We’ve all probably had that “uh-oh, my drain’s clogged (AGAIN)” moment in our lives. When that happens, we usually try to solve the issue using a DIY method, and sometimes it works.

Things that most commonly clog drains are grease and hair, but there are other things that can cause a glitch in your sink. For example, coffee grounds don’t break down in water, but clump together and clog your drain over time. You should always throw away coffee grounds in the garbage, but if you haven’t been doing that, perhaps that’s why you’re reading this article right now.

Soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, makeup, eggshells, flour – all of these things have a tendency to build up over time in drains, so dealing with clogged drains and pipes is, unfortunately, a common experience.

Let’s see what you can do about it.

1. Is it okay to pour bleach down the drain?

Though bleach seems to be a popular way to fix clogged drains and some people use it on a regular basis as a preventive measure, most professionals will advise you against it. Why? Because bleach combined with other chemicals such as ammonia becomes a toxic gas which could be harmful when inhaled. Bleach is also not good for septic tanks because it kills the “good” bacteria that digests the waste.

2. Do baking soda and vinegar dissolve hair?

Baking soda and vinegar are a pretty good DIY solution for hair clogging your drains. All you need to do is pour boiling water in the sink and then pour a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Wait for 15-20 minutes before rinsing everything with boiling water.

3. Will baking soda and vinegar ruin pipes?

Unlike bleach and some other chemicals, the usage of vinegar or baking soda is totally harmless.

4. Does salt and boiling water unclog drains?

Yes – salt and boiling water is another good combination, if you’re a fan of natural solutions but don’t like the smell of vinegar. This time you’ll need to pour a cup of baking soda with half a cup of salt and wait until the following day. Then rinse the poured combination with boiling water.

5. Will Coca Cola clear a drain?

Since Coca Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can effectively dissolve hair, grease, etc., it can be used as a drain cleaner. It’s not too toxic, so it won’t damage your pipes. Similarly to previous natural solutions, you just need to pour a bottle of Coke down the drain, wait a while, and then pour some boiling water in order to rinse any sugary residue.

6. Does lemon juice unclog drains?

Lemon is another great “unclogger”, and generally a really good cleaning agent, often used with baking soda and/or vinegar. Similarly to previous combinations with baking soda, here you’ll also need to pour boiling water down your drain, then use 8 ounces of baking soda followed by 8 ounces of lemon juice, and finish with boiling water (again). This should do the trick.

7. Is it safe to put hydrogen peroxide down the drain?

Hydrogen peroxide is a common household item that can be used for many different cleaning purposes – it can disinfect lighter wounds, relieve skin irritation, it can be used as a mouth rinser, and it’s great for cleaning different surfaces in your household. Feel free to use it to unclog your drain, because it won’t damage your pipes. Again, the best way to use it is in combination with baking soda. Pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of hydrogen peroxide down your drain. Wait a few hours, and then rinse with boiling water.

When a DIY rescue operation doesn’t work out for whatever reason, the right thing to do is call a plumber. Clogged drains can damage the whole drainage system, so it’s important to fix the problem before it gets out of hand.

8. What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Once you’ve handed over the problem to the professional, they’ll use some of their equipment to solve it. The equipment can either be manual, such as manual drain snakes, or motorized, such as motorized drain snakes, sewer jetters, etc.

Though natural household solutions have numerous advantages, you can never be sure of their outcome. With experienced professionals such as your trusted Red Seal Drainage & Plumbing team, you don’t have to worry about that. Contact us for trouble-free drain cleaning!