When it comes to drains, what can homeowners do to clean, prevent, and get rid of clogs in them? Surprisingly they shouldn’t use drain cleaners. Drain cleaners have chemicals in them that can damage your pipes and you can cause more problems than they are worth. The length of time they need to work through a clog can be up to 30 minutes. That’s a long time to let strong chemicals sit in your pipes. Some of the chemicals in these cleaners can react with aluminum and give off gases that can be hazardous. Others can solidify in the pipes, become hard to remove and can cause them to burst. This can turn into a much more expensive problem than you started with.
How to Unclog a Bathroom Drain Pipe & Prevent Clogs
Bathroom sink clogs are almost always caused by long hair and toothpaste. If you have a clog in a bathroom sink or the tub you should fill it with hot water and then unplug the drain. Hopefully this will flush the drain and clear the clog. If you still have a clog, you will need to use a plunger or a snake to remove the clog. The best way to prevent future clogs is to run hot water after you brush your teeth or have a shower to dissolve the toothpaste and shampoo as much as possible to prevent hair from building up. You should also invest in devices that will trap long hair before it goes down the drain. Don’t flush hair down the bathroom sink.
Toilet Clogged with Poop and Paper
The only things you should ever send down the toilet are #1, #2 and toilet paper- that’s it. These are the only three things that shouldn’t get stuck in the pipes. The last thing you want is a backed-up toilet. If you can’t clear it with a plunger or a snake, you will have to call a plumber. The best way to avoid toilet clogs is to make sure you are only flushing what’s supposed to go down a toilet. No hair, feminine hygiene products, dental floss or cotton swabs.
Kitchen Sink Clogged; Tried Everything?
The first thing you need to try with a clogged kitchen sink is hot water and grease-dissolving dish soap to help loosen the clog and hopefully send it on its way. If that doesn’t work, use a plunger and then run the hot water and dish soap through again. If you want to avoid kitchen drain clogs in the future do not pour grease down the drain. Because while it goes down in liquid form, it will solidify as it cools and can cause a clog. Pour hot grease in a container and them throw it away after it becomes a solid. You should always run some extra water after you have used your garbage disposal, so all the food scraps get pushed through the drain. Don’t put eggshells, stringy vegetables and foods that can expand in the pipes down the garbage disposal.
Unclogging & Cleaning Drain Pipes & Sewer Lines in Staten Island, Maspeth, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Yonkers, Queens, NYC Boroughs, New York City NY
If you have a clogged pipe it’s best to avoid drain cleaners and try to remove the clog by using a plunger or snaking the drain. When you do need the services of a plumber, you can trust the experts at The Original $49.95 Plumber. Contact us for all your drain and sewer needs.
