How To Unclog A Kitchen Sink Drain
Fill the sink with very hot water and leave it for one to two hours. The weight and pressure of the water may clear the stoppage. If not, use a cup plunger to force water through the clog and possibly dislodge it.
If you suspect a grease clog, a mixture of very hot water and vinegar can also help melt and remove the grease thats blocking the pipes. Allow it to work for a few minutes, then use a plunger to help move the clog along. You may have to repeat this more than once.
Clear The Ac Drain Line Regularly
Following all the steps until now will prepare you for an easy remedy to keep the AC drain line clear throughout the season.
An AC drain line clogs due to:
- Dust and dirt mixed with water.
- Mold and mildew growing inside the pipe.
- Algae bloom anywhere inside the pipe.
- Specks of rusted and corroded metal.
You must clear this gunk from your AC drain line regularly. Some opt for a monthly routine. You may choose to clear the pipe fortnightly or whenever you deem fit. The rule of thumb is to clear an AC drain line before it clogs severely, which prevents the natural water flow to the exterior outlet.
There are three solutions to choose from:
- Liquid soap or detergent.
- Distilled vinegar.
- Chlorine bleach.
Liquid soap or detergent mixed with warm water is a safe option. However, it is not as effective as distilled vinegar or chlorine bleach at killing algae, mold, and mildew.
Distilled vinegar is a gentler option than bleach. However, bleach eliminates mold, mildew, and algae more effectively than vinegar.
On the flip side, you must not use bleach if your AC drain line or pipe is copper. Bleach corrodes copper, despite the metals resistance to corrosion. Bleach may also be unsuitable for all glues and primers used for a PVC drain lines joints and connectors.
Here are the steps to keep an AC drain line clear using liquid soap, vinegar, or bleach:
Why Keeping Drainpipes Clean Is Important
When your kitchen and bathroom sink drains become clogged and dirty, its not just a nuisance. Build up within pipes can damage your plumbing and harm your health. Some of the issues of dirty drains include:
- Health Issues. Blocked drains can exacerbate existing problems in a persons health. The additional microbes and bacteria with the potential to grow mold irritates those with asthma, for example.
- Structural damage. Clogging weakens the structural integrity of pipes and can cause them to leak, or breakdown. Some homes may suffer flooding that warps floorboards and rots wall supports.
- Pests. Stagnant water attracts pests like mosquitoes and drain flies.
Clogged drains are one of the most common issues we deal with everyday. Unfortunately, poorly cared for pipes can lead to much bigger problems. Take good care of your plumbing to ensure it lasts a long time. Address clogs when they happen and make sure that your pipes are properly cleaned out regularly.
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Tips To Keep Your Drains Clear
Posted in: Plumbing
Drains are responsible for filtering and flushing away water and debris, whether its food particles down the kitchen sink or shampoo down a shower drain. However, drains often clog themselves in the process of serving this purpose. Common culprits behind clogged drains include:
- Cooking grease
- Hair
- Soap scum
Here are some ways to keep your drains clear and how to dispose of common coagulants.
Professional Drain Unclogging Services
The truth is that while these solutions may help get your drain moving once again, the only way to truly get rid of the problem and make sure it wont come back again anytime soon is to have your drain cleaned by a professional. The Charlotte plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Charlotte have extensive experience handling drain clogs of all shapes and sizes, and can offer you high-quality drain cleaning and clog removal services using state-of-the-art tools and the latest techniques. We take the care and maintenance of your home seriously, and our results-oriented approach goes above and beyond to exceed your expectations and obtain your complete satisfaction.
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Clean Dirty Air Filters Or Replace Them
When you flush and clear the AC drain line, check the air filters and clean them if necessary. An old and uncleanable air filter needs to be replaced.
You should clean all the air filters on the supply and return vents. Make sure you check the filters on the air handler unit and the main return duct to the AC.
Dirty air filters worsen the dust and debris buildup inside the ACs evaporator unit. Thus, the water in the condensate drain line will be dirtier and gunkier, effectively increasing the chances of a blockage in the pipe.
Air filters may need frequent cleaning depending on their condition and the indoor environment. Routine cleaning is exponentially simpler and more manageable than dealing with a clogged AC drain line.
Review The Ac Drain Line Alignment
The first step is reviewing the AC drain line installation, especially its alignment. If the drain line or pipe is misaligned, the other steps in this guide are likely to be futile.
The International Mechanical Code requires an AC condensate drain line to have a minimum diameter of 0.75 inches unless the unit is greater than 20 tons . Additionally, the entire drain line should have at least a 1% slope throughout the layout.
- The minimum slope requirement for an AC drain line in most states is 1.5 inches for every 12 inches .
- Some local codes may require a steeper slope, but the regulations can vary for different types of installations.
- Some properties or installations may require a slope of as much as 3 inches for every 12 inches of the drain pipe.
It is not necessary for you to measure the exact gradient of the AC drain line. However, use a level to ensure the pipe slopes all the way from the AC drain to the outlet outside.
Confirm whether or not the pipe is connected to the primary drain port of the AC unit. The main AC drain line should not be fitted to the secondary drain port unless your installer made a rare mistake. More about the secondary drain port in the sixth point.
Now, the AC drain line will not stay clear if there is any point where the pipe is not sloped, or there is an upward gradient. The only exception is the condensate trap, which I talk about in the fourth point.
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Hometodays 2021 A To Z Stain Removal Guide
You can also try a microbial cleaner, such as Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria. Stay clear of any type of drain acid, James warned. As a rule of thumb, anything you wouldnt want to drink, you shouldnt put down your drain because eventually it ends up in the water supply.
William Harvey Sink Plunger, $11,
Sinks And Lavatories Equipped With Standard P
- If the drain becomes slow or plugs up easily, apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or an organic drain cleaner.
- If the cleaner doesn’t solve the problem, the J-bend in the P-trap will need to be removed for cleaning or replacement. Place a pan or bowl beneath the J-bend before removal to catch spilled water. After removal, plug the pipe going into the wall so that sewer gases won’t enter the home this can be done with a rag or commercial plug. Also, clean adjoining pipes to prevent future problems.
- If an item such as a piece of jewelry is dropped down the drain, turn off the water to prevent loss. Then disassemble the drain and hopefully, your lost item will be sitting in the P-trap.
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Clean Your Drain Regularly
Keeping your drain lines clean is pretty easy when you perform regular maintenance tasks. There are many methods you can use to keep your drains clean and smelling fresh. As mentioned above, you can use clearing solutions, drain traps, mesh screens, and be careful with what goes into your sink drains to help you achieve this.
How Do I Know If My Shower Drain Is Clogged
If your shower drains slowly, and you often find that water stands in the shower for many minutes after youve turned off the faucet, this is usually a sign that your shower is clogged or that a clog is developing. An unpleasant odor emanating from your drain is a further sign of a blocked drain, and may be caused by the debris which is clogging the inner walls of the pipes. A serious drain blockage may even result in bathroom flooding, or leaks developing as standing water may seep through shower joints. Voids in the shower grout or caulking may also allow standing shower water to creep into the walls, causing serious damage.
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Hot Water Is A Great Clog Preventative
This tip is probably the easiest to implement simply run hot water down your drains after you use the kitchen sink. This will help clear out any leftover food debris, and will make future cleanings quicker and easier.
However, if your garbage disposal is the main concern, youll actually want to use cold water. Thats because cold water will keep any grease and oils in a solid state, meaning they can be disposed of when you turn the garbage disposal on. You can use hot water after youve run the disposal.
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Common Causes Of Blocked Drains
To fix clogged drains effectively, you must first understand the root cause of the problem. Here are the top reasons for blocked drains:
- Grease build-up: When grease or fat is poured down the drain, it solidifies and sticks to the inside of the pipes. Over time, it builds up to the point where water cannot pass through.
- Toiletries: When it comes to blocked toilets, nappies, baby wipes, and sanitary products are a common culprit. When such items are flushed down the toilet, they absorb moisture and enlarge. As a result, they end up blocking pipes and sewers.
- Broken pipes: Besides general wear and tear, broken pipes can also be caused by tree roots growing underneath in search of water. When the pipe begins to fracture, it allows dirt to enter and thus becomes more vulnerable to blockages.
- Leaves: Falling leaves can be a major problem for drains, especially after autumn and spring. If leaves are not swept away regularly, they will be washed down your outdoor drains and cause an obstruction.
- Hair: Hair is notorious for blocking shower drains and bathroom sinks. When strands of hair get stuck in your pipes, they also trap other debris washed down your drain. This means water will not be able to drain freely.
- Poor pipe installation: Blocked drains can also be caused by shoddy pipe installation. When the incorrect size of pipe is used or pipes are laid in the wrong way, it could cause problems with the water flow. Learn more about evaluating your home’s plumbing here.
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How To Keep Your Drain Lines Clear
Drains are the gateways to a clean and fresh home. Whether its getting rid of food debris from the kitchen, wastewater from the washing machine, or soap suds from your shower or tub, the drain lets you simply flush the dirt away. Drains can get clogged over time by large waste particles like coffee grounds, chunky food waste, hair, or built-up cooking grease.
Keeping your drains clear and unclogging them from time to time is necessary to keep the problem under control. If left unattended, you may need to call your local plumbers in Long Beach, California, for help. But there are some preventative steps you can take to ensure your drains remain clean and clear.
Baking Soda & Vinegar Drain Hacks To Clean A Clogged Drain
Baking soda and vinegar are not just for the science fair their volcanic reaction produces a powerful cleaning solution that can solve an array of drain problems. These two common household items are inexpensive, plus they do not contain the harmful chemical, sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, found in store-bought clog remover.
If your drain is suffering from a major clog and you need immediate drain cleaning service, find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location to book your appointment online right away!
If you want to try the DIY route first, try these baking soda and vinegar hacks for routine drain cleaning:
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What About The Pressure Created
Lots of readers ask about the pressure created during the vinegar/baking soda reaction and wonder if it will force a drain clog out. The answer is yes and no.
- Yes, when baking soda and vinegar are combined the chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide gas which creates pressure in a closed container.
- No, the baking soda/vinegar reaction created in a drain/household plumbing system does not take place in a closed system so pressure cant build up enough to blast a clog out of the pipes.
You may have seen vinegar/baking soda experiment conducted in a closed container like a balloon or bottle. Theyre an impressive demonstration of the power of chemical reactions. However, its important to note that these experiments take place in a sealed container where the CO2 gas has nowhere to escape.
A household drain system is not a sealed container. From kitchen drain to sewer your pipes hold a much larger volume of liquid or gas than a balloon or bottle, so it would take a lot more CO2 to fill the pipes to a point where pressure builds up. Plus, the CO2 being created byt the baking soda/vinegar reaction can escape though the plumbing vent system, holes in your drain or drain cover, and/or spaces in the clog. Its not air tight!
How To Prevent And Clear Clogged Drains
Knowing how to prevent clogged drains will help keep your plumbing system in good shape. Learning how to unclog a drain will also help you avoid an expensive service call from the plumber.
Clogged drains are a common home plumbing problem, especially during the warmer months when we take more showers. The culprit is often hair that goes down the drain, but its not the only cause. Knowing how to prevent clogged drains will help keep your plumbing system in good shape. Learning how to unclog a drain will also help you avoid an expensive service call from the plumber.
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Collect Your Food Waste
Grinding up food in a disposer and sending it down the drain is convenient, but it can clog drains. A better idea is to collect your organic waste in a container and add it to a compost pile. Many cities collect organic waste for composting, but if yours doesn’t, consider building your own compost bin. Avoid putting meat or other greasy food in the compost bin because it takes too long to break down.
This Simple Trick Prevents Clogged Drains According To Plumbers
This plumbers’ trick helps keep your drains clear and prevents clogs from forming in the first place.
For the most part, I love being a homeowner and prefer it to the experiences Ive had as a renter. But there is at least one big drawback to life as a homeowneryou dont get to call up the landlord when youre dealing with a clogged pipe! -)
Ive faced many a clogged pipe in my life, which is part of why Ive written so extensively about how to unclog drains in both sinks and toilets. But it recently occurred to me that I havent devoted much time to exploring how to avoid clogs in the first place!
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Clogs are entirely preventable, and its much easier to prevent a clog than it is to clear one out. So today Ill be sharing some highly useful tips that will help you keep your drains clear and clog-free! 🙂
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How To Clear A Slow Drain With Baking Soda And Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are common household products you can use to clean a lot of things. You can also clear a slow drain with baking soda and vinegar with the help of hot water. Youll want to pre-measure the baking soda and put them in the bathroom or kitchen where you will be clearing the drain.
Heres how to clear a slow drain with baking soda and vinegar: