If manual and biological methods have proven ineffective in clearing your drains, the blockage may be larger than expected or composed of more than just organic matter. In this case, chemical drain cleaners will be the most effective solution. There are several ways to chemically unclog drains :
- White vinegar : With a little hot water and coarse salt or baking soda, white vinegar can dissolve many types of clogs. To do this, heat the water and vinegar together. First, place the baking soda or coarse salt in the clogged drain, then add the vinegar. After letting it sit for 9 to 12 hours, the drain should be clear.
- Chemical drain cleaners : Sold commercially, these drain cleaners most often contain hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. They are very dangerous for the environment and aggressive towards pipes. Furthermore, their results are unpredictable, especially if the blockage is located deep within the drain. These chemical products should only be used as a last resort. It is essential to thoroughly rinse the drain after using a drain cleaner containing concentrated acid.
Successfully unblocking the drain
If you want to ensure that the drain in your home is unblocked properly, here are some tips and tricks you absolutely must follow:
- Never mix several concentrated chemicals together to avoid uncontrolled reactions and the release of heat. This is especially true for mixtures of acidic products and basic solutions (bleach, caustic soda, etc.).
- Regardless of the unclogging method used, it is advisable to protect your hands with waterproof gloves and to use eye protection glasses.
- Using metal objects such as drain snakes, coat hangers, or water jets to unclog sanitary fixtures like toilets, sinks, or washbasins can damage their enamel. It is recommended to use them with caution and handle them gently.
What should you do if unclogging the drains fails?
If all the drain cleaning methods mentioned in our article have failed, you’re dealing with a clog of unusual shape, size, or consistency. In this case, it’s best to call a professional drain cleaning plumber . Thanks to their state-of-the-art equipment, a plumbing expert can clear clogs regardless of their size, shape, or composition. A professional’s intervention also guarantees a safe operation for your plumbing system. Indeed, thanks to their expertise and tools, the plumber can quickly identify the nature and location of the clog in order to remove it. With their camera, they will be able to obtain precise information about the cause of the obstruction and achieve a fast and professional clearing.
How to prevent clogged pipes?
Have you noticed that your drains are getting clogged regularly? There are a few tips to help maintain your drainage system and prevent blockages . Here are our recommendations to reduce the frequency of drain blockages:
- By regularly cleaning the drain traps of your sinks, washbasins, showers and bathtubs, you will limit the appearance of larger blockages that could completely retain the water.
- Using a grid to protect the sink or washbasin drain will help retain food scraps, hair, fur, and anything else that could contribute to clogging the pipes.
- Before washing the dishes, make sure to empty the dirty plates completely to prevent food scraps from clogging the pipes.
- Installing a water softener in your home will help limit limescale buildup in drain pipes.
- Pouring warm white vinegar down the drain regularly helps to dissolve even the smallest blockages, dissolve limescale buildup and remove bad smells before the situation worsens.
