Cleaning blocked drains is very easy and one can do it themselves. It will save you a lot of bucks and a lot of trouble too in the long run. Once you fix it yourself, always remember to clean out the fallen hair from the bathroom floor and clean out leftover food from your dishes before putting them in the sink to avoid future clogging. Next time, raid your kitchen for vinegar and salt to clean out those clogged drains.