Plumbers are tradespeople who specialize in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, hot-water production, sewage and drainage. They work with both residential and commercial clients.
They also diagnose and repair existing plumbing problems, such as leaks, clogs and broken fixtures. Plumbers often need to read blueprints and building codes, and they must be able to troubleshoot complex issues. Reach out to Plumbers Bradenton for expert assistance.
More and more homeowners are eliminating harsh chemical cleaners from their cleaning routines, switching to natural products that remove grime, disinfect surfaces and leave spaces clean and fresh. One such popular product is baking soda, which can be used to clean a drain and unclog it. Vinegar, on the other hand, is an acid that can dissolve a clog by jostling and breaking down debris. When these two ingredients are mixed together, they react to produce a fizzing action that can help clear a blocked drain and leave the surrounding pipes undamaged.
Baking soda is alkaline and vinegar is an acid, so when they are combined, they create a chemical reaction that neutralizes each other and can dislodge many kinds of gunk, including food scraps, hair and soap scum. To use this household item to clean your drain, start by pouring a cup of distilled white vinegar down the sink. Then pour half a cup of baking soda over the vinegar. When the fizzing stops, wait about five minutes and then flush the drain with another cup of boiling water.
This simple and inexpensive solution to a clogged drain can be used on both kitchen and bathroom sinks. The resulting chemical reaction can break down many kinds of debris, and it also helps deodorize the drains and garbage disposals. Repeat this process at least once a week to keep the drains flowing freely.
Vinegar can also be used to clean and deodorize bathroom surfaces, such as sinks, bathtubs and showers. For a milder cleaning effect, mix equal parts of water with baking soda and shake the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the surfaces and then scrub it with a nylon-backed sponge. Rinse all surfaces with water when the cleaning is done.
If the fizzing action of baking soda and vinegar doesn’t completely unclog the drain, it may be time to call a plumber. Other home remedies include using a combination of lemon juice and cream of tartar to make a paste that can be applied to the drain, leaving it for several minutes and then flushing with hot water; and pouring a mixture of distilled white vinegar and borax down the drain for a more abrasive cleaning process.
Boiling Water
Pouring boiling water down the drain is a tried-and-true way to break down soap scum, grease and other organic materials that build up and cause a clog. This household hack doesn’t require any expensive tools and is relatively simple to perform. Simply boil a pot of water and carefully pour it down the clogged drain in stages, checking the drain between each pour to see if it’s getting unclogged. This method is particularly useful for kitchen sinks that are clogged by grease and food particles that harden and block the drain.
However, this method won’t work if the clog is caused by something a little more stubborn, like a broken pipe or a septic system issue. The 212 degree Fahrenheit water may loosen the clog, but it’s likely to just sit there and soften or melt the PVC pipes, resulting in more severe issues that need to be addressed by a plumber.
Additionally, if the clog is caused by a broken toilet tank seal, boiling water won’t be effective and could actually damage the pipes. Similarly, using boiling water to unclog a shower drain that is filled with hair or matted debris may just push the clog further down the pipe, rather than removing it.
If you’ve recently used a commercial drain cleaner and the drain still seems to be blocked, it’s important not to try to force the clog through. The chemical agent from the drain cleaner may react with the baking soda and boiling water, causing a dangerous chemical reaction that can destroy your pipes.
Instead, use the baking soda and vinegar solution above or try one of these other easy DIY clog-busting methods. These homemade solutions are safe for your pipes and the environment, and are much cheaper than hiring a professional plumber to unclog your drains or toilet. So, go ahead and give these household remedies a try the next time you encounter a blocked drain. And remember: if you aren’t comfortable working with chemicals, call your local plumber for assistance! They’ll be happy to help you safely and efficiently.
Salt and Borax
While vinegar is the most common ingredient found in homemade drain cleaner, salt is also useful. It is especially effective when paired with borax, a cleaning powder that most people have around the house. The combination will produce a fizzing effect similar to the vinegar and baking soda method but will work better on most clogs than just hot water alone.
The best part is that this mixture has no harmful chemicals and will work just as well as traditional sodium hydroxide-based drain cleaners. To use it, pour a quarter cup of salt down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Allow the solution to sit for an hour, then rinse with boiling water.
Cream of tartar is another common household item that can be used to clean drains. This ingredient is highly effective at dissolving fatty deposits and can be combined with both baking soda and salt to create an ultra-powerful homemade drain cleaner. To make this mixture, combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar in a sealable jar and shake. Once the ingredients are thoroughly combined, pour half of the jar down a clogged drain and wait for an hour. Rinse the remaining mixture down the drain with a pot of boiling water and repeat as needed.
This simple cleaning solution can also be used to sanitize toilets and other plumbing fixtures. Simply scrub the fixture with a sponge dipped in a solution of 1/2 cup borax dissolved in one gallon of water and leave it to sit for an hour. This method will remove lingering odors, prevent unpleasant grime build-up, and eliminate stains from the inside of the toilet bowl.
Borax is also a good choice for cleaning stubborn stains from kitchen and bathroom sinks, bathtubs, shower curtains, and floors. It can be applied to the outside of your home in order to kill weeds or prevent them from growing in cracks on your sidewalks and driveway. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves when applying it, as borax is mildly caustic and can cause skin irritation.
Wire Coat Hanger
A wire coat hanger is a staple in every household. It’s useful for so many things – holding necklaces, roasting marshmallows over campfires, breaking into your locked car to rescue your dog, making fairy wings for last-minute Halloween costumes and, yes, unclogging toilet drains. It’s a simple tool that can help you avoid the hassle and expense of calling a plumber or using chemical solutions that may damage your pipes or cause harm to yourself.
First, grab a regular wire coat hanger and straighten it out to remove any plastic coating and to ensure it’s long enough to reach your toilet drain. You can then wrap a small rag around the hook end to prevent scratching or minor damage to your porcelain. Next, guide the hanger into your drain until it reaches the blockage. Twist and poke at the clog, moving it all around until it breaks up or dislodges whatever is stuck. Once the clog is free, remove the wire hanger and run hot water into your sink to rinse the area.
If you’re not able to clear your clogged drain with this method, it could be caused by an even more severe problem that requires professional help. If your drain is completely backed up and you’re seeing water spilling over from the bowl of your toilet, it’s time to call a plumber for a sewer snake or hydro jetting machine. Attempting to use a wire hanger and plunging it multiple times will only make the clog worse and possibly create more damage to your pipe system.