Tips & Tricks to Effectively Clean Your Drains

We’ve all gone through the vicious cycle of cleaning out a drain only to hear that gurgling sound the next day. While it’s always best to hire the team at Winters® Home Services to quickly and safely clean your drains, we understand that you might want to give it a try on your own first. Below are a few tips and tricks to help you efficiently clean your drains.

Use Hot Water

This method is commonly overlooked but may be your best bet when it comes to cleaning out your drain. Flushing pipes with hot water can get rid of buildup and gunk. By using water pressure, force and heat, you can say goodbye to your clogged drain! Make sure to run the hot water for about 15 minutes.

Use At-Home Tools

You might have tools laying around the house that could unclog your drain such as a sink plunger. This item has been designed specifically for sink applications. All you need to do is cover the drain opening and use continuous motions to press back and forth for 1 to 2 minutes. Be sure not to jam the plunger down as many people are prone to using too much force, too quickly. If you have a conventional sink, then you’ll notice an overflow vent which needs to be covered beforehand.

Wet & Dry Vacuum

For those of you with a wet & dry vacuum, this could be a very useful tool to unclogging drains. It must be set to vacuum liquids and the vent should be covered. The seal should also be tightened over the drain and make sure to put the vacuum at the highest setting.

While there are other ways to clear your drain such as using dish detergent, salt and baking soda or other over the counter cleaners, these can leave a mess. Before tearing apart your kitchen or bathroom looking for ways to clear your drains, contact Winters® Home Services. We work in the Greater Boston Area as well as several other counties in MA.