17/06/2020
How to Clean Drains
A stubborn odor or clog can quickly turn any drain into a
nuisance. Clean drains regularly to get rid of odors and buildup
of organic residue that can lead to clogs. If you find water no
longer drains properly, you can use a quick do-it-yourself fix to
have your sink working properly in no time. You can also take
steps to prevent odors and clogs from forming in the first
place.
Method One of Four:
Getting Rid of Odors and Buildup
Treat your drain with white
vinegar, baking soda, and hot
water. This can help eliminate odors caused by the
buildup of bacteria, grease, and organic residue in your
drain. It can also help clean out residue to prevent a
future clog. Pour ½ of a cup (118 ml) of baking soda
down your drain, followed by ½ a cup (118 ml) of white
vinegar. Cover or plug the drain immediately and let the
mixture sit for about 15 minutes. Next, boil some water in
a kettle or saucepan and pour the boiling water down the
drain. [1]
A solution of baking soda and vinegar can also be
used to clean stains and mineral deposits off of the
area around the outside of your drain. [2]
Treat dirty drains with a
biological cleaner. Regular preventative
treatments can keep your drains smelling nice, get rid of
potentially harmful bacteria and mold, and prevent future
clogs. Biological or enzymatic drain cleaners, like Zep or
Citra-Drain, are relatively safe and environmentally friendly.
They are also safer for your septic system than most
chemical cleaners. Follow the packaging directions for
treating a drain to eliminate odors and buildup. [3]
Scour out a stinky disposal with
ice, salt, and lemon peels. If a
garbage disposal runs well but smells bad, this probably
means that organic residue and bacteria have begun to build
up on the grinders. Fill the disposal with a few cups of
ice cubes, a handful of course salt, and a few lemon
peels. Let it grind this mixture for a bit to scour out
buildup with an "abrasive" that will not hurt its steel
grinders. [4]
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Method Two of Four:
Removing Clogs
Use a plunger to clear a clog.
Plungers are great for unclogging toilets, but they
also work well on clogged sinks and tubs. Fill the sink or
tub with enough water to cover the drain and bottom.
Press the plunger firmly down over the drain to create a
tight seal and give it several quick pumps. [5]
Bellows-style plungers may work best.
If you have a double-bowl sink, you may need to
close one of the drains with a plug or a washcloth
before plunging in order to create a complete seal.
Keep a separate plunger for the toilet.
Use a barbed plastic drain
cleaning tool. Barbed drain cleaners, like the
Zip-It Bath and Sink Hair Snare, are a great solution for
clogs near the drain opening. Just slide the tool into the
drain and pull it out. The back-angled barbs will pull out
hair and other materials that have built up in your drain.
Use a gas- or water-powered
cleaner to blow out clogs. Aerosol
drain cleaners can blast clogs out of a drain with
compressed air or gas. Water bladders use pressurized
water to accomplish the same result. [6]
If you choose a gas-powered drain cleaner, you will
need to make sure the device fits over your drain
properly. It may be necessary to use an adapter. If
you don’t create a good seal, the blast could be
directed back at you instead of into the drain.
Water-based drain cleaning devices typically attach to
a garden hose, but you may be able to get an
adapter that will allow you to attach it to an
indoor faucet.
Use a heating pad to melt grease
clogs. Wrap a heating pad around the trap pipe
under the sink. Turn the heating pad on to warm up the
pipe, then run hot water through the drain until the grease
clears. Add a little dish detergent to help dissolve the
grease. [7]
Treat buildup biologically. Use an
enzymatic or bacterial drain cleaner overnight
periodically for slow or partially clogged drains. Follow the
directions on the package. [8]
Biological cleaners are slower to work and less
effective than chemical cleaners, but they are safer
for you, your plumbing, and the environment.
Biological cleaners may require repeated treatments
to be effective.AM ELECT &PLUMBING SOLUTION
