There comes a time in every homeowner’s life when they come across a stubborn drain that simply won’t let water through the way it should. We know it can be frustrating to deal with, so we’ve put together some basic tips for drain cleaning Palo Alto residents should all know of. After reading these tips for drain cleaning Palo Alto homeowners can make use of, be sure to share them with your friends and family via email or social media to help us keep everyone as informed and prepared as possible.
Remember that if at any point you think you need a helping hand or assistance, give us a call and we’ll be happy to send a friendly plumbing expert out to your location to guide you through your plumbing issues. We’re here to help!
Step 1: Always Try a Plunger
Sometimes, you can avoid difficult work altogether with some basic plunger work. Plungers are really inexpensive and can be purchased at any local hardware shop. The vast majority of minor drain clogs can be resolved by using this helpful tool, including clogs caused by tissue paper, waste, hair, and other debris. Some people associate plungers with toilets only, but remember that they can actually also be used on sinks and bathtubs or showers. Pretty hand, right?
Option 2: Things You Can Pour Into the Drain
There are a number of things you can try pouring down the drain to relieve the blockage. Everyone knows that there are drain cleaner solutions sold at stores, but not everyone feels comfortable with using these. Many contain chemicals that a lot of people are simply not ready to use in their home. If you do use a chemical-based drain cleaner solution, be sure to read the labels and instructions very carefully so as to minimize risks and maximize effectiveness. Keep in mind that some drain cleaning solutions are designed for specific types of sinks, and can damage other sinks (i.e. plastic pipes or garbage disposals). Repeated use of these chemicals can damage your plumbing over time.
A more natural solution is vinegar and baking soda. This little home remedy should never be underestimated, as it is inexpensive, safe to use, and eliminates odors as it reduces buildup. Try first pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar, then follow both with boiling water. This trick can relieve many blockages without doing damage to your pipes or exposing your home to chemicals.
Another good preventative mixture is a brine solution, which is simply very salty water. This cheap solution helps prevent grease buildup while also reducing odors. Try it out if you have repeated problems with buildup.
Option 3: The Snakes
A snake is a mechanical metal line that is fed into the drain and physically destroys or dislodges objects that are blocking the pipe. Most snakes sold in stores are insufficient and have a short range. You may want to call a plumbing professional like Performance Plumbing if you’re at this point in your battle again clogged drain, as experts like us have invested in heavy duty, top-of-the-line equipment that we can put to good use for our clients.
Option 4: Call Performance Plumbing
If you’re up against a really stubborn clogged drain, remember that our friendly team of plumbers is fully licensed and boasts years of experience. If the clog is too difficult for you to resolve yourself, simply give us a call and we’ll get things back up and running in no time. There’s no job that we haven’t already seen before, and no plumbing job is too difficult for our pros.
When your drain becomes clogged, don’t get too frustrated. Remember that help is just a simple phone call away, and we’re happy to take the frustration off of your hands because this is simply what we enjoy doing for a living. No matter what you do, don’t overexert yourself in any way that could cause damage the piping or fixtures. Calling us instead can help you save time, frustration and the good condition of your plumbing system.