If you live in Knoxville, TN and want to keep your drains clear of blockages and backups caused by fluctuating water conditions and changing seasons, routine maintenance is a must. Whether you’re dealing with small slowdowns or major obstructions, it’s important to know how to clean your drains correctly to avoid hassles and wastes of time and money. You can do some drain cleaning on your own, but serious clogs require help from a professional.
Common Causes of Clogged Drains
You can take precautions and fix problems quickly if you know what causes clogged drains. The accumulation of hair and soap scum in bathroom sinks and showers is a frequent cause of blockages that are hard to dislodge. Blockages in kitchen sinks are common because of the gradual accumulation of grease and food particles there.
Roots from trees can also get into subterranean pipes, creating clogs in older homes or ones with established landscaping. Another issue is hard water, which can cause mineral deposits to form inside pipes, restricting the flow of water and making drainage difficult. Clogs also occur when you flush the wrong things down the toilet, like sanitary pads or baby wipes.
Boiling Water
To get rid of small clogs, one of the easiest and most effective things to do is pour boiling water down the drain. If residues like soap scum or grease are causing a drain to be sluggish, the high temperature will help dissolve them. To use this technique, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and then slowly pour it down the drain, letting each pour pass through the pipes. This method works well on drains in bathrooms and kitchens, where buildups of soap scum and grease are prevalent. Pouring boiling water down drains on a regular basis can maintain clear drains and forestall the onset of more severe problems.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Like boiling water, baking soda and distilled white vinegar make for a great drain-cleaning technique that won’t harm the environment. By taking advantage of the chemical reaction that occurs naturally between the two substances, this technique can remove obstructions and unpleasant smells. To use this approach, you’ll need to pour a half a cup of baking soda and the same amount of vinegar down the drain. After allowing the mixture to sit and fizz for 15 to 20 minutes, pour hot water down the drain. This method is kind to plumbing systems and efficient for eliminating small obstructions and buildup.
Plumbing Snake or Auger
To remove a stubborn clog, you can use a hand-cranked plumbing snake. Simply place the snake in the drain, turn it to move it through the pipes, and remove any blockages. If hair or other material is stuck far down the drain, this procedure will unclog it. If you notice substantial resistance, you might need to use a more sophisticated auger to access deeper or more serious obstructions.
Hydro Jetting
The use of high-pressure water jets to remove built-up debris and obstructed pipelines is known as hydro jetting, and it is a method reserved for professionals. This procedure is ideal for thoroughly cleaning the inside of pipes by removing tough grime, scale and other debris. Because it can access and clean regions that other methods can’t, hydro jetting is great for older pipes or ones with a lot of buildup.
Rooter Service
An expert rooter service is the best option for clogged drains caused by tree roots or other substantial obstructions. The use of specialist equipment allows rooter services to cut through and remove tree roots and other impediments that may be creating clogs. A revolving blade is a common component of this equipment that cuts through the roots.
Camera Drain Inspection
A camera drain inspection is an invaluable tool that experts use to identify and fix intricate drain problems. Cameras attached to flexible rods allow this technology to see into pipes and detect the source of obstructions and other issues. Filming the inside of the pipe in real time makes it much easier to identify problems like cracks, root infiltration or heavy accumulation.
If you need help cleaning the drains in your house, Best Plumber can help. We also offer plumbing repair, water leak detection, sump pump installations, water filtration services and more.
Call Best Plumber now to schedule drain cleaning services for your Knoxville home!
