If you’ve noticed a foul smell coming from your drain or have heard gurgling sounds, it could be a sign that it’s time for a professional Drain Cleaning Perth. Here are some easy ways to clean your drains and avoid future clogs:
The best way to prevent organic buildup and odors in your sink, tub, or shower is to be mindful of what you put down your drains. Try to regularly flush your drains with hot water and use a drain catcher or grate for your shower.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Several DIY hacks are floating around on the internet that promise to be quick and easy solutions to clogged drains. However, many of these solutions can cause more harm than good, especially to older pipes. It is always a good idea to try a natural drain cleaner before resorting to chemical cleaners.
One of the most popular options is to combine baking soda and vinegar. This method uses a chemical reaction to break down organic clogs and can also help dissolve certain types of mineral deposits.
To use this method, first pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to loosen any gunk that might be stuck in the pipe. Then, pour in a cup of white vinegar and wait for the reaction to take place. The reaction should produce enough foam to dislodge any remaining clogged material and flush it away. After a few minutes, pour in a cup of boiling water and repeat if necessary.
This natural drain cleaner is safe to use and can be just as effective as most commercial drain cleaning products. It is also a cheaper alternative and can be used regularly to keep your drains clean.
It is important to note that this method may not be able to unclog all types of clogs, particularly those caused by fats or hair. It may also not be able to handle some types of mineral deposits. In cases where a serious clog persists, professional assistance should be sought.
Borax
Borax is a household staple used to brighten laundry, remove stains, and clean sink drains. But it can also help prevent clogs by loosening grime and gunk stuck in pipes. It’s easy to use and more gentle than caustic drain cleaners.
This natural drain cleaner is a great option for kitchen drains that can become smelly from cooking grease and food gunk. It’s important to note that this is not the same ingredient as bleach, which should never be used in the kitchen. Borax is safe for drains and septic systems and can be found in most grocery stores.
To clean your garbage disposal, pour three tablespoons of borax into the drain. Let it sit for an hour, then flush with hot water. This will not only keep your drain and disposal clean, but it will eliminate any foul odors caused by cooking grease and other substances that can cause unpleasant flavors in food.
Garbage disposals are a safe harbor for bacteria, which is why it’s important to clean them regularly. This can prevent a buildup of odor-causing gunk and help keep your family healthy.
Using baking soda and salt is one of the most common methods for cleaning a clogged drain, but borax is a more powerful cleaner that can be used for stubborn clogs. To unclog a drain, pour one-half cup of borax down the drain and follow with two cups of boiling water. Let this mixture sit for an hour, then flush with hot tap water.
For an even more powerful clog cleaner, mix one-half cup of borax and half a cup of salt in a glass jar that seals. Pour this mixture down the drain and let it sit for an hour, then flush with boiling water. Repeat as needed for hard-to-clean clogs.
Salt
Whoever said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” was talking about keeping your drains clear and unclogged. Clogged drains not only spread foul odors throughout the home but can also lead to structural damage in the pipes and the foundation of your house.
The drains in your bathroom and kitchen are most susceptible to organic buildup, clogs, and smells because they transport the most waste in your home. You can prevent these problems by cleaning your sink drains regularly with the simple methods listed above.
If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you can prevent foul smells and keep it running well by using ice cubes and salt. This will remove any food waste, fat, and grease deposits that are causing it to smell and run slowly.
You can also use a mixture of boiling water and liquid dish soap to clean your kitchen drain if it is clogged with grease. Put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Then, squirt at least a tablespoon of liquid dish soap directly into your drain. The detergent will help dissolve the grease and oil, while the boiling water will flush it away.
If these homemade ways to clean your drain fail to work, try a commercial product to eliminate tough clogs and odors without damaging your pipes. Products have enzymes that break down hair, grease, and other organic residues to keep your drains smelling fresh and clear. The company also offers a line of water-based drain cleaning devices that attach to garden hoses and allow you to safely clear even the most stubborn clogs.
Bleach
Bleach is a household cleaner that kills nasty bacteria and fungi. It has many uses, including sanitizing surfaces and deodorizing drains. Unfortunately, if you use it too often, it can damage your pipes. It can also create dangerous chemical reactions with other cleaning products, like ammonia-containing drain cleaners, which is why you should never mix bleach and other drain cleaners.
Pouring bleach down the drain is one of the most common — and worst — drain cleaning mistakes homeowners make. It isn’t effective at removing clogs, and it can cause other serious problems in your home. Bleach can corrode your pipes and cause leaks, and it can also release dangerous fumes into your home.
Many people pour bleach down their drains in the hopes that it will clean out gunk and odors. This can be dangerous, as bleach isn’t a good cleaner for your pipes and can do more harm than good.
When poured directly down the drain, bleach can catch in the p-trap and lead to more problems. The trap is a vital part of your plumbing system, and it prevents sewer gasses from entering your home. If the bleach in the p-trap reacts with other chemicals, it can cause a dangerous chemical reaction and release harmful fumes.
Instead of pouring bleach down your drain, try baking soda and vinegar. First, pour in a cup of baking soda, then add another cup of warmed-up vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush the drain with hot water. This simple solution will help remove odors, deodorize your sink, and prevent future problems. If your home’s drains are smelly, you can also try a combination of lemon’s citric acid and salt’s abrasive texture to scrub off grime and eliminate odors.
Drain Snake
Drain snakes are tools that can handle most clogs that a plunger and drain cleaner cannot. They are long cables with a hook that is designed to snag and break apart any hair, soap scum, or other debris that has accumulated in the pipes. They can be used on sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and even gutter downspouts. They are typically small and portable, but can also be very powerful, especially the power augers.
To use a drain snake or auger, first remove the p-trap from under the sink (if you have one). Then insert the head of the drain snake or auger into either the opening in the wall or down the pipe directly. Avoid running hot water down the drain while snaking it because this could damage your pipes. Instead, run cold water to help the snake move through the clog.
Once the snake has reached the clog, push and rotate it to break up any hair, soap scum, or food debris. As you rotate it, watch the hooks on its end to make sure they are snagging and breaking up the clog rather than getting stuck in or damaging the insides of your plumbing pipes.
You should always wear rubber gloves and safety goggles when working with a drain snake. It is also a good idea to have a bucket or bowl nearby to catch any clogged material that you may want to dispose of. If you have tried everything and are unable to get the clog to break up or remove itself, call in a plumber because they will have a motorized sewer machine that can bore through and dislodge the obstructions from your pipes.