From antiquated plumbing systems, to things going down them that really shouldn’t, drains can quickly and easily become clogged, and when they do, it can create all manner of problems.
From overflowing water to nothing going down the sink and a rotten stench, blocked drains can be a real nightmare, especially when your efforts to unblock them, have failed. However, as much as a pain as a clogged drain can be, reaching for a fast acting chemical solution, isn’t always the best choice. But why? Let’s take a closer look.
What can cause a blocked drain?
Usually, a blocked drain in the home will be due to one, or several, of the following things:
- Oil, fat and grease
- Food waste
- Foreign objects
- Soap scum
- Hair
- Mineral deposits
If you’re experiencing discolored water coming up through the drain, can detect a nasty odor, or are finding that water simply isn’t flowing down properly, or at all, the chances are that you’ve got a blocked drain.
Why shouldn’t you reach for a chemical cleaner?
Aside from the harm this can cause to the environment, chemical cleaners – especially when used more than once – can cause irreparable damage to older pipes and plumbing systems, corroding them over time. Acid based products can also destroy any good bacteria present in the drain, that’s crucial for breaking down organic matter effectively.
What should you use instead?
Baking soda and vinegar. Now, while this solution might not work for more serious blockages, it can be very powerful for minor problems.
When the baking soda it sprinkled onto the vinegar, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which makes the solution fizz; both dislodging and dissolving any grime, debris and dirt present. This in turn, helps water to start flowing freely through the pipes again, fixing the blockage.
Here’s how to use baking soda and vinegar to unblock a drain:
- Gather your supplies – get some baking soda, vinegar, boiling water, dish soap, a bucket or similar receptacle and a plunger.
- Get rid of any standing water – if your sink is full of water, try and get rid of as much as you can with a bucket.
- Pour boiling hot water down the drain – mix a few drops of dish soap with the boiling water (taking care not to scald yourself), and pour plenty of it down the drain.
- Pour the baking soda down – you may find it helpful to use a funnel to help the baking soda go directly into the drain.
- Add vinegar – take a cup of white vinegar, and pour it straight down the drain, on top of the baking soda. Wait until it fizzes (which it will), and then place a damp cloth over the drain (or a drain plug) to contain the fizzing reaction, and help it work more effectively. Leave it like this for around 10 minutes.
- Flush with water – as soon as the fizzing has ceased, take a pot of boiling water (again, taking care not to scald yourself), and pour it down the drain to see whether the blockage has shifted. If the water is flowing down, but more slowly than it should, you can repeat the process, or try using a plunger as well.
So, the next time your drain becomes blocked and you reach for the chemical unblocking solution, think twice, and reach for the baking soda and vinegar instead.
