As long as the water is drained properly, hardly anyone bothers to keep these parts of the sanitary system clean. Unfortunately, almost every drain in the shower, washbasin or bathtub, sooner or later, will probably clog and will have to be fixed. Depending on what led to the obstruction and how difficult it is to remove it, various means must be used. In the following article, we will briefly look at the methods and tools that can be used to unclog the drain.
WHAT IS CLOGGING YOUR PIPES?
Hair accumulation in strainers and siphons is by far the most common cause of blocked drains. During the day, every person loses a lot of hair, a large part of which is when washing, brushing and styling hair. Some of this hair ends up in the drain. Those that do not stay on the strainer get into the siphon and build up causing the formation of a plug that hinders or prevents efficient water flow.
Another major cause of clogging drains is, of course, soap and dirt deposits. Often accumulated over the years, they settle in the critical elements of siphons and create bottlenecks that hinder the efficient flow of water. If we add the aforementioned hair to it, we have a recipe for a blocked drain.
Kitchen drains are much more likely to get clogged than bathroom drains. Food remnants that go to the sink can very quickly block any siphon or even a pipe, especially on the elbows. Coffee dregs are by far the worst. Coffee grounds regularly poured into the sink can clog it very effectively.
And dozens of other impurities that we meet during washing or after cleaning, such as dust, sand or animal hair.
UNCLOGGING
Fortunately, the problem is well known and we are not defenseless in this unpleasant fight. There are several ways to deal with a clogged drain.
PLUNGER
A simple and cheap device that should be part of the maintenance equipment of every household. If used correctly, it can deal with most easy clogs. Convenient to use because it does not require getting your hands dirty. Keep in mind that the basic principle of using a plunger is to use it with water, not dry. You need to pump water into the drain, not air itself. After a few or a dozen movements, the less resistant blockages should disappear. If this fails, you can resort to chemicals.
CHEMICALS
As we all know, there are some special drain cleaners on the market. Most of them are relatively safe to use for both the user and the pipes. However, it is very important to remember that these are caustic agents and you should follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label. You need to know what materials your sewer system is made of and whether harsh chemicals are allowed. Unfortunately with frequent use of harsh chemical in old installations, leaks can occur in some spots. This is mainly due to aging gaskets and oxidation in joints. Therefore, if our drain becomes clogged more and more often despite the use of chemicals, for example based on sodium hydroxide, you should think about proper mechanical plunging. A more natural cleanser that can be used is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Just put about half a cup of baking soda down the drain and then add the same amount of vinegar. A violent reaction should begin to dissolve and move the pollutants away. After 15 minutes, it is enough to rinse everything with plenty of hot water.
DRAIN SPIRAL
If the clog is really bothersome and the previous methods do not work or give only a temporary effect, it is time to take much more drastic measures. The drain spiral is a simple device that, like the plunger, can turn out to be a useful piece of equipment for a home toolbox. Its use is not complicated, but it can only be used behind the siphon, directly in the sewer pipe. Unscrew the siphon and clean it separately, then simply insert the spiral into the pipe and twist until it is done. If you do not have access to the spiral, a half-measure may be a piece of hard wire (e.g. a wire hanger may be sacrificed). Additionally, by bending the tip into a hook, you can use it to regularly pull the hair through the siphon strainer without having to unscrew it.
