Do not be afraid, unclogging a drain is not such a difficult task. The main thing is being informed and having the right tools. First choose the liquid drain products that can be used with your home plumbing system and try them. Remember that it is not recommended to use some drain cleaners with PVC pipe. This information must be given on the label. Never unscrew a trap with chemicals present and never mix different types of chemicals. Many of them are incompatible with each other.
 Clogged Drain Prevention
To prevent a drain from clogging, a drain strainer is recommended to use. It will trap food particles and hair; collect grease in cans and not allow them be poured down the drain. Useful measure is also pouring a kettle of boiling water down the drain once a week. Boiling water will melt fat and not allow it to build up in the drain. Vinegar and baking soda are also useful against fat in a drain. Try to keep your drain smelling fresh.
Plunger
Using plunger is an old, inexpensive and effective method of opening a drain. With a help of plunger you will break up the clog and allow it to float away. Usually it takes more than a few plunges to unclog the drain. You mustn’t use the plunger if any commercial drain opener has been used before or is still present in the drain.
Grease buildup
For grease buildup dissolve 1 lb washing soda in 3 gal boiling water and pour down drain. Remember to follow the cautions on dealing with boiling water in order not to be burned. If grease buildup is heavy, use a commercial drain opener. Be attentive while reading labels and following the instructions. Commercial drain openers can also be used to clear hair buildup from bathroom drains.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain. Several minutes later pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it. The combination of baking soda and vinegar can break down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. You mustn’t use this method if any commercial drain opener has been used before or is still present in the drain.
Salt and Baking Soda
Pour 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Then pour 6 cups boiling water. Leave it for the night and then flush with water. The hot water should help dissolve the clog and the baking soda and salt serve as an abrasive to break through the clog.
Mechanical Snake (and Garden Hose)
A flexible metal snake can be purchased or rented. It is threaded down the clogged drain and manually pushes the clog away. If used in conjunction with a running garden hose, it can even clear a blockage in the main drain to the street. First crank the snake and feed it into the pipe. Next withdraw the snake and flush the pipe by inserting a garden hose with the water turned on full. With some luck, it may save you the expense of a plumber.
Clearing Heavy Blockage in the Main Drain
Clearing heavy blockage is usually a plumber’s job, as a non-professional can damage the line running out of the house. Heavy blockage can be caused by large items failing into the drains, or tree roots breaking into the drain system. If the problem is with clogs in the main system heavy duty sewer snake should be used. Two types of large snakes can be used in this case - a hand operated or electrical powered snake. These tooles can be rented or purchased.
There are three ways to access a major clog:
1. Lifting the toilet which is a procedure we have already covered will access most of the system.
2. In most newer homes there is an outside clean-out plug to access most of the system. Just locate the cap, unscrew the cover and put the power snake through the system.
3. Through the main roof vent for the entire system. This is the hardest to access and power tools can be a problem depending on the roof incline.
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