Many Saskatoon homeowners had the misfortune of having to deal with a clogged drain or two. Clogging is an inevitable result of having all the dirt and debris go down the drains for a long period of time. Some of them stick to the walls of the pipe, and build up, especially if not treated properly. Plumbing companies like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. can help a lot in ensuring that clogs don’t happen, and in clearing clogs that do.
Prevention
If you want to avoid the entire mess of clogged drains, you’ll need to be attentive to how your drains behave. A potential clog can be detected by certain unusual plumbing actions; for example, water coming out of taps a lot slower than it used to. This could be a sign that debris has built up enough to hamper water flow. This may be resolved by pouring hot water into the drains. If the build-up isn’t too severe, boiling water could be enough to loosen the dirt clinging to the insides of the pipes. You can also put up protective measures like drain strainers to stop larger pieces from getting into your pipes.
Solution
When clogs do happen, there are several simple solutions that can help you clear them out on your own. There’s the option of making your own drain cleaner. Just mix a half-cup of baking soda and another half-cup of vinegar. Pour this solution down your drain to clear up the clog. Wait half an hour and follow it up with some boiling water to clean out the remnants.
If that doesn’t work then you’ll have to resort to more physical means. A plunger is an easy-to-use tool for clearing clogs. First, block any holes around the drain and pour a couple of inches of water over the drain hole. Next, apply some petroleum jelly around the rim of the plunger to create a tighter seal and better suction. Apply the plunger and pump vigorously for a minute or two. Check if the clog has been removed or at least slightly loosened.
Call In the Pros
Working with plungers and drain cleaners can be time-consuming, however, and may not always work, particularly when a clogged drain is severe. Additionally, while they may solve the problem, it could only be temporary and an underlying bigger concern might remain undetected until it is too late. To be sure that you get to the bottom of things, ask a professional plumber to do a thorough inspection of your drains before you face a real domestic crisis.
Source:
Top Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Drain Clean, Answers.com
How to Unclog a Drain, Lifehacker
Handling Clogged Drains Frugally, The Simple Dollar