Some of the biggest culprits behind drain clogs include things like accumulated grease and oil, the buildup of food debris, as well as chemical concentrations. Over time, these clogs can get so severe that they actually need specialized cleaning or repairs by a professional plumber and that can cost a fortune, depending on the type of plumbing Scottsdale AZ system that you have.
The good news is that there are some practical methods that you can use to eliminate clogging from your plumbing system without having to make a costly call to a professional plumber.
Here are some tools and techniques that you can use today to take care of plumbing clogs before they become a major problem:
Use Hot Water
One of the most effective ways of eliminating clogged drains is to flush them out with super-hot water while applying pressure for maximum results. A good flush will help you remove accumulated grease and food pieces that are stuck inside the pipes, and all it usually takes is running hot water into your drain for about 15 minutes.
Use Tools You Have
Oftentimes, the best Scottsdale plumbing tools are the simplest, and you’ll probably find them in your house without having to go out and purchase them. These convenient DIY drain cleaning tools include things like your plunger. Yep! Your bathroom plunger is actually one of the most effective drain cleaning tools that’s used even by the pros. There are also dedicated sink plungers designed to remove blockages from sink drains.
Using a plunger is actually a straightforward process. All you have to do is place it on top of the drain opening, and then press it up and down continuously for about 2 minutes at a time.
Although you need to put some elbow grease into this motion, it’s usually the steady application of medium force that does the job and you can smear some petroleum jelly on the plunger’s rim to keep it in place. In addition, conceal the overflow vents on your sink before you start plunging, to prevent the clogged up debris from popping up, as that’ll defeat the whole purpose of what you’re trying to do.
Homemade Liquid Cleaners
When all else fails, try a homemade mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup baking soda, pour it down your drain and follow it with a rush of boiling water after a 15-minute soak.
The best part about this home remedy is that you can use it frequently without worrying about damaging your pipes like chemical cleaners often do after some time. This method is very effective at breaking down the buildup of grease, oil and other debris from your plumber Scottsdale AZ pipes.
Sugared Sodas and Drain Clogs
Most people would never guess that sugary soda drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are actually very effective at cleaning a clogged drain, and work in a similar way as the homemade concoction mentioned above.
The interesting fact is that these sodas contain a significant concentration of dissolving agents (like phosphoric acid) that help to eliminate clogging even better than commercial chemical cleaners.