RX Patient Tools
Use these quick guides before reading the article, or return to them when you need help preparing questions for a doctor.
The drain, regardless if it’s used in the kitchen or bathroom, plays an important role in your home. For one, drains help maintain the cleanliness of your home. When your kitchen sink or bathroom floors are clean, your family will be safe from illnesses and diseases which can be transmitted by germs and bacteria. Additionally, drains can affect the lifespan of other utilities in your home. If the drain is working perfectly, your kitchen and bathroom will remain dry which can prevent rust. However, if your drains are clogged, you’ll never experience these benefits. In fact, a clogged drain can even become the reason why you’ll feel stressed all the time. If you don’t take any actions with your clogged drain as soon as possible, the problem can worsen, and you’ll end up paying for expensive repairs.
There are many reasons why drains get clogged. This might happen because of excessive dirt, grime or hair stuck in the pipes. But instead of taking your time figuring out why your drains are clogged, it might be better if you look for solutions on how to fix the problem. Doing the latter can save you money and enables you to make use of your drains again. Here are some tips on how you can clear clogged drains:
Use boiling water: This is the easiest and cheapest way to unclog your drain, which is why you should try this trick first. You just need to pour boiling water on your drains two to three times (or as needed) while waiting for a couple of seconds before the next pour. Hot water can work with any type of stoppage.
Use a wire hanger: Head to your closet and get a spare hanger that you can use to unclog your drain. Unwind the neck of the hanger, straighten out its elbows on both sides while leaving the hook in place. At the opposite side of the hook, bend at least three inches to serve as your handle. Once you’re done tweaking your hanger, lower the hanger until you feel the blockage. Try to scoop out as much dirt as you can, never push these farther. If you think your hanger already has enough dirt, pull the hanger out.
Mix baking soda and vinegar: Many homeowners swear to the efficacy of using baking soda and vinegar in unclogging their drains. If you’re a risk-taker, you might as well try using this strategy too. All you have to do is mix equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar. Once it starts to fizz, immediately pour the mixture into your clogged drain. The fizzing action can remove any blockage in the pipes. To achieve the best results, leave the solution overnight and flush with hot water afterward.
Mix salt and baking soda: Aside from using it with vinegar, you can also use baking soda with salt to unclog your drain. You just need to mix ½ cup of table salt and ½ cup of baking soda in a container and pour the mixture down the drain. Leave this mixture on the drain for at least ten minutes and then wash with boiling water. The combination of the salt, baking soda and water will create a chemical reaction that should dissolve the blockages on your pipes.
Use caustic soda: Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide is an alkali that is commonly used in the production of paper, soap and detergents and other petroleum-based products. Fortunately, you can use the same chemical in cleaning your clogged drain. Pour 3/4 gallons of cold water into a bucket and add 3 cups of caustic soda. Mix the two with an old wooden spoon and once it begins to fizzle, immediately pour the mixture on your drain. Leave the mixture for about 20-30 minutes and then allow boiling water to run. If this technique doesn’t work during the first try, repeat the process. Additionally, since caustic soda is a harmful chemical, always be careful in handling it. Use rubber gloves and goggles whenever you’re about to have contact with caustic soda. This chemical can cause burns on your body so always prioritize your safety during the process.
Call professional help: Unclogging the drain might seem like a very simple chore, but there will be instances when your attempts won’t end with positive results. Doing everything by yourself might even aggravate the problem. When any of these situations happen, it’s best if you call professionals for help. Their experience and training in unclogging drains will guarantee that you’ll never have to spend a day in your shower with the stagnant water on your ankles or dirty water in your kitchen sink. If possible, look for professionals who are based locally. If you’re living in Toronto, look for drain services in Toronto.
Consider Available Options
Drains might be small, but they can do big things for your home and family. These are placed in your kitchen or bathroom for a purpose. And as a homeowner, if you want to continually enjoy the amenities of these spaces, you should make sure that your drains are unclogged and working perfectly. You can be careful on what goes in your drain or exhaust time and effort to work on unclogging your drain. Regardless of the option, you’re eyeing to take, be careful with your attempts, use the necessary tools and when all else fails, don’t be afraid to call for professional help.
