There is nothing worse than a slow drain — it’s a big nuisance. There are some things you can do to help keep your kitchen and bathroom drains clear to avoid making the issue bigger.
DIY Cleaner — If you have a blockage in your bathroom sink or tub, make this natural cleaner:
1 tablespoon of table salt (can add more)
¼ cup plain white vinegar
Let this solution sit in the drain for an hour, then run very hot water to clear out the loosened substances.
Repeat the process a second time
Soak it in Bleach — After cleaning out your bathroom sink and tub drains, consider pouring bleach into the sink and allowing it to sit overnight (or for at least an hour) before flushing water down the drain from time to time. It might just become part of your big monthly maintenance routine.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners — Chemical drain cleaners can be harmful for the pipes and surfaces, and potentially hazardous to a plumbing professional when they are called in to remove the clog.
Dish Soap is Universal — If your kitchen sink drain is starting to have a buildup of grease, you can use liquid dish detergent to remove it. With a little boiling water (melts the grease deposits) and soap (helps to dissolve the grease and oil), you’ve got a cheap and easy fix:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove
- Add at least a tablespoon of liquid dish soap directly into the drain
- Carefully pour the boiling water into the drain, a little at a time.
Avoid — We might think our kitchen sink is the place to dispose of food and other items because of the garbage disposal, but it’s important to avoid disposing the following items via the drain:
- Grease
- Eggs
- Coffee grounds
- Any stringy or doughy food
- Lemons (while it might help your garbage disposal smell better, the citric acid can corrode the metal surface)
Other Drain Clearing Tips
And while we know it’s gross, be sure that you are checking the pop-up stoppers and drain cover from your tubs and sinks. Remove any debris from them and throw it in the trash, rinse with water (in severe cases, use a bent wire or a hair catching brush to scrub it clean), the replace.
Consider adding mesh screens to all your drains, especially bathtub and shower drains. These screens can catch hair, food particles, and any other gunk that could end up clogging your drains.
To avoid a pile up of hair in your bathtub, wash your pets outside during the warmer months (so their hair piles up on your lawn, not in your pipes). Also try to brush your hair right before taking a shower or bath to help remove most of your loose hair.
Need Help With A Clogged Drain in the Raleigh, NC Area?
If you’re still having slow drainage, or the clogs are just too much to handle on your own, call Weather Master’s Mr. Plumber for professional drain cleaning and peace of mind that your drains will receive quality care. Our skilled plumbers can also use video inspection to ensure there isn’t anything more mysterious going on with your drains.