Clogged drains are more than just an inconvenience—they can spread foul odors and bacteria throughout your home. The best way to avoid clogged drains is to be mindful of what goes down them.
This includes avoiding pouring cooking grease down the drain, which cools and congeals in your pipes. It also means being proactive with homemade drain-cleaning strategies. Don’t hesitate to call Drain Cleaning Aurora, CO experts when you notice signs of clogged drains.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
When it comes to drain cleaning, baking soda and vinegar are an inexpensive and eco-friendly solution. They’re also a lot safer and more effective than store-bought chemical drain cleaners. This do-it-yourself method can dislodge hair and grease clogs, and it’s easy to add to your regular home maintenance routine.
First, run a pot of hot water down your drain or garbage disposal to warm up and loosen any clogs or debris that might be stuck. Next, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar will cause a fizzing action that can help break up even the toughest clogs. After about five minutes, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain. The mixture will cause another fizzing reaction that can help dissolve soap scum, grease, and other debris that may be stuck in your pipes. After the fizzing stops, flush the drain with a pot of hot water to wash away any remaining baking soda and vinegar.
If the clog is still there, you can repeat the baking soda and vinegar drain treatment as many times as needed to help dislodge it. If the clog is severe or you can’t get it to go away with this method, it might be time to call in a professional plumber.
Keeping your drains clean will reduce the risk of blockages and unpleasant odors. If you can, try to do this at least once a week. A little preventive care will save you a lot of money and hassle down the road!
Install Drain Strainers
A clogged sink, shower, or toilet can strike fear in the heart of any homeowner. This is because clogged drains are often the source of foul odors and dangerous bacteria that can permeate the home. But a little bit of regular maintenance can help prevent these issues from happening in the first place.
The kitchen is a prime culprit for drainage problems due to the grease, oils, and food scraps that can clog pipes. Installing a simple strainer in the kitchen can trap these unwanted materials, keeping them from flowing down the drain and causing a clog.
Similarly, bathroom drains are more likely to experience organic build-up and clogs due to hair, soap scum, and flushed items like baby wipes and sanitary products. Cleaning the strainer in your bathroom is one of the most effective ways to keep these drains clog-free.
You can also help prevent clogged drains by installing drain covers in your tub and shower. These covers prevent water from reaching objects stuck in the drain and can make it easier to clean out the drain.
Another great way to prevent clogs is by regularly using a DIY drain snake. This can be made out of a wire coat hanger that you unwind and straighten, then bend into a hook shape. You can then stick this into the drain to grab any clogged material and pull it out of the pipe.
One last tip for keeping your drains free and clear is to make a homemade DIY drain cleaner every month. This can be as easy as pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. This will create a fizzing action that can help break up clogs and bacteria.
Hopefully, these tips will help you keep your drains clear and clog-free for as long as possible. But if you do run into any trouble, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. Reimer’s team of trained plumbers is available to tackle even the most stubborn drain clogs and keep your plumbing in working condition.
Schedule Regular Service Calls
As spring cleaning and outdoor activities increase, so does the chance of clogged drains and toilets. Preventing clogs is all about being proactive, using drain strainers and regularly cleaning them out, not throwing anything down your sink or toilet that shouldn’t be there, and even installing a mesh screen to prevent hair from getting into your shower or bathtub drain. You should also never dump grease down the kitchen drain, as it will solidify when it cools and can combine with other foods or other debris to create a massive clog.
Aside from being a huge inconvenience, clogged drains can cause sewage backup and other plumbing issues that are best left to the professionals. Foul odors from drains are a sign that something is amiss, and while the tips above can help clear up smelly drains, it’s important to schedule regular professional maintenance drain cleanings to prevent clogs.
If you have a particularly smelly drain, try pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain to eliminate odors. Let the mixture fizz and work its magic for a few minutes, then rinse with boiling water. This will help to break up grease and food particles, which are the main causes of stinky drains.
You can also use dish soap and hot water to get rid of greasy deposits in your drains. Mix a few tablespoons of dish soap with a pot of hot water and slowly pour down the drain. It is important to note that bleach is not a good solution for smelly drains, as it can be harmful to pipes and can release toxic fumes if left in the air.
If you are still experiencing foul odors from your drains, it may be time to call a plumber. Foul odors aren’t just caused by a blocked drain; they could be a sign that there is a problem with your entire waste line, and a plumber will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend a course of action.
Call a Plumber
Drains see a lot of action, and it doesn’t take long for food waste, hair, soap scum, or dirt to build up. This can lead to clogged drains which, when not resolved, may cause water to back up into your home and create a foul smell. Blocked drains require the services of a plumber and must be resolved quickly so that you can enjoy your home again and avoid costly repairs.
There are several easy ways to clean your drains and eliminate unpleasant odors. Baking soda and vinegar are both effective for eliminating odors and clearing minor clogs. Simply pour a cup of baking soda down your drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz for a few minutes and then rinse with boiling water. Another simple drain cleaning remedy involves running a sink full of hot water every time you throw away food or garbage. This will help to flush the drains and keep them flowing smoothly.
Bleach is also an excellent drain cleaning solution but should never be mixed with other cleaners as it can damage pipes and release toxic fumes. A safer and more effective option is a natural disinfectant such as lemon juice or tea bags. These are safe for your plumbing system and can be used as often as needed to maintain a fresh scent in your kitchen drain.
Sometimes, home remedies for smelly drains won’t work or may even make the situation worse. If your smelly drains persist, it is best to call in a professional plumber to diagnose the problem and determine if a sewer line issue is to blame. If this is the case, a plumber will be able to remove a clog in your home’s sewer line and restore proper drainage throughout your entire home. So, if your drains are smelly and backed up with debris, don’t hesitate to give us a call! Our team of experienced, qualified plumbers can handle any plumbing problem and leave your drains smelling great. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule your appointment!