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What is the best way to clean drains?
Clogs are probably the most common plumbing problem homeowners face. In some homes, a sink, shower drain, or toilet clogs every week. Most of these clogs are relatively minor, and can be cleared with a plunger or by running the kitchen sink’s disposal. However, others are far more serious, requiring a more intensive approach or—most commonly—help from a plumber.
In this article, we’ll review all of the ways there are to clear clogged drains, from effective (and ineffective) do-it-yourself methods to bringing in a drain cleaning professional.
Does do-it-yourself drain cleaning work?
That depends on the method and on the clog.
Many homeowners try to clear the clog themselves before calling in a plumber.
• For kitchen sink clogs, they run their garbage disposal, and then check to see if that addressed the problem.
• For toilet clogs, they’ll flush the toilet a few times and then use a plunger to attempt clearing the clog.
• For shower clogs, they’ll try to fish out trapped hair from the drain.
However, should these direct approaches fail, many homeowners then turn to DIY remedies for clogged drains.
In the sections below, we’ll review some popular do-it-yourself drain cleaning methods and how each of them works:
Can baking soda and vinegar clean a drain?
This is perhaps the most popular (and most effective) form of DIY drain cleaning. As everyone knows from building volcanoes for their sixth-grade science fair, baking soda and vinegar react when combined together. This chemical reaction produces carbonic acid, which can potentially help cut through a clog deep within your drains.
To try this out, pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar—about a half-cup each—down the drain. Expect to see some bubbling: the reaction between the two produces carbon dioxide gas. Leave the reaction to do its work for a few minutes before seeing if the drain is now clear.
While this time-tested combination can clear out quite a few clogs, it’s going to be pretty ineffective against tougher ones. As will be a common theme throughout this article, the acids produced by kitchen pantry staples are generally pretty weak. Otherwise, we certainly wouldn’t let kids use them for science fair projects!
Can cola clear a drain?
If you’re out of baking soda and vinegar, but you have some soda in your pantry, you can try using it to clear your clog. Cola contains phosphoric acid, a mild acid that acts as a preservative and gives cola its distinctive flavor. This acid can be used to clean off rust and cut through grease. That latter part makes cola a potential tool for clearing kitchen drain clogs.
Keep in mind that we’re talking about cola here. Not all soft drinks and not even all colas have phosphoric acid, so be sure to check the ingredients list before you get started.
Obviously, there’s a few problems with this soda-based strategy. First, the cola typically needs to sit in the drain for several hours before there’s any effect. That means your kitchen sink is unusable for that entire time, which is pretty inconvenient. You also need to pour a lot of soda down the drain for this to work: at least one two-liter bottle, and maybe more.
Finally, as you might expect, the phosphoric acid in cola is relatively weak—otherwise, we probably won’t be drinking it! It might not have enough punch to clear out a tough clog.
If you’re not seeing results after an hour or two of letting the cola sit in the drain, it might be time for a different approach.
Can cola clear a drain?
If you’re out of baking soda and vinegar, but you have some soda in your pantry, you can try using it to clear your clog. Cola contains phosphoric acid, a mild acid that acts as a preservative and gives cola its distinctive flavor. This acid can be used to clean off rust and cut through grease. That latter part makes cola a potential tool for clearing kitchen drain clogs.
Keep in mind that we’re talking about cola here. Not all soft drinks and not even all colas have phosphoric acid, so be sure to check the ingredients list before you get started.
Obviously, there’s a few problems with this soda-based strategy. First, the cola typically needs to sit in the drain for several hours before there’s any effect. That means your kitchen sink is unusable for that entire time, which is pretty inconvenient. You also need to pour a lot of soda down the drain for this to work: at least one two-liter bottle, and maybe more.
Finally, as you might expect, the phosphoric acid in cola is relatively weak—otherwise, we probably won’t be drinking it! It might not have enough punch to clear out a tough clog.
If you’re not seeing results after an hour or two of letting the cola sit in the drain, it might be time for a different approach.
Can you pour bleach down the drain?
Contrary to popular belief, bleach will not clear your drain clog. While bleach is a powerful disinfectant and great at killing viruses and bacteria, it often does little against clogs. That’s because bleach, as a powerful base, is actually chemically far different than the acids we’ve discussed so far.
It just doesn’t work, and it can actually be pretty harmful for our local sewers. That goes double if your home is connected to a septic system—bleach will kill off the decomposing bacteria that keeps your septic system working properly.
What about chemical drain cleaners?
So far, we’ve reviewed a few drain cleaning remedies that you probably already have around your home. But, what about store bought drain cleaning products, specifically marketed for clearing out clogs? While these probably stretch the definition of “do it yourself drain cleaning”, they do typically work. But, there are problems with these cleaning products that you should be aware of before you buy.
First, chemical drain cleaners are pretty tough on your pipes. They work by causing a chemical reaction with the clog that generates heat. This heat then loosens up the clog, flushing it down the drain. Repeated uses of chemical drain cleaners can cause damage to your pipes and drains. It’s why many apartment buildings and condos actually forbid the use of these products—the building doesn’t want to be stuck paying for extensive pipe repairs years down the road.
These chemicals are also extremely toxic and hazardous. When you use them, you’ll want to take extreme caution to avoid skin or eye exposure. You’ll also need to find a safe place to store them where children or pets cannot reach them.
Why call a plumber?
As you’ve probably already inferred, do it yourself drain cleaning can be pretty hit-or-miss. After all, not every clog is going to respond to baking soda and vinegar. If you’re facing a particularly stubborn clog—or you’re in a hurry to get the clog cleared—you’re probably better off bringing in a plumber.
Plumbers typically avoid using chemicals to clear out drains, instead opting for tried-and-true tools like snakes, augers, and plungers. These tools tend to do a better job of quickly and completely clearing out the drain. A plumbing professional typically has dozens of such tools with them on any given job. They’ll do what it takes to get the drain cleared, and ensure that it’ll stay that way.
When push-comes-to-shove, plumbers have another incredibly useful tool they can use to diagnose what’s causing a clog: camera inspection equipment.
By feeding an endoscopic camera down the drain, a plumber can see, on a video feed, what’s caused the obstruction. This is particularly useful when it comes to diagnosing sewer line clogs.
How can I find a plumber near me?
If you’re facing a tough clog and need to bring in a plumber, look online for local companies that have good reviews and a proven track record of helping homeowners with their drain cleaning needs. Reputable plumbers should travel in officially marked vehicles and bring all the tools of the trade with them to your home. Be sure to ask them in advance how long it will take to get a plumber to your home.
Wagner is your locally trusted plumber here in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Our experienced and friendly plumbers help homeowners clear any drain clog—no matter how tough the clog is, we’ll take care of it for you.
It’s just another reason why Wagner is your home’s best friend!
