Most people’s first instinct is to use caustic drain cleaner from a store to solve a clogged drain issue. However, we strongly recommend against using your average drain cleaner. These types of cleaners work by melting the debris within the drain to clear the clog.
The problem is the drain cleaner can’t distinguish between organic matter and your pipes. If your pipes are old, the drain cleaner will likely eat through those pipes. This will cause further damage to your property.
DIY Drain Cleaner Methods
Instead of using chemical drain cleaners, we recommend trying some of these easy tips:
ENZYME DRAIN CLEANER
Enzyme drain cleaners are organic substances made up of non-corrosive enzyme-based formulas. These products use bacteria and enzymes to eat through any organic matter in your drains. These products tend to be more expensive and slower than your typical drain cleaner.
But they are much safer to use on your pipes, and some are nontoxic. However, these substances are best used before your drain clogs, not after. They’re a great preventative measure against the formation of many clogs. But once the clog forms, you’ll need other means to get rid of it.
BOIL WATER
Once your drain clogs, the first thing you should try is pouring boiling water down the drain. You can do this every few weeks to prevent drain clogs as well.
Hot water will melt any soaps or fats sitting in your drain. This allows them to liquefy and proceed further down your line and into the sewer.
SNAKE YOUR DRAIN
If that still doesn’t clear the issue, the next step is to snake your drain. You can do this with an old wire hanger or by getting an inexpensive drain snake from your local hardware store.
A drain snake will dislodge and pull out any material in your drains. You can pull out as much debris as possible and throw it in the garbage can to dispose of it. This step tends to be gross and messy, but it gets the job done.
