A clogged drain is one of the most annoying plumbing problems homeowners contend with.
No matter what causes the clog, it’s a hassle when it happens. The good news is that there are home remedies that work. Before looking at commercial drain cleaning options, try natural ways to resolve clogged drains first.
Chemical drain cleaners are hazardous to your health and plumbing system. On the other hand, home remedies for clogged drains are safe and don’t cost a lot, making them the better option. It’s also better to use natural cleaning methods than standing in wastewater up to your ankles.
Why Should You Choose DIY Clogged Drain Remedies?
A chemical-based drain cleaner contains sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, which may damage pipes in the long run. They are also poisonous and may burn your skin.
Using natural drain cleaners is better for your health and plumbing. They are safer, gentler on your pipes, and environmentally friendly. Green drain cleaners are easy to assemble because most ingredients are readily available in your kitchen cabinet.
3 Common Causes of a Clogged Drain
Here are some of the common culprits behind drain blockages that may call for home remedies for clogged drains:
- Soap Scum
Soap scum can clog up your drains; some may contain grease or fat in their ingredients. Some soaps can mix with minerals in the water and form a residue that can clog your pipes.
You can either switch to drain and pipe-friendly soaps or hire professionals to clean your drains and pipes now and then.
- Tree Roots
Sometimes, tree roots can block the flow of your plumbing system and cause irreversible damage if they infiltrate your pipes. The damage or small holes they make may seem minor, but they can pose major problems in a few months. Aside from causing leaks, tree roots also grow thick enough to block the flow of water through your pipes.
- Hair
Hair can get stuck in drains, flow through the pipes, and get tangled up with grease or other particles. Over time, it can form a huge blockage that stops water from flowing smoothly.
4 DIY Clogged Drain Recipes You Can Make
Hair, grease, and other solids that flow with the water will inevitably clog up our drains at some point. Fortunately, you can fix most clogged drains without calling a plumber.
Learn how to unclog a drain the natural way. Here are some inexpensive, effective, and fast ways to deal with minor drain clogs:
- Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda and vinegar are the perfect pair; they are the PB&J of drain cleaning solutions. Mixing a combination of these ingredients will make your drains clear and fresh-smelling.
Combine 1/4 cup table salt with 1/2 cup baking soda in a small container. Mix it well and pour it down the sink. After that, add one cup of heated vinegar. This will produce foam and bubbles. Use a drain plug or duct tape to prevent the mixture from escaping. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. Afterward, flush the drain with hot water.
If stubborn clogs persist, repeat the process. Ideally, do this once a month to keep your drains flowing freely.
- Baking Soda, Salt, and Cream of Tartar
Hair strands and soap scum are also responsible for bathroom drain clogs. To make a homemade drain cleaner for this clog, mix ½ cup of salt, two cups of baking soda, and ⅛ cup of cream of tartar in a small bowl. Next, pour two cups of boiling water down your drain, followed by the dry mixture.
The baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar will dissolve the clog. Allow it to sit for at least an hour. Try the vinegar-baking soda combination instead if the clog still won’t disappear.
- Salt, Borax, and Vinegar
Try mixing borax, vinegar, and salt to unclog the drain. Pour liberal amounts of hot water down the drain before pouring a mixture of 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar.
Pour the mixture and let it sit for an hour. Run hot tap water to flush the homemade cleaning solution.
- Hot Water and Detergent
Water will drain much slower if you regularly pour oil down the kitchen sink. The same applies to your shower drain if you use oil-based products in your bath routine.
For this homemade drain cleaner, here’s what you have to do: Add two tablespoons of dishwashing detergent to boiling water in a pan. Carefully pour the mixture down the drain. The heat of the mixture melts the grease, and the detergent moves it down to your pipes.
Key Takeaway
Soap scum, tree roots, grease, and hair are the top three causes of a clogged drain. Most would often reach for the nearest chemical drain cleaner when they clog your drains. However, DIY home remedies for clogged drains will do a better job at it. They are handy, easy to make, and safer for you, your drains, and the environment.
However, there are certain plumbing issues that DIY methods can’t fix; they can only do so much. There is a greater chance of a plumbing emergency occurring if you wait. Before the situation gets worse, call expert plumbers in Colorado Springs.
