What Type of Drain Cleaning Equipment Should I Use?
If you live anywhere that has running water, you know how troublesome it is when drains become sluggish and slow, or even completely blocked. It can certainly put a damper on your daily activities, depending on which drain is affected.
It’s wise to keep some basic drain cleaning equipment on hand, for when these inevitable clogs and back ups threaten to disrupt your day. Here are some good choices:
Standard Plunger
In a high-tech society, the lowly plunger doesn’t get a whole lot of respect, but it’s still as effective as it ever was for clearing out a clogged drain. The reason you can still find plungers in hardware and home improvement stores is because they work!
The key to getting the most out of your plunger is to create a proper seal so you create a vacuum to dislodge the clog. Make sure to center the plunger over the drain, and if you’re plunging a double-sink, you’ll have to cover the other drain with a rag or something to keep your seal. Once it’s on there it’s just a matter of plunging it up and down in a continuous motion until the clog breaks free.
The SnakeIf you have an issue that’s a little beyond the realm of the plunger, a basic plumber’s snake should help. A snake is a hand tool that is made from spring steel wire that will bend to the shape of the pipes you are trying to clean out. Most models have a handle that you turn to feed the snake into the drain, and then turn in the opposite direction to bring it back.
Mini snakes are available for small clogs in showers, tubs and sinks or you can get a larger drain snake to take the DIY aspect a little further. Of course, it’s also wise to keep in mind that there is a point where calling in a professional is the best thing to do. If you’ve tried your plunger and your snake and the problem still exists, get some help from an expert plumber.
An Ounce of Prevention
Doing your part to keep the drains clear will help you keep your plungers and snakes in the closet, instead of working to unclog your drains. Simple tips like running hot water or pouring boiling water through drains can help break up clogs before they become an issue.
Some suggest using 1 tbsp. or baking soda followed by about ¼ cup of white vinegar in your kitchen drain each week, to keep it clear. Pouring a strong salt-water solution down your kitchen drain also will help keep odours from grease and food particles to a minimum.
If you’ve got a stubborn clogged drain problem that you can’t solve on your own, contact ExpressRooter today. We have a wide range of drain services from unclogging to complete drain replacement, so no matter the problem, we’ll give you peace of mind knowing that it is fixed properly
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