What Can You Pour Down a Clogged Drain?

Everyone can admit that a clogged drain is just irritating. Many things can and will clog your drain over time, most of which we can avoid, but don’t think of.

Smaller clogs are easy to deal with at home, but for a clogged drain in Ajax, professionals should always clear the bigger problems. There are a lot of things that simple home remedies can fix, but the deeper and larger the problem, the more specialized tools you will need to repair it.

The location of the clog will also determine if you can clear it yourself, or if you need to call a plumber.

Understand Your Declogger

There are two types of commercial drain cleaners available, each designed for a different situation.

The caustic cleaner works quickly, but depending on the type of pipes you have, it can cause erosion and, therefore, bigger problems in the long run. However, if you need that clog gone fast, some can work in seconds, so there is less disruption to your schedule.

Enzymatic cleaners are gentler on the plumbing, while still being hard on the clog. They take longer to clear, but do so effectively. This type of cleaner is amazing on organic materials such as hair, food, and grease.

Safe Alternatives

Your pantry has several items commonly found in the home that can work on some clogs, but may take a little bit of time. So, if this is not a concern, you can remove it while doing other chores.

Some of these alternatives are also excellent as a preventative measure for clogged drains in Ajax and are safe enough to use daily.

Salt

What can salt not do for us in the home? It brings out the flavour in food, preserves food, unclogs your kitchen sink, and helps prevent grease buildup in the future.

Salt is a desiccant, which means that it will naturally dry something out by removing all the water and moisture from it.

When it comes to clogs, it breaks down the grease and food matter, allowing it to pass through the pipes. As a preventative measure, it stops grease from solidifying and causing the inner diameter of the pipes to shrink.

Hot Water

Water gets everywhere, and the hotter the water, the faster it will break down grease buildups.

You can run hot water in the sink regardless of its location in the home. This is great for bathrooms and kitchens, and will help to soften material (if not break it up fully) and push it through.

It can also work in combination with other products. For drains that smell, using citrus juices (such as lemon or orange juice) will not only clear away debris, leaving the pipes free and clear, but will give a nice, fruity aroma.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Many home remedies use these two ingredients as a base. This is because their chemical composition works in harmony to accomplish the job.

Vinegar is very acidic, so it quickly starts breaking down anything in its path. When mixed with vinegar, baking soda releases carbon dioxide, which allows it to lift gunk and grime from the pipes.

While this will work for smaller clogs, it’s a great preventative measure and a cheaper option than some commercial cleaners. If you don’t have baking soda, then vinegar and hot water work just as well.

Soda

Pop, soda, cola, fizzy—however you refer to it, the darker the soda, the better it is at keeping drains clear and moving some clogs.

It works well to clean toilets and flush hair away from the shower drain. It also works effectively to dissolve food debris in the kitchen sink.

Phosphoric acid found in the darker sodas is the key ingredient in this unclogging trick. Clear sodas have citric acid, which is not as effective in cleaning as the darker versions.

What You Cannot Pour Down Drains

While all drains lead to treatment plants or bodies of water, this doesn’t mean you can just go ahead and pour anything down them. Some liquids can cause other problems, not just pipe erosion, but some can affect the water and the environment.

The following can and will cause clogs to happen, so they should be avoided to prevent the problem from occurring.

Harsh Chemicals

Paint thinner, ammonia, anti-freeze, and other chemicals commonly used in the home should be disposed of in other ways. Returning them to their original containers if possible, or putting them in a new container to be disposed of at a recycling centre or in the regular garbage, are safer options.

If you live on an acreage and the water goes to a grey area on the property, then these chemicals can kill plants and trees and harm the local wildlife.

Grease and Oil

Motor oil or cooking grease can and will clog your pipes in the blink of an eye. Do not pour these down your drain; you will save your pipes and wallet at the same time.

If you are considering trying to unclog a pipe with this as a lubricant, then know that it will just add to the problem and not solve it, even if flushed with hot water at the same time.

Food

Some foods will expand when exposed to water (such as rice and pasta, for example). Others will just be harder to get around the U-bend in your pipes due to being fibrous (like pumpkin seeds and squash peelings). Also, avoid glue-like substances (such as flour).

All food scraps should go in the green recycling bin. If too many of these food substances are thrown down sink garbage disposal units, they can be prone to clogging.

Call the Plumbing Professionals

If the clog is just not clearing despite your best efforts, or if it keeps coming back, you should reach out to the plumbing experts who can remove it and advise how to avoid future blockages.

Drain King Plumbers excels at all drain issues, emergencies, and many other plumbing services. From servicing and maintenance to installations and repairs, Drain King Plumbers has you covered.

If you need a plumbing solution for your clogged drains in Ajax, call us at 833-983-5663, or contact us here for a special first-time offer and see how we can help your plumbing flow again.