You might find it tempting to reach for baking soda and vinegar when dealing with drain problems. The combination of these two ingredients can do a great job at getting rid of clogs. But do they cause damage to the drain, and is there a better remedy? The truth is, a vinegar and baking soda solution works great for some minor clogs. For most clogs, however, you’ll need to schedule professional drain cleaning.
How to Use Baking Soda and Vinegar Correctly for Drain Cleaning
When using baking soda and vinegar for drain cleaning, you want to be very careful. If you add too much of either substance, you risk making the clog worse. Pouring too much can also cause backflow problems if you don’t follow with enough hot water.
To use this remedy effectively, start by pouring about half a cup of baking soda into the drain. Next, pour roughly half a cup of white vinegar. You need to make sure to use white vinegar because other types of vinegar can corrode pipes.
After pouring both ingredients into the drain, they will start fizzing. This fizzing is a good sign because it shows a reaction is happening. Next, cover the drain with a piece of cloth or a plug; this will trap the fizz inside the pipe. Let the mixture sit and fizz for about 30 minutes. The more time you wait, the longer the solution has to work its way through the clog. Once 30 minutes have passed, you need to flush the drain with hot water for several minutes to wash away any loosened debris.
What Types of Clogs Are Removable With Baking Soda and Vinegar?
Not all clogs are ideal for baking soda and vinegar. Only those that are mild to moderate will respond effectively. These clogs are usually the result of organic debris. You’ll typically find clogs from soap scum and hair in bathrooms. Kitchen drain clogs are usually the result of grease or food particles. When used strategically, baking soda and vinegar can get rid of these clogs.
What Should I Do for Stubborn Clogs?
If you come across a clog that doesn’t respond well to vinegar and baking soda, it’s best to call a professional. Despite vinegar and baking soda being able to get rid of light clogs, they don’t do well at stubborn clogs caused by solid objects, tree roots or deep obstructions. And if you try to push something into the drain when dealing with serious clogs, you might make the situation a lot worse. Here at Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we have a variety of specialized tools to get rid of severe blockages.
Professional Solution #1: Camera Inspections
Our high-resolution cameras can look deep into your pipes and drains to identify the exact cause of blockages. The flexible cables attached to the cameras even let us look at difficult-to-reach areas, which are usually hard to see. Whether the blockage is a result of tree roots or accumulated debris, we can pinpoint its exact location. By carefully finding the exact source of the clog with a camera inspection, it becomes easier for us to choose the best solution. Our cameras take the guesswork out of drain cleaning, allowing us to use targeted solutions that save you time and money.
Professional Solution #2: Hydrojetting
One of our most common ways of cleaning drains and getting rid of clogs is to use hydrojetting. This process makes use of high-pressure water to blast away grease, soap scum and food particles inside drains and pipes. The strong power behind the water blasts through stuck debris, loosening it and flushing it out. Because of its non-invasive nature, this drain cleaning method is perfect for tackling tough clogs without damaging your home’s plumbing.
Professional Solution #3: Manual Augers and Snakes
When hydrojetting and chemical treatments don’t work, we might use a manual auger or snake. Like our advanced cameras, our augers and snakes can reach deep into your plumbing. These tools, however, also come with the ability to physically break up and remove blockages. We will insert the auger or snake into the drain and then turn it to dislodge the stuck debris. This method is particularly helpful for clogs caused by food debris, hair or other solid materials. Using these tools carefully lets us clean the drain without causing damage.
Professional Solution #4: Power Augers
If a manual auger or snake doesn’t do the job, we can use a power auger. A power auger is an advanced version of a manual one. Instead of us having to manually turn the auger, it will turn itself using a motorized coil. This coil cuts through stuck debris and is ideal for large-scale clogs. We frequently use this method for clogs that stem from tree roots or hardened grease.
Professional Solution #5: Flange and Accordion Plungers
If you’re dealing with a toilet drain clog, we might use a flange or accordion plunger. The flange plunger is specifically designed for use in toilets and has a deeper cup along with a more flexible flange. This allows for a secure closure over the drain. Sinks and tubs are best served by the accordion plunger, which is more pliable. These plungers, when used in conjunction with other methods, provide suction that pushes and pulls the obstruction free.
Professional Solution #6: Cleanout Points
If your home’s plumbing has cleanout points built into it, we can use them to inspect and clear drains. Anytime we add a new plumbing system to a house, we always recommend adding cleanout points. When strategically placed, these points provide easier access to the pipes for cleaning and maintenance. We can insert tools like augers or snakes in the cleanout points to resolve stubborn clogs. Because it goes straight to the source of the obstruction, this treatment works wonders when standard drain cleaning procedures fail.
How to Prevent Drain and Pipe Clogs
Being mindful is crucial to preventing drain problems. You should always do your best to avoid putting grease, food scraps and other debris in a drain. When doing dishes, it’s a good idea to use drain screens to catch hair and food from going into the pipes. Regularly flushing the drains with hot water, vinegar and baking soda can also keep drain problems to a minimum. When using the bathroom, make sure not to flush any wipes or hygiene products.
Benefits of Yearly Plumbing Maintenance to Reduce Drain Problems
Preventing clogged drains and other plumbing issues is easy when you schedule annual plumbing maintenance. We will check for leaks, clear away any clogs and fix any problems that arise before they become expensive emergencies. If your home has older pipes or frequent blockages, you might need to schedule more frequent maintenance visits.
Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing wants to help you create a healthier and more comfortable living space. In addition to drain cleaning, we offer water leak detection, pipe repairs, shower installations and much more. Contact us today to book drain cleaning for your home in Jacksonville, FL.
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